Japanese developer Kairosoft was as surprised by the reception of the English iOS port of Game Dev Story as you were by its quality. “It made us happy to know that people had the same feeling about game making," the developer told us in a recent interview we conducted in collaboration with App Bank, “imagining a game that you liked playing, developing it inside [an actual] game and enjoying looking at the sales records." But as veterans of the game are aware, success necessitates a sequel — there’s no time to be surprised or enjoy the fruits of triumph. So, yes, we’ll see Game Dev Story 2 in the US for iOS at some point, Kairosoft confirmed with us. Just not “soon."
“We will be developing a sequel, but we are not planning on releasing it soon," a spokesperson at the developer said. “We are thinking of improving the game by adding elements of networking in the sequel, such as sales score rankings and sending employees to a friend’s company, etc."
Because of the language barrier, the history of the Game Dev Story franchise has been hard for us to pick up on. Here’s what’s important: The original game, the one we just played this year on iOS, was released for the PC back in 1996. Game Dev Story 2 was released for the PC in, roughly, 2000, meaning that Game Dev Story 2 iOS will be a port just like the original Game Dev Story was. It’s not a “new" game technically.
As for what’s holding up a Game Dev Story 2 for iOS? At least one other simulation game, one that tackles a well-known genre: the City. “The next iPhone App will be a CMS game like SimCity, where you touch to scroll, zoom in/ out, etc," Kairosoft said.
And chances are we’ll see this game as a localized release, much like the original Game Dev Story. In fact, Kairosoft said it would “like to release English versions" of all its upcoming iOS titles, of which there are many according to the Kairosoft website. Obviously, we’re stoked to see whatever they have in store for us, though nothing can come soon enough. Someone get those guys some Red Bull already! We need something to do at the gym.
[Translation work was generously provided to us by Yasuaki over at App Bank. Thanks so much, sir!]
If I had an iPad this would be great. The iPhone screen is too small for these games so it wasn't very fun.
Love the SimCity games, but I won't buy it till they change that green interface! It makes me sick :p
Same here. Not digging the green UI.
{shrugs} ..I kinda like it. And they didn't say it couldn't be changed. I'm gonna have to show this to my iPad owning friend. I'm sure we're both gonna be buying it. :)
I was skeptical when I read the article, but the video convinced me that this is a HUGE improvement over the iPhone version. Somebody spent a good deal of time on that interface. I still miss hills and mountains, but I suppose that's still too much to ask for the iOS devices. :(
Ah we're getting there! This does look like much more like a port of simcity pc for the ipad rather than a port of sim city iphone for ipad. Floating windows I like, and those menus. Bit concerned at the size of that city when zoomed out though... Seemed small
So, decent version of sim city? Looks that way, so now we just need a decent implementation of command and conquer, and a port of Transport Tycoon Deluxe and that's my personal PC hall of fame accounted for
I played the original iPhone version and wasn't a big fan. The city disappeared when you would zoom in and out, placing things was annoying on the small screen and the menus weren't great.
This actually looks pretty nice though.
Yah, this looks a lot more like a port of simcity 4 than the iphone version. Very cool.
Reason Number 2 I wish I had an ipad :)
I always enjoyed the transportation aspects of the PC Sim City games most. Unfortunately, this iPad version doesn't appear to add boulevards, freeways, tunnels, high speed trains, or even flippin' diagonal roads. I don't see any of that in these shots or video. Bummer.
I'll buy it. I wish The Tower (SimTower) would finally get a US release...I'm really looking forward to that.
I think they can improve the iPhone/iPod Touch version - just add more real estate! And how the heck to I get the megamall? LOL :-)
The bar(s) you hang out at for these demos seem a lot more interesting than the ones
in my area...
Looks like the map size is still horribly small, unfortunately. Not much room to build.