Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 (and the upcoming Windows Phone 8 ) have always been incredibly interesting platforms to watch for those of us into smartphone gaming. Just like Web OS, I really don’t see Microsoft building up enough steam to become a serious competitor to either iOS or Android. However, also like Web OS, Windows Phone 7 and 8 are home to a whole host of cool features that I (likely somewhat foolishly) have my fingers crossed in hopes that they eventually dribble down into iOS somehow. Specifically, the way Windows Phone 7 integrates Facebook is really slick, and I promise if you spend some time with one of the devices you’ll find yourself saying, “Huh, that’s neat" several times. Adding Nokia hardware to the mix only makes things more interesting, although, again, we’ll have to wait and see how the market reacts.
Sadly, one potential nail in Windows Phone 7’s gaming coffin is the complete lack of Unity support. In a recent interview with Develop, Unity CEO David Helgason explained that Unity won’t be making its way to Windows Phone 7 due to the closed nature of the platform, although support for Windows Phone 8 is being looked at. Windows Phone apps and games need to be either be based on XNA or Silverlight, and getting Unity on the devices would require an exemption to this rule, which Microsoft has decided against.
Just like Web OS, Windows Phone has seemed to be a promising candidate in turning this two horse smartphone OS race into a three horse one, but I’m not sure that’s possible without Unity, as the engine has become a major player in mobile gaming. When you look at the best games of the Android marketplaces, they’re almost all utilizing Unity. Take those away, and, well, you’ve got the Windows Phone Market.
I could get up on my soap box here and go on about how competition breeds innovation and all that jazz, but I think we’re all well aware of that. In today’s market, third party apps are vital to the success of any mobile OS, and it’s sad to see Microsoft taking this approach with Unity. Windows Phone owning gamers are losing out, as are developers that have existing Unity projects that could be quickly and easily ported to the platform- Especially since quick and easy porting is among the greatest strengths of Unity.
[Develop via Pocket Gamer]
sigh
Sigh?
im sick of free to play, racing games, and shooting games. So yes..for me *sight*
sight
oh come on, ,you know what i meant. sometimes your fingers hit incorrect buttons.
haga, no worriea
worriea
oh come on, ,you know what he meant. sometimes your fingers hit incorrect buttons.
haga, no worriea
How about flying slowly through a green haze of nothingness, a kryptonite fog, where rings pop in from a clipping plane mere yards ahead. And you, the Man of Steel, must fly through these rings, for none of your fantastical powers can save Metropolis, nor your best buddy, Jimmy Olsen. Your ice breath cannot slow the rings march, your heat vision is useless against their minimal polygon form. Your strength finally fails you, as a ring slips past your tights-streamlined body. Your frail form tumbles through the cavernous void..
Years later, Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne have become good friends, bonding over their loves of expensive mechanical gadgets and civic improvement. Should the topic of you comes up, they awkwardly fumble for a bit, and quickly shift the subject. Those were awkward times for Lex, it's best to just leave those dogs lie.
That's a Real Superman game, baby!
extraction looks like a possibility, but can't tell what kind of a game it is, xcom style or a stick shooter... rest is not for me.
edit: ah, seems to be fruit ninja meets strategy... i guess i'll stick to skyrim.
Instead of trailers, could we get screenshots on these "preview" posts with a link to see a video if it's available? I like to scroll down and see what's coming out, and like many people... I judge a book by it's cover.
It must be so hard clicking "Forum Thread," which leads to the screenshots for each game.
back2this
You must have missed my 2nd sentence.
"I like to scroll down and see what's coming out, and like many people... I judge a book by it's cover."
I want to scroll down and see everything WITHOUT clicking on anything. I don't want to click to start a video, I don't want to click over to the forums. I just want to quickly see a screenshot of the games coming out.
But you know what Sean... it's just a suggestion. No need to get your panties all in a wad.
Some people are also on mobile devices, and YouTube videos don't always work for iOS users.
a trailer IS the cover, the screenshots are the synopsis on the back of the book.
if you're not into racing games or shooting games or freemium games,
my word game SpellTower also releases tonight www.spelltower.com
(previously I made Halcyon, Bit Pilot, and Unify)
thanks for adding spelltower guys!
Eli, I have no clue what you mean by this statement:
"I have no doubt that Snoopy won't do just as well as Smurfs did."
Silly double negative. Are you saying Snoopy is as popular as The Smurfs?
Surely the Smurfs are universally disliked because of their annoying songs, whereas everyone loves Snoopy.
Got that right!
Oh look more dual stick shooters. That's obviously what the world needs. Maybe some more castle defense games too. We could also use some more fremium games, not enough of those. FFS.
Extraction doesnt have duel sticks. It more like Cannon fodder and Syndicate. You tap where you want to move and drag over enemies in the order you want to shoot them. Have a look at the reviews in the app store, people appear to be getting it.