Gaming: Lessons from the Apple Fall Music Event Pt. 2

September 8, 2010 | By rush24

Click here for Part 1

Games are by far the most popular apps on the IOS ecosystem, accounting the majority of paid applications on the platform. With that in mind, Steve jobs announced the official availability of of Game Center in the IOS 4.1 update. This will be a central hub for all things gaming. It is a complete reaction to the upcoming Xbox live hub on Windows Phone 7 which is not only superior by the virtue of Xbox Live being around and perfected for a few years, but also just look the graphic representation of the two hubs above, Xbox live wins hands down. The avatar customization on the Xbox gives the users an deeper level of personalization that the IOS can only dream of.

During the Apple event, Mr. Jobs mentioned a statistic that Microsoft should take seriously. The iPod touch outsells the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP combined! I have been a strong advocate for a Zune HD 2 device here and here just to name a few. This is Microsoft’s chance to dominate the mobile gaming market if they can pull their act together and make it happen!

Other companies are also jockeying for positions with Sony rumored to be partnering up with Google to bring the PlayStation Network to their Android phones and the recent news of the departure of longtime Xbox live veteran Andre Vrignaud to Amazon. One rumor from blogger msftnerd, claims that Amazon is looking purchase the cloud based gaming platform Onlive which does make sense with his expertise after being on Xbox live for 8 years. I for one think Amazon’s strategy will mimic the Kindle with a platform agnostic platform.

No matter what happens, I think MS has an upper hand because of the ability not only to target the phone, but the Xbox console, PC, future tablets, slates and of course the Zune HD2. In a Pocket Gamer interview (a must read) Andreja Djokovic, CEO of Babaroga, a company involved with bringing games like Tiger Woods PGA tour 2009 to the Xbox, goes into detail to explain this advantage. Here are some choice quotes…

What opportunities does Windows Phone 7 have to offer?
Windows Phone 7 has many opportunities and advantages for us. Not only is it easy to develop for – with a very low ramp up time – but there is also the element of Live and Xbox 360 integration.The platform specifications read like something you would expect from a handheld gaming platform, and we’re excited for the chance to show what we can do with it.

Do you think Windows Phone 7′s emphasis on games will give it an advantage over other smartphones?
Absolutely. I think that this has the potential to put Windows Phone 7 ahead of the pack. With Windows Phone 7, the limiting factor in game design resides with the designer, and not the physical limitation of the platform. If you can dream it, you can do it…

I will not give it all away so please be sure to read the entire interview. It will give you a sense that truly what we have seen of WP7 so far is just the beginning!

I know that Microsoft maybe hesitant in bringing out a Zune HD2 sooner as this two great articles here and here try to explain but I think it will be a wasted opportunity if they don’t. The advantages far outweigh any OEM concerns and it is in fact a plus for them because Zune HD2 users would naturally migrate to a WP7 device if and when they needed the 3G/4g capabilities offered by phones. When it comes to gaming Microsoft may just have what it takes and to quote Mac enthusiast John Gruber…

I’m also loath to write off Windows Phone 7. What if WP7 is a best-of-breed mobile gaming platform?

Game center image credit 9to5mac.com

About Rush24

Rush24 loves everything Microsoft and is fascinated by the influence of technology in everyday life.

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Tagged windows phone 7, wp7, zunehd 2

ooo

game center is a tramps version of xbox live. its a joke.

microsoft confirmed that wp7's xbox live games will be able to play against xbox 360 consoles and Windows PCs in realtime and turn based games, its the best ecosystem in the world.
majg

You should consider, also, the fact that MS has several first-party studios.

- Lionhead Studios
- Rare
- Turn 10
- 343 Insustries
- MGS proper
and some others.

That gives them some of the 'nintendo' edge provided they can continue to push out quality titles. Man, I would love me some form of mobile Fable, Halo, Banjo Kazooie, Viva Pinata, Forza Motersports, Perfect Dark, Age of Empires, MS Flight etc etc
qmt49

Except, of course, that Apple hasn't actually outsold Nintendo and Sony combined. Apple has 120 million iOS devices out there, and obviously the iPod touch alone has sold less than this total. The Nintendo DS sold 130 million units and the Sony PSP sold 60 million units. More bullshit from Apple, but what else can you expect?

chinch

Apple's numbers are indeed silly but if iPod Touch does indeed outsell Nintendo/Sony (worldwide i doubt that but whatever) this pretty much guarantees a Zune Reboot using WP7 minus phone.

It's also a reason why Windows Phone 7 should have a better/catchier name (two syllables max.) that goes with the phone and non-phone player.

OOOO

there is no zune reboot. the zune team was split up after the zune HD launched. Zune hardware people work for windows phone team and assist with hardware designs, and the zune software team work under the media center/xbox team.

chinch

zune device team is useless.

bet the farm there will be a zune reboot which i'm referring to a wp7 device without phone/contract. For gaming alone this is obvious as 2+2=4. I'd also wager microsoft will sell it as a micrsoft device (won't compete with carriers and will be marketable in all stores where "zune" looked silly iPods).

hopefully it will remove the "zune" name too
Manny

Microsoft does not make the hardware for WP7, therefore designers for the hardware do not exist. A zune reboot does make sense.

Manu

The ipod touch absolutely does not outsell the PSP and DS Combined. Maybe within a specific timeline (the month after a new hardware refresh from apple perhaps) but not lifetime for sure.

Additionally, Game Center won't be compatible with 1st Gen itouches and 1st gen iphone and iphone 3G. It requires a 3gs or a 4.
Paul

Some debunking numbers here:
http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/friday-slide-fac…

Paul

It may be a pale imitation of Xbox Live currently, but it was also pretty effing smart generally as especially as a preemptive move to steal some of WP7’s thunder. As is the position in mobile gaming that Apple has staked out in just three years starting from nothing. Hopefully MS can reel back a little momentum by tying WP7 to Xbox, but they still face a awfully uphill battle given mobile share for MS versus Apple or Google. And on the Zune HD2, isn't it really too late for that? I mean I have an older Zune, like it, and much prefer Zune s/w to iTunes, but let's get real. MS has less than 4% share in media players. Zune HD2 isn't going to change that, no matter how good. Zune hardware has unfortunately become a punch line. Their only play left there is via the phone market and their mobile OEMs. Unless of course they do something really stupid like buy RIM.