Tag: Mobile Gaming »

It's almost December, which means that the festive period at the end of the year is almost upon us. You've probably already done some shopping. Or, if you're anything like us, you've tutted about people who've already done their shopping. But we thought you might like some help getting prepared for the holidays, which is where this article comes in.

We're going to update it regularly with everything you need to know to make sure you spend the holidays in the finest mobile gaming place the world has ever seen. Every Wednesday we're going to be adding some new tips, tricks, deals, and more, as well as linking out to all the other festive content we're going to be creating.

Since the holidays are all about friends and family, we'd love you to join in. Got your own questions, comments, or ideas? Then please do let us know in the comments section at the bottom of the article. We might even get you a present or two, in the form of replies.

We've already had a look at the ways we've seen mobile gaming change in the first six months of 2018, so now it's time to have a look forward, into our digital crystal balls, and ponder what we'd like to see more of in the next six months of the year. After all, that's the sort of thing we love to do here at 148Apps.

These are suggestions rather than predictions, but if they happen to accidentally become accurate predictions, then we're going to be just as happy as everyone else. Obviously if you've got your own suggestions, stick them in the comments section all the way down at the bottom of the article. Before you do though, let's get on with our list.

We're half way through the year, so here at 148Apps, we're dedicating July to looking back at the best, and worst games that have come out in the first half of the year, and looking forward to some of the delights that await us on the mobile gaming horizon.

First up, we're going to have a look at some of the games that have disappointed us in the first chunk of 2018. It's not that they're bad games, it's just that they didn't live up to the lofty expectations we set for them, for one reason or another.

Don't worry though, we'll be taking a more positive look at the year-so-far in other pieces, so it's not going to be all doom and gloom. And, of course, if you disagree with us on anything here, make sure you let us know in the comments at the bottom of the article.

Why is there such a buzz around XCOM: Enemy Unknown arriving on iOS? Sure, It's not just a high-quality title, but it's also a current-generation console and PC game that is being brought to iPhones and iPads. But why does this buzz exist? Why is the mobile gaming community excited about getting to play a game that already exists on multiple other platforms?

I believe it's because mobile gamers not only want to play core games like XCOM, but they also want them to succeed because they want more of them. The mobile market just hasn't been the friendliest environment so far for the kinds of experiences available on consoles and PC. Developers and publishers have been scared away from making either ports or even original core games thanks to the pricing race to the bottom, despite hardware becoming more technically-capable of handling core games. $19.99 is cheap for XCOM, but not in the wider context of $0.99 and free-to-play games that are so prevalent on mobile.

It feels hopeful to see promising titles take a blowtorch to the current system. The mobile market should be able to support games worthy of higher prices as well as the lower-cost indie titles and the free-to-play games, in a similar way to what Steam has done. That service is not the most accessible for indies, and it still reinforces the archaic notion of 'publishing' in a digital distribution system. Despite the drawbacks, at least it's possible for games at smaller price points to thrive along with the big-budget, big-price games. Mobile gaming is largely beholden to the free-to-play (or almost free) pricing scheme.

Providing additional hope for core games on mobile is the promise of gamepads. There are going to be some core games that just aren't going to be great on touchscreens. Sure, it's possible to create passable interfaces for many games, but many games are just plain better with physical controls. Hello, Grand Theft Auto 3. That Apple is making physical controls a possibility, and with the sleeping giant that is TV gaming via the Apple TV lying in wait, core gaming feels like it is nearing takeoff on 'mobile' platforms.

With this movement, there is definite potential for drawing in core gamers who have rejected mobile gaming. If they see that mobile can support the kinds of games they love, then perhaps they'll give the platform its just due. On the flipside, I think that mobile gamers want to see their platform of choice become accepted. Is it insecurity? Perhaps to a small degree, but there's no reason for this platform to be so disrespected.

Sure, the gaming handhelds have tried to provide core gaming experiences while on the go. But there's just so much less creativity on those platforms because they're not completely open to all developers yet. The Vita's getting to that point with Playstation Mobile, but its single-use focus means I don't see a need to carry it around with me at all times when when my iPhone is just more handy. I can use that to do everything, including playing games. But what reason is there for my iPhone to not have the kinds of games that I can have on my Vita and 3DS?

Mobile gaming is great, and it's opened up avenues for new types of games and for new types of gamers. Yet there's no reason the core gaming experience, and those that enjoy it, shouldn't be welcome on mobile too. So yes, get excited about core games like XCOM coming to mobile, and support the worthy ones, because it can lead to more great games coming to mobile, and that's a very good thing.

This week at 148Apps.com was all about the red, white, and blue as we celebrated the 4th of July. Writer Lisa Caplan contributed to the festivities with her list of Favorite Four apps for Independence Day. She writes, "It’s July 4th, so we hope most Americans are out celebrating and reading this on an iPhone or iPad or between activities. But if you are still looking for apps to help make the day even better, we’ve rounded up four of our favorties that commemorate everything from US History to the traditional BBQ for you here."

See Lisa's complete list at 148Apps.com.

GiggleApps stayed on a vacation theme with its review of Miny Moe Car. Reviewer Amy Solomon says, "Miny Moe Car is a charming and fun simulated driving app that toddlers and children in preschool will enjoy. I have always been a fan of this type of toy, both as an arcade game as well as a simple children’s plaything. I remember when my son was just a year old, I bought him the most realistic driver I could find – a toy he still enjoys today. A search on iTunes will find a few applications of this type that mostly show a POV from the driver’s seat of a car or other vehicle. This is also the case for this application which does a really nice job of recreating the driving experience for toddlers."

Read Amy's complete review on GiggleApps.com.

And finally at 148Apps.biz, Carter Dotson reported on a new study revealing the iPad as the number one gaming platform. Dotson writes, "Tablets and phones are vastly different devices. This seems obvious, but in reality, they really aren’t: the difference between the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2 is basically different sized screens. However, the way that users, especially gamers, use the two devices is still dramatically different, according to PlayFirst, via Pocket Gamer. Tablet users are playing more games than phone users are, and they’re spending more on games."

Read the full report at 148Apps.biz.

That's the end of this week's happenings, but there's always more news, reviews and contests headed your way across the 148Apps network. Just follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook to keep track of all the goings-on. Until next week, enjoy the fireworks!

Market Research company Newzoo has just released some pretty interesting facts when it comes to mobile gaming revenue, namely that Apple is dominating the market with 84% of the revenue coming from iOS devices, rather than Android.

The evidence comes from a survey of 17,000 individuals and taking data from the top 200 grossing games in the iOS and Android marketplaces.

It also found that in the USA, mobile gaming grew from 75 million to 101 million players across all platforms, with 69% of players using a smartphone and 21% on tablets.

In that time, paying players have grown 35% to 37 million, with individuals paying 5 times more money in iOS games than with Android.

Much of the in-app purchasing success of iOS titles has been attributed to the "seamless purchase" experience as Newzoo's CEO Peter Warman explains. Ease of use, after all, makes everything seem so much more appealing and tempting.

All signs point to these figures only increasing in the next year, with the success of the iOS platform far from peaking just yet. It remains fascinating to see how the uptake of smartphones and tablets is changing the games industry.

[Via: CultofMac]