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The Rumour Mine: EA social gaming, Crystal Defenders 2, Suikoden Pocket Tactics

Softcore versus hardcore (we mean games, of course)

The Rumour Mine: EA social gaming, Crystal Defenders 2, Suikoden Pocket Tactics
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iOS

As more people have started playing games, a debate has emerged about the distinction between casual and hardcore.

It's a distinction that ultimately matters little, particularly on iPhone and iPod touch where it seems games are played by all sorts of people.

Hero of Sparta II may seem hardcore, but surely casual gamers might take an interest in hacking some mythical demons to pieces. Similarly, how many hardcore gamers have been caught plunking down mojo to speed up crop growth in We Rule?

Aside