Sega talks about easy Super Monkey Ball iPhone development, praises power of Apple's device

Sega Mobile joined a cadre of iPhone developers yesterday, hinting at a number of games in development for the device. The first of these project is Super Monkey Ball, an extension of the long-running series exclusive to Apple's iPhone.

We chatted via phone with senior producer Ethan Einhorn, following his presentation yesterday about the game, as well as iPhone development in general.

"It's pretty amazing what we were able to come up with in only two weeks of development," began Einhorn. Development kits for the iPhone have only been made available since the middle of February, at which point Sega Mobile instigated work on Super Monkey Ball.

Two weeks isn't much time to pull together a demo but Einhorn insisted, "there's a surprising lack of challenges in developing for iPhone � it's a powerful device."

Rather than approaching iPhone development from a mobile or handheld standpoint, Einhorn contended the philosophy behind Super Monkey Ball is more in line with a console game. "For the first time," he confessed, "we're able to create an authentic console experience in your pocket." Slides from the presentation show remarkably vivid graphics that back his claim of "console-like visual quality".

Beyond taking advantage of the iPhone's graphics processor, the game promises to give the accelerometer a good workout. Einhorn confirmed the game will be controlled exclusively by means of tilting the device, which is hardly surprising. "Super Monkey Ball is a perfect fit for the device," he reasoned of the game dynamic that invoves guiding your monkey-in-a-ball pal to the end of each treacherous stage. "It's cool to play, to be tilting the whole world in your hands."

When questioned about potential visibility problems related to moving the screen, Einhorn assured us "it hasn't been a problem."

Despite the game's loving embrace of the accelerometer, it won't be utilizing the touchscreen, though. "We want to create as robust an experience as possible and that means capitalizing on the accelerometer."

As for gameplay modes and features, Einhorn wouldn't divulge any specific details. The same applied to the question of connectivity to which he replied that it was something Sega Mobile was exploring, but would discuss at a later date.

No release date has been set for Super Monkey Ball.