Apple exec calls iPod Touch the 'future of gameplay'
by Ross Miller 
{ Nov 13th 2008 at 7:00AM }
Beyond the interface and the wireless App Store, Joswiak said, "The 3D graphic power here [iPod touch] is significantly greater than what you have here [picks up Nintendo DS]. So this allows people to do significantly higher quality games."
It all sounds well and good, but Joswiak doesn't address the pink, polygonal elephant in the room: the games themselves. The platform and hardware is great, but Apple's catalog doesn't yet have the muscle nor brand recognition that's driving sales of the PSP and the Nintendo DS (whose Wrestling name, we might add, is "The Money Printer").
It's worth noting that a recent study by the NPD Group suggests smartphone (and particularly iPhone) gaming is growing dramatically. Check out our comparison chart of the DSi, iPod Touch and PSP Brite.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kassu @ Nov 13th 2008 7:17AM
Make something that has buttons and then try to appeal to gamers again.
Morisato @ Nov 13th 2008 9:05AM
You people obviously dont realize what the future holds. Once my x-ray contacts come in the mail, I'll be able to see through my fingers as my screen acts as both a viewing space and interface.
Cruxis @ Nov 13th 2008 7:20AM
definately not,
i have an ipod touch and work in a specialized apple reseller, the games on the ipod will never be able to compare to the games on the DS and PSP
the controls are a major issue. The fact that the ipod touch has no buttons forces the games to be much simpler and much less fun. the end result are a bunch of games that you might play once just to try and then never again afterwards
3D Graphic Powa!?! @ Nov 13th 2008 7:22AM
No you are the past. There are no buttons or any form of dpad. The ipod touch is bested by the Game Boy Color and old school Tamagotchi devices.
"Oh but you can just use the touch screen!"
Using the touch screen like buttons is like playing piano without keys
Without any decent controls on the touch, Joswiak is significantly senile.
MuToiD_MaN @ Nov 13th 2008 12:31PM
Not to mention his a ridiculous name. I mean, come on!
Abscissa @ Nov 13th 2008 4:51PM
Apple has an uncanny ability to convince themselves that tactile feedback is something to be avoided. I bet they're convinced that the reason their touch-sensitive scroll mouse flopped was because they think having more than one button was too confusing to their Mac users (Then again, it probably was...)
JonEthan @ Nov 13th 2008 7:35AM
As a first gen touch owner, I think it's POSSIBLE, but only with games that are very different from the norm. Something like the Phantom Hourglass would work decently on the touch. If you try to adapt the touch to play more traditional games it'll fail; if you adapt games to play on the touch it's more likely to succeed.
bob @ Nov 13th 2008 7:36AM
games on iphone are crap, will always be!
Greetz Bob - http://www.james-bond-quantum-of-solace.com/
Abscissa @ Nov 13th 2008 4:49PM
+1 for a very, very true comment
-2 for being on joystiq for the sole purpose of spamming
Noshino @ Nov 13th 2008 7:38AM
ill trooper,
As you can see, this is one of the reasons as to why I mentioned those points as to why I don't see the Iphone as a viable platform for "hardcore" games, Apple fanatics thinking that Apple products are always far better than anything else out there.
I'm sorry I couldn't answer you on the last thread, so I'll do so here
"First, it's a different market that can co-exist with the handheld market."
I never said it couldn't, I just said that the market it is aiming for is one well secured by the DS
"Second, a developer could make their game for both."
Well, yes a developer can indeed do that, but then they would have to compromise things for one or both of the versions, why would you do that when there is already a market for your game on the DS and/or PSP?
"Third, the iPhone platform is something you can actually do yourself at home, and then submit for approval to hopefully get on to the AppStore. There is no cartridge manufacture, distribution deals, or any of that stuff that you would have to do to get a game on the DS. You go directly to the market."
But both the DS and PSP have online stores as well, no cartridge/UMD manufacture, no distribution deals, or any of that stuff as well. See, this is where Apple HAD the upperhand, but they both caught up quite fast.
