Alright, most, if not all of us in the destructoid community own cellphones of some age and advancement. I work for a Canadian Cell provider and am contemplating how well a cellphone would sell if it was formally designed for videogames. Now at this point I don't mean a goddamn N-Gage let's be clear, that was a failed attempt by a veteran manufacturer. I want to know what would it take for you to buy a cellphone that was set up to change games without having to remove the battery each time, or if it had a hot-swappable memory.
My vision for a gaming phone is similar to an HTC P4000 in design (google image search will show you it) with the slide out keyboard for slightly advanced digital controls, and a spot for either memory card or cartridge ports. Also the advanced screen and technology like the accelerometer in the newer MP3 Sony Erickson phones, or even in the Wii remote would allow for different styles of mobile game play.
Let's be honest, many of us are still a little subconscious about cracking out a DS lite, or PSP on the bus or at school, on a phone it would be more incognito, and therefore more comfortable for the gamer. What about a windows based phone that comes out of the box ready to link to your Windows live account and Xbox live Gamertag to give you marketplace and friend updates? Tell me your ideas!
So here it is.
1. Who do you think should make it?
2. How much are you willing to pay?
3. Should they be big budget developer games or more Indy based?
4. Would you use it more than a DS or PSP? Or did the PSP and DS corner the handheld market?
5. Or do you think this answer already exists in the iPhone or Chinese made Meizu M8?
Not to burst your bubble but I'd really rather keep my gaming and my cell phone seperate other than a simple tetrsi game on my phone. I'm fine with using my DS in public and have actually amde friends by whipping it out, my phone is for calling them.
@Cowzilla3 Hey, I'm totally on your side in the matter, I wouldn't own a DS if I didn't, but the reality is they're selling many more than we're seeing in our everyday lives, so someone out there has to be hiding their Big N love. I play pokemon at work when it's slower, thanks for the reply man.
I honestly wouldn't be too interested myself... when I game on my cell phone it's quick time wasters, and most of the time I just break out my DS instead.
But is that because of what it is? Or because of what the medium is limited to? This is very interesting to see that the two technologies are becoming distanced and distinct.
I haven't played any games on my cellphone ever since I was suckered into that miserable Oblivion port. Cripes that was terrible. Move your purple rectangle down. Bump it into other purple rectangles for THRILLING COMBAT!! Levels change when the solid background color changes!
Yuck.
However, the first phone with a full QWERTY keyboard that comes with a MUD client will have me as a subscriber for life. I know the Sidekick has a downloadable telnet client, but I've never had the opportunity to try it.
That P4000 I mentioned does come with Wi-fi which could give mobile gaming a kick in the pants forward. Do you guys think there's been no good games because of lack of interest? Or that good games just can't be put onto something you call home with?
I agree that it is interesting that technoliges distanc ethemesleves. I think people want their toys seperate for some reason. The whole one box one entertainment center has been an idea for a while and it sitll hasn't taken off either. Kind of strange.
I think good games certainly can be done on a cell phone, it's just I'd rather play my regular handheld. I want my cell to be small and cheap, and in order to get good controls you'll kinda need a larger phone. Plus the network charges, cost for downloading the games, yada yada... just don't feel like going through that nonsense.
For the kind of person who wants to invest a lot in their cell phone, I can see them being interested. Just not my cup of tea personally.
Yes Colin, I did mean self conscious, I'm at work and typing quickly, I didn't catch that spell check typo.
@ Yashoki -I don't think it's shame a lot of people feel, but there does still seem to be a bit of stigma attached to handheld gaming, how many of you can honestly say you never felt even a little embarrassed when a hot girl, (or guy whichever for the ladies out there) walked by and saw you playing one?
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about me
Always a fanboy to Nintendo, but never a blind eye to the online of Microsoft. Worked at a true small videogame store called Microplay (rest in peace..) for 4 years, love the DS and the Wii, and the 360. They form the triad of gaming power in my life as of late. If I grow a third kidney I might consider selling it for a ps3, but more than likely I'll spend it on Wii and 360 accessories instead, they're less noisy.
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
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Not to burst your bubble but I'd really rather keep my gaming and my cell phone seperate other than a simple tetrsi game on my phone. I'm fine with using my DS in public and have actually amde friends by whipping it out, my phone is for calling them.
@Cowzilla3 Hey, I'm totally on your side in the matter, I wouldn't own a DS if I didn't, but the reality is they're selling many more than we're seeing in our everyday lives, so someone out there has to be hiding their Big N love. I play pokemon at work when it's slower, thanks for the reply man.
I honestly wouldn't be too interested myself... when I game on my cell phone it's quick time wasters, and most of the time I just break out my DS instead.
But is that because of what it is? Or because of what the medium is limited to? This is very interesting to see that the two technologies are becoming distanced and distinct.
I haven't played any games on my cellphone ever since I was suckered into that miserable Oblivion port. Cripes that was terrible. Move your purple rectangle down. Bump it into other purple rectangles for THRILLING COMBAT!! Levels change when the solid background color changes!
Yuck.
However, the first phone with a full QWERTY keyboard that comes with a MUD client will have me as a subscriber for life. I know the Sidekick has a downloadable telnet client, but I've never had the opportunity to try it.
That P4000 I mentioned does come with Wi-fi which could give mobile gaming a kick in the pants forward. Do you guys think there's been no good games because of lack of interest? Or that good games just can't be put onto something you call home with?
If you're ashamed of having a DS then why even own one? =/
Phones are to call people, handhelds to game.
I agree that it is interesting that technoliges distanc ethemesleves. I think people want their toys seperate for some reason. The whole one box one entertainment center has been an idea for a while and it sitll hasn't taken off either. Kind of strange.
"many of us are still a little subconscious about cracking out a DS lite"
Don't you mean 'self conscious'?
I think good games certainly can be done on a cell phone, it's just I'd rather play my regular handheld. I want my cell to be small and cheap, and in order to get good controls you'll kinda need a larger phone. Plus the network charges, cost for downloading the games, yada yada... just don't feel like going through that nonsense.
For the kind of person who wants to invest a lot in their cell phone, I can see them being interested. Just not my cup of tea personally.
Yes Colin, I did mean self conscious, I'm at work and typing quickly, I didn't catch that spell check typo.
@ Yashoki -I don't think it's shame a lot of people feel, but there does still seem to be a bit of stigma attached to handheld gaming, how many of you can honestly say you never felt even a little embarrassed when a hot girl, (or guy whichever for the ladies out there) walked by and saw you playing one?