While we had generally considered the iPhone and iPod Touch to be one cohesive platform, as games have started to push the boundaries of these devices, it has become apparent that there are differences in performance between the different models.
Handheld Games Corp‘s CEO Thomas Fessler has reported to Touch Arcade that performance of their 3D TouchSports Tennis game [App Store, $4.99] is noticeably different across models. TouchSports Tennis delivers some impressive 3D rendering (video) and required optimization specifically to run consistently on every device.
Our first step to increase fps performance was to introduce hardware dependent levels of detail. Where we can easily display two 1500 polygon tennis players with 32 bones each on the iPod touch 2G and maintain fast and fluid game play, the original iPod touch just chokes, and in some instances so do the iPhones. To speed up the touch, we reduced the players to 800 polygons in farther away moments of gameplay, and are now using 1000 polygon models for close ups, bringing the original iPod touch game play performance level close to that of the iPhone 3G. We’ve taken this approach across the board with great results.
The most clear difference is that fact that the iPod Touch’s processor was quietly boosted to 532MHz (up from 412MHz) with the 2nd generation model introduced in September. Meanwhile, the iPhone 3G, Original iPhone and 1st Generation iPod Touch continue to run at the original 412MHz. Though not the intended purpose, this video from Handheld Games Corp shows that the app load time of the 2nd Generation iPod Touch is notably faster than the 1st Generation model.
It seems that there are additional factors, however, as there are performance differences even found between the models that run at the same speed. The models rank in the following order (fastest to slowest) for 3D rendering, with the 2nd Generation iPod Touch being the fastest “by far".
#1. iPod Touch 2nd Generation
#2. iPhone 3G
#3. iPhone (original)
#4. iPod Touch 1st Generation
Due to the heavy 3D nature of his game, Fessler speculates the GPU speeds could have been tweaked as well, but there is no hard evidence of this at this time. Due to these findings, Fessler even says he would not recommend anyone interested in gaming to buy a used 1st generation iPod Touch.
Our in-depth look at the iPhone’s internals, “Under the Hood: The iPhone’s Gaming Mettle," has been updated to reflect this new information.
wtf wtf
booyah, grandma
This is huge. I just hope that this game doesn't get overhyped to the point where it is just setting itself up for disappointment.
As it stands now (pre-hype stage), the developers already have their work cut out for them for trying to live up to its past console releases.
Godspeed.
Blake,
You last words couldn't have said it better. If this is true this will help to solidify the iphone as a gaming console. If anyone can push a system to the limits it's Hideo, as his games push gaming consoles into their upper limits. We will truly be able to see the true quality of iphone gaming possibilities. Maybe all the naysayers will be put to rest once and if this game is released.
Holy crap. Will follow this with interest!
Well, all game consoles need the almighty "Killer App", the one game that becomes a system-seller. I don't think we have that killer app on the iPhone yet.
This could be huge.
Never played a MGS game till from beginning to the end but I'm curious...
If it turns out to be good, I'll buy it!
For me, though, the first Killer App for the iPhone is going to be released on the 18th ;)
I really love the MGS series and hope this is true.
Not even a half year in & we're seeing these titles
That's amazing
It won't be long untill we start seeing comercials from the makers stating that the games their advertising is either exclusivley or also for iPN/iPT
I beleive it won't be untill that point that iPN/iPT will have an actual spot in the console field.
Were deffinatly starting to see which makers are tied to which platform.....this power struggle among makers and consoles has happened before....some only made games for sega and others only for nintendo.
I remember once telling my friend sonic the hedghog will never be on a nintendo game....however time changes everything, and we all know what time equals. $$$$$$$$
it's so huge
oh. my. god.
Something which has already something like a release date from Konami: At the end of december Konami will release "Silent Hill: The Escape" for iPhone/iPod Touch:
http://www.konami.jp/produc...