"I don't know why some people don't like to imagine a world where someone might carry their iPhone more often than their DS or PSP. If it doesn't affect you, don' worryboutit."
Once again, I'm not saying it can't coexist, I'm just saying that the market it is focused on is a Nintendo market, Sony gained a lot of ground on the handheld market by doing the right thing, not competing directly against Nintendo's handheld.
Not only that, I don't see anything groundbreaking about the system that can't be replicated in either one of the other 2 systems.
ill trooper @ Nov 13th 2008 12:11PM
OK, first, I haven't yet posted in this thread. I don't agree with the sentiment of the exec or the joystiq post.
And if you're going to quote me, have the decency to put it in context so it makes sense. You are taking my points from a post regarding games and game quality on the iPhone/Touch platform out of context here.
Here's the original thread, with what was written by DarthBuckets yesterday:
"The lack of quality titles for iPhone and a huge install base leads to an exploitable market. Downloading SDK..."
...to which you replied:
"Not really, see, the problem is that the iPhone's outstanding feature is touchable screens, but the DS also has that, not only that, the DS is a much better device when it comes to gaming alone.
So why would a developer want to make something "big" for the iPhone, when it could be much better on the DS and cater at a much greater audience? And because of that, if you want to pay for a bigger/better game on the iPhone when you could just spend a bit more and get a much better experience with the DS?
You see, the iPhone is going to have a tough time on the handheld gaming market since its direct opponent is the DS (and Nintendo just kicked Apple in the nuts by including the online store)"
...to which I replied with the above items you quoted.
Why drag my answer to another topic into a more hostile nonsensical post and make me look like I approve of some crazy Apple exec's statements? I don't agree with the idea of the iPhone being a better game device than a DS, but I do think that the platform is a viable gaming device, and a better option for adults who would never consider buying a DS to carry around.
Respect the context, Noshino.
And in closing, when you say "Not only that, I don't see anything groundbreaking about the system that can't be replicated in either one of the other 2 systems" I can only respond: the iPhone is a telephone, a better internet browsing device, and a better media player. Also a smaller, more portable device. These are compelling factors for people not focused on the benefits of a DS.
Noshino @ Nov 13th 2008 12:47PM
ill trooper,
I do respect the context, hence why I wrote
"I'm sorry I couldn't answer you on the last thread, so I'll do so here"
I'm sorry if you found it offensive that I didn't include all the other comments, but I thought you already knew what it was about
I know you don't approve this exec's statement, but then again, who would?
My point is, if someone is looking to buy a hardcore game, do you really think they would buy it for iPhone instead than for PSP/DS? I really doubt it
"These are compelling factors for people not focused on the benefits of a DS."
But other than the telephone feature (not counting skype that is) those are also matched by the DS and PSP...and we are talking about machines that are over 3 years old...
phobic99 @ Nov 13th 2008 7:42AM
An Apple exec says an Apple product is the future.
More at 11.
Premature ejaculation man @ Nov 13th 2008 7:43AM
Premature ejaculation man calls Apple exec 'silly'
Ethan @ Nov 13th 2008 7:43AM
Well it's certainly not much like gameplay right now.
John Z @ Nov 13th 2008 7:51AM
Apple, you know I love you and all, but just please stop. You're embarrassing yourselves and your customers when you say stuff like this. I love my iPhone but there is no way in hell you are going to convince me that it's anything other than a communications tool that can also play some simple games. Unless and until you partner with a company that knows gaming and knows what players want, you're not going to be a part of the portable gaming market at all. Sorry, but it's the truth. Here's a tip: Sega is not who you should be partnering with.
And backstabbing the people you DID partner with, by releasing their games only on the "previous gen" iPods, isn't going to make you very many friends either. There's no reason why Phase or Song Summoner can't be on the iPhone, so let EA and SE port them!
