Tag Archives: Apple

Could Train2Game students develop games for an Apple console in future?

Posted on by
Reply

Apple Train2Game

Train2Game students are very aware that Apple’s iPhone is one of the best platforms to start in the games industry. The App store provides a portal for small independent developers to distribute games to a very wide audience, and some like Cut The Rope go on to be very, very successful indeed.

(Games Industry consultant Nicholas Lovell recently told Train2Game about how indie games developers can distribute their games)

There was a time where nobody would have expected a mobile phone produced by Apple to become such a force in the world of mobile gaming, so what else could the company try their hand at? Well, according to EA Senior Vice President Patrick Soderlund Apple could develop a games console and challenge Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation.

CVG asked Soderlund if Apple were to move from mobile gaming into mainstream gaming, if they could challenge the established giants. The EA Vice President replied:

If it was anyone but Apple, I’d say that’s going to be very hard,”

“I still think it’s going to be extremely hard for them but they’ve surprised many people before.

“Look at what they did with the iPhone, right? They are a truly brilliant company so I would give them a relatively good chance to succeed if they tried.”

In October, there were rumours that Apple were going to purchase one of the giant games companies, while Nintendo boss Reggie Fils-Aime is on the record saying that Apple are the biggest threat to Nintendo.

Naturally, if Apple did decide to produce a games console of their own in the future, it could eventually provide another platform for Train2Game students to develop games for.

So Train2Game, do you think Apple will attempt a move into mainstream gaming in future? If so, do you agree with the VP of EA that they could actually succeed?

As usual, you can leave your thoughts here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

The iPhone 4G could provide a Train2Game student with their big break.

Posted on by
1

June 24th 2010 is a big day for mobile video games, phone applications and Apple fans in general. Why? Because on that day the iPhone 4G is released, and not only will it continue to revolutionise mobile communication, but it’ll also continue to expand the opportunity for playing quality, well developed, video games on the iPhone.

The iPhone 4G will introduce a number of enhancements over previous models, including “improved camera system and battery life, as well as an updated version of the iOS operating system, designed to provide more flexibility for developers.”

That last bit is likely to be most appealing to Train2Game students, be they a Games Designer, Games Developer or a Games Artist & Animator, as the continued advancement of the iPhone technology means it’s easier than ever to get a video game published. Apple themselves say they approve 95% of Applications within a week.

iPhone games are getting more and more popular, especially with old classics such as Final Fantasy and Monkey Island now available for the handset. Twenty years ago you would have needed a state of the art games system in your room in order to play these. Nowadays you can enjoy these almost legendary titles wherever you are, be you on the train, at the park or *ahem* in the bathroom.

The choice and quality of games available for the iPhone can only improve, as according to Apple, “4G’s gaming applications will be superior to previous models due to the addition of a three-axis gyro, which will allow for a wider array of motion control options.”

Many of the biggest gaming news websites have already taken note of the potential of iPhone games, including GamesRadar who run an ‘Iphone game of the day’ feature’ which showcases a variety of games that people can easily go onto download from the iTunes store at generally low prices.

The advantage for developers – like the Train2Game students – is  iPhone games can be developed for a relatively small amount – and bought for as little as 59p – but if the game proves popular it can really jumpstart a career in the games industry. There are a number of tales out there about iPhone game developers who have been very successful through this medium. Perhaps a Train2Game student will one day a make a name for themselves in this way.

So, who’s excited about the iPhone 4G? And who’s ready to attempt to developer a game for it?

As usual all comments are appreciated. Either leave them here or on the Train2Game Forum.

Welcome to Steam Mac users!

Posted on by
1

So, the date that Valve’s digital distribution service Steam will be released on Mac’s has finally been revealed. On May 12th, Apple users will finally be able to join PC gamer’s in spending countless hours not only playing classics such as Half Life 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2, but a wide variety of independent titles as well. (Perhaps one day Train2Game students will see their work released through Steam!)

So, what does the release of Steam on Apple systems actually mean? Well, firstly it’ll allow staunch Mac users – you probably know one…the ones that refuse to use Microsoft products – to play a wide variety of quality games. Now, I’m not a Mac user but some of my best friends are and on countless occasions I’ve had to hear them complain about either the lack of decent games available on Mac’s or the fact that they appear to be a lot more expensive than PC games. Hopefully the release of Steam on the Mac will leave these chaps with nice warm feeling in their tummies.

So, will the introduction of Steam onto Mac’s have any benefits for the traditional PC gamer? Well, if you only own a PC then probably not. But if you own say, both a PC and a MacBook, the digital distribution service means not only can you install your games on both systems, but it’ll also allow you to play on your PC then pick up where you left off on a Mac. It’s therefore probably a good thing that I don’t own a MacBook then…that’d cause another crippling addiction to Football Manager for sure.

Now, quickly moving on before I have a relapse:… Another that the introduction of Valve’s digital distribution service to a new system will have, is that Mac gamers will be able to play online along side their PC gaming counterparts. There won’t be any form of segregation, it’ll be Mac and PC owners living peacefully together  as they attempt to shoot each other in the virtual face. Sure, you might get the odd pro-Mac or anti-Microsoft spray in an online game,  but that’s hardly going to cause World War III. Or are some of you out there  that are really, really against including Mac users in your games?

So there you have it Mac users, you have just under two weeks to wait before you get to join the largest digital gaming community around. And PC gamers…make them feel welcome will you?