I just hope this isnt' some kind of over hyped misreadings..maybe people will take this platform more seriously once more people start to see the potential..and the more (We) become serious about this then the sooner more Devs will as well! I just wish they would have some big meeting or some kind of sit down with Apple, Dev's, and us..so they can see the masses and we can get so many questions answerd!!!
Blake, have you actually played the Metal Gear games? I wouldn't expect it to bring any "quality fighter action," since the core values of the Metal Gear games have always been stealth, strategy, and bizarrely messed-up plots. Combat has always been a last-resort measure in the games.
http://www.touch.konami.net...
Well, well. Look at that.
smgschwind and nielsk both posted that link at about the same time in the forum.
Wonder if it's by Ideaworks3D? They were doing the BREW version of MGS while I was there. If it's in theirs, or Kojima's hands then all should be well with this one.
I wonder if the Blackberry storm will be making a break for the gaming market
With touch and click it might give a little more button options where iPhone only has touch.
I haven't read any proccessing spects on it but I hope it doesn't try to give iPhone a run for it's money, because then i'll be kinda sad/torn.
But just think if you swiped/tapped, pressed and tilted that would give you a little bit more wiggle room as far as gaming goes
One of iPhones biggest hurdles kepping it from hitting the gaming platform status has been lack of buttons..eventhough dev's have worked around that with intuitive ways
We might see Nintendo vs. Sega all over again
Oh well, Konami confirmed it!
Now the waiting begins!
http://kotaku.com/5112011/k...
It's scares me a little because blackberry took it's time on this one. They didn't just churn out some touchscreen iPhone wannabe-they did there homework played with iPhone, listened to iPhones customers likes and dislikes.
I really hope it's stays where it is but it might be a seriouse contender:(
Wow...can't believe it. MGS is pure gamer heaven :)
This would be a HUGE! And I'm sure THEY won't wreck it!
THIS GAME WILL ROCK!
IT WILL LOOK LIKE LEGO BATMAN YES!
BRING IT TO ME!
.......not to mention the Android OS
One things for sure '09 mobile devices are gonna be life changing...literally
I can't help but think of my grandmother concidering the invention of the phone had been discovered just before she was born-she loves the iPhone:)
wow wow I am typing this from my iPhone and I can't believe my eyes..... This is the best damn news ever I am playing Metal Gear Solid 4 and I been a fan bought every game.... day 1 purchase
FYI, it is on the offical Konami site now:
http://www.touch.konami.net...
Sorry late news, there would be also the DDR S Lite and another frog road crossing game whose name escapes me for the moment...
I just came a bit in my pants.
I hope this isn't going to be something like an On-Rail-Shooter...
Would be pretty disappointing...
Hope this will contain a lot of Stealth-Action-Elements...:)
Can't wait to see this in motion...
metal gear solid is amazing tbh, this is pretty massive news, i saw people asking for tony hawks pro skater, mario, etc and thats pretty ambitious but now it looks like theres more hope of big titles coming to iphone/itouch
i hope they do a good job of this one
What I can't believe no one has mentioned on here is that according to Konami's site, DDR, Frogger, and Silent Hill are all still due out THIS MONTH. Only MGS is "Spring 2009". Whoa.
YES!!!
YES!!! O M F G YES!!!
I"M ABOUT TO HAVE A FIT!!!! OMG OMG OMG
BRING ON THE J-GAMES!!!!
and...omg
i still can't believe it....SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!
OMG OMG OMG
Yeah, AND WTF NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THAT SILENT HILL AND KONAMI STUFF ARE COMING OUT....WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anyway i don't care...SNAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaKE!!!!
DS KILLER JUST CONFIRMED AGAIN!!!
OMG OMG !!! SOMEBODY MAKE ME CALM DOWN!!!
M G S
IPHONE
O M G
SNAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaKE!!!!
Great to see Konami jumping aboard the fine ship Apple.
PES on iPhone would be nice. :D