Post-Console era? id Software’s Carmack: Mobile to surpass current gen game consoles

[Bernard SG]

Physical controls on the Nintendo DS are a major selling point for kids. If Apple wanted to destroy Nintendo DS they would make a game-version of the iPod Touch with real control buttons, but that would go against the Jobs/Ive aestheic of unibody design.

I was thinking about that too, that Apple could easily make a gamer's iPod Touch and kick ass. Especially, when you consider how piss-poor is the NDS UI and OS (I have not checked the 3DS yet, though).
On the other hand, I'm not sure that physical controls would remain a selling point for long. Kids nowadays are growing with the iOS-type UI and controls (accelerometer, touch...)

I've just purchased Infinity Blade for iPad and it's quite impressive. The touch-based controls still have some quirks but it's really getting there. I've never been a gamer, never owned a console nor thought about getting one, but having iOS devices brought me to play games on them. People like me who are going to buy games for a casual use represent a huge potential market for game makers that they can't reach through specialized consoles, so there's a great possibility that mobile platforms, especially iOS, will quickly become the priority for game developers.

 

[31 Flavas]

No tell you the truth you can not make the same argument. The limited size I am refuring to the 4in screen. All the games for 3.5-4.5 in screen. The mirror is not exactly relevant.

You have 3.5-4.5 inch screen that has to house controls, and the game itself. No matter how you slice it that is a major limiting factor.

Really, the 4" screen is absolute in it's limiting-ness? It wouldn't be possible to AirPlay the game or HDMI mirror to a 55+" HDTV? It'd be a 1080p signal, so its not like you are limited in screen real estate. That's the same size available to a PS3.

Edit 2: If it's physical size you want, you can go with an iPad instead. But, that's rather moot seeing as the screen isn't the only way you could ever interact by. Take for example ...

9to5Mac says with iOS 5 it would be possible to connect a bluetooth keyboard to a 2nd gen Apple TV. Hm... what else exists in bluetooth form. Bluetooth Mice? Game pads / controllers? No. This couldn't possibly be an avenue that mobile games could ever mature into or at least have as an option. Mobile have to be pigeonholed to the $0.99 Angry Birds sort of game.

But, no, I get it. What Carmack is saying has to be dismissed and derided. It's inflammatory to those people who feel that console gaming is where it's at. Similar "attacks" on PC gaming incite the same feelings. Take, for example, Infinity Ward removing "dedicated server mode" from the PC version of Modern Warfare 2.

Edit: Or, of course, the success of the low powered Wii and DS systems over the powerhouse consoles and PSP.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I won't believe it until Steve says we're in the post console era.

 

[decafjava]

I won't believe it until Steve says we're in the post console era.

Hahaha. Seriously there have been a lot of good creative games coming out for idevices, and the small size of iphone and itouch screens has not been a disadvantage for games designed for it. I think touch screens have potential that has yet to be fully explored.

 

[Liquorpuki]

Hahaha. Seriously there have been a lot of good creative games coming out for idevices, and the small size of iphone and itouch screens has not been a disadvantage for games designed for it. I think touch screens have potential that has yet to be fully explored.

The thing is none of those games match the experience you can get through a console or handheld.