Circuit Strike.One team discuss the best features of iPhone 3.0 update
Social gaming, ratings system and peripherals top the list
With the highly anticipated iPhone software update only a couple of hours away, the CEO of H.Grenade, which developed techno-shooter Circuit Strike.One, Shay Casey, has been talking about the benefits these particular looking forward to in 3.0.
“The new OS 3.0 from Apple is an amazing opportunity to open up the iPhone as a more viral and social gaming platform. Push notification will be incredibly important for any game developer moving forward," explains Casey.
He continues: "The next biggest impact I think will be downloadable content. Will we see a ton of $0.99-to-play MMOGs with a long term commerce system.
Publishers and developers are rightfully nervous that the App Store is like the dime store of software. Does DLC help with that impression amongst the industry or is it going to hurt it further? Only time will tell.”
Chris Byatte, director of the game's publisher, Chillingo, agrees.
"The scope for Chillingo and its game development partners to push the more heavy-duty gaming titles like CS.ONE forward will literally boom overnight when the upgrade hits," he says.
"I can honestly see iPhone gaining ground at an accelerated pace on the established handheld gaming formats: not necessarily eating into their market, but co-existing and offering feature-benefits only possible on an iPhone or iPod touch. This is a significant milestone for consumers and developers.”
The extra scope awarded to developers and publishers in creating new games within 3.0 framework isn't only found in technical improvements, however. currently games and applications must be suitable for anyone, of any age, able to pick up and press a button on the iPhone. Up until now, this has ruled out the possibility of more mature titles.
“The thing I am most excited about is the rating system," says Shay Casey "Now Apple doesn't have to worry about offending anyone by offering mature games. Grand Theft Auto could not have happened in the App Store even if Rockstar were interested, which was too bad considering the amount of "explicit" tracks available in iTunes.
"Personally, I really hope that the market will start to shift away from cute, boring stuff and on to games with more risk and more reward. It can't happen soon enough, if you ask me. We’ve really been campaigning hard and getting a superb response from titles like Circuit Strike.One.”
Chillingo's Chris Byatte agrees: "“OS 3.0 is significant for us in many respects, and compounded with tomorrow’s launch of the 3G S. Its release has been well orchestrated and, more interestingly, is highly anticipated by consumers.
"What this will hopefully mean is a faster uptake of the upgrade in the UK, and less ‘dumbing down’ for game development to allow for older OS and different handsets - something that has consistently held back the wider mobile gaming market.”
And the potential for hardware improvements isn't just coming from Apple. Accessories and peripherals will have a far greater access to the handset's systems, and promise lots of opportunities for additional hardware according to Casey.
“The other interesting development for us if the opportunity for great peripherals with the Stereo Bluetooth for expanding the experience, like a pair of VR shades with an IMAX style surround screen and noise canceling headphones," he ventures.
"Sell that with a wireless true six-axis dual thumbstick controller that you could use by touch alone and the iPhone could achieve a level of immersion not yet seen in gaming, and not just on a mobile platform.”
The 3.0 upgrade is expected around 6 PM UK time this evening (June 17), and can't come soon enough.