Honestly. Between these and the Hodgeman ads, you're making it really hard to like you (hardware notwithstanding).
Top Cat @ Nov 13th 2008 8:01AM
ummm...no apple, just no
Obie @ Nov 13th 2008 8:16AM
I like the ipod touch, it has nice graphics and an instant download service. The only think lacking is a solid interface, but good designers can work around it quite cleverly.
Ranus Studios @ Nov 13th 2008 8:17AM
Man. I was mad about getting stuck with a PowerPC monster just before the Intels came out, but now Apple is just being arrogant.
[.sm0ke.] @ Nov 13th 2008 10:10AM
Wait... they're JUST NOW being arrogant?
pasta @ Nov 13th 2008 8:36AM
This is just like MS calling the Xbox 360 the future of gaming, or Sony calling the PlayStation 3 the future of gaming. Or Nintendo calling the DS and Wii the future of gaming. No real shocker there.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Nov 13th 2008 12:00PM
The future is made of parallel universes and alternate realities yo.
Somewhere out there, the NGage and the Gizmondo are ruling the Earth.
iofthestorm @ Nov 13th 2008 1:01PM
No, this is like Verizon calling their shitty cellphones the future of gaming.
Mr Khan @ Nov 13th 2008 8:38AM
Hmm...
The question of whether it will be a threat to the DS and/or PSP is really a question of market stealing. Will the iPhone be the Wii, a platform that can pull in the same market and a completely different market at the same time, or will the iPhone just be "the king of MOBILE gaming" but never really make that jump into HANDHELD gaming
Kspraydad @ Nov 13th 2008 8:41AM
This makes me sad.
arrakisman @ Nov 13th 2008 8:55AM
Touch screens are fun and all but there is a reason why the DS is two screens. Its because I can't see the screen with my hand in the way. Maybe I need smaller hands.
Josh @ Nov 13th 2008 8:59AM
"Beyond the interface and the wireless App Store..."
Erm, the interface is what kills the iPod Touch for gaming. Motion control, first of all, is completely useless if you want any kind of accuracy, and is only interesting as a novelty. And not having the tactile feel of real buttons is awkward at best, and completely frustrating at worse.
ugotamesij @ Nov 13th 2008 9:05AM
This is shocking, how wrong can someone be? Playing four defenders so tightly packed in the penalty area? You'll be giving their wingers and full backs free rein down the flanks...
Oh, and DS > iPod (for games).
Viridium @ Nov 13th 2008 9:14AM
Jobs + Wozniak = Joswiak?
JRM @ Nov 13th 2008 9:16AM
It seems like both a gaming and communications device (i.e. cellphone) is the holy grail of portable/mobile systems. But I don't think we're there yet. Neither Nintendo, nor Sony, nor Apple are able to do it. Heck, the Ngage came closest so far, and we all saw how that failed.
For now, it is far too impractical to even consider that holy grail of a system. you have to think of battery life, the cost of a service plan, an interface that can both dial a number and play games really well, not to mention developer support that can make amazing games. Basically, it would have to build on the strengths of all 3 and we're just not there yet.
deaftly @ Nov 13th 2008 9:32AM
Considering all the games on my iphone are terrible, Apple, just stfu. Touch screen only controls are teh suck.
Kspraydad @ Nov 13th 2008 9:55AM
All of us/you that are bemoaning the control issue of the touch...we/you were all the same people bemoaning the Wii's waggle.
(I don't like either...just pointing something out)
deaftly @ Nov 13th 2008 10:17AM
At least the Wii has the option to use buttons. Even playing pacman on the itouch/phone is terrible.
Noshino @ Nov 13th 2008 10:22AM
The thing is, the Wiimote does have buttons, and Nintendo didn't only implement motion sensing on the Wiimote, but also IR pointer which has proven to work rather well.
Unlike the Wii, the iPhone doesn't have precise controls.
Kyle @ Nov 13th 2008 12:25PM
When I read the title I thought "Hah, yeah right..."
It would be interesting if Apple got into the handheld gaming business. The iGame.
God. No no no nono. Any gaming system with an "i" in front of it wouldn't get a dime from me.
Joe @ Nov 13th 2008 10:22AM
In some ways it is. Like the nice app stores and supporting homebrew and having both a motion sensor and touch screen opens up so many ideas for games.
But at the end of the day the iPhone is that just a phone. So until the iPhone gets real buttons for gaming it will nothing more.
Plus by the time Apple does get there handheld console ready the PSP2 and DS2 will be out.
WorMzy @ Nov 13th 2008 10:33AM
Ha! Dream on Apple. Your sub-standard hardware has no place in the gaming market. Go back to making shitty Operating Systems and never rear your ugly head again plzkthxbai.
Marty @ Nov 13th 2008 11:01AM
The number of iPhone users who are gaming on the platform is growing? No shit - the platform has barely been out for a few years. I'm sure the number of people gaming on Android is growing as well.
These people always talk a big game, but they rarely deliver. I don't expect the iPhone to ever be a serious competitor in the handheld gaming market because gamers don't want to switch phone plans, carriers, and hardware just to play crummy touch screen / accelerometer games.
kaneda @ Nov 13th 2008 11:44AM
I don't own an iPod or iPhone. To you owners out there that are also gamers, do you think that this is a platform that is good for non casual games? And to be clear, lets define non casual as a game your grandmother probably can't/won't play.
EMaster @ Nov 13th 2008 11:44AM
Somebody tell the Apple Exec to pick up a DS lite or a PSP. Mmmkay?
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Nov 13th 2008 12:01PM
TACTILE FEEDBACK PLZ
Alien Lord @ Nov 13th 2008 12:12PM
When will apple get it shit sucks and will never be a game system, even that piece of crap PSP is better.
343 Guilty Fart @ Nov 13th 2008 12:37PM
Got a DS already, kthnxbi
Robert @ Nov 13th 2008 1:53PM
This Joswiak guy is a nut-job. Steve Jobs himself has publicly admitted his disinterest in gaming. Apple keep on blow'n the smoke (my ass was getting cold anyway) because until we start seeing games of the same quality or better on the iSystems, they really don't stand a chance. Monkey Ball is not a killer app.
adam @ Nov 13th 2008 3:12PM
if apple wanted to they could make an add on with buttons and a d-pad (like 3rd party devs are doing) ... kind of tacky, but I think it's the only way they will have a shot.
alex roberts @ Nov 14th 2008 3:21AM
wat makes me laugh is that he compares the graphics of the iphone with the nintendo ds, and its true the ds doesnt have as good as graphics (love u nintendo ds), but did he completely forget about the psp lmao the psp has alot better graphics then that shit. death to iphones
DBuck_Eye @ Nov 13th 2008 3:36PM
"The 3D graphic power here [iPod touch] is significantly greater than what you have here [picks up Nintendo DS]."
Oh right, because lack of processing power is why Nintendo is definitely not rolling in dough while Sony and Microsoft can't make enough systems to support the demand.
Superstar90 @ Nov 13th 2008 4:07PM
I'd say something intelligent, but I'd rather not waste my time.
Durr... LOLZ IPHONE!
Seriously, it can't even do pacman right... has anyone else tried it? Most broken shit ever.
Abscissa @ Nov 13th 2008 4:40PM
If I didn't already hate Apple and their products, the sheer arrogance of this alone would do the trick.
"The 3D graphic power here [iPod touch] is significantly greater than what you have here [picks up Nintendo DS]. So this allows people to do significantly higher quality games."
Blatant non sequitur, FTL. Such complete ignorance of gaming (not to mention Apple's typical "Jobs"-ian douchebaggery) is exactly why Apple will never amount to shit in the gaming world.
WiredKnight @ Nov 13th 2008 5:10PM
'Course he would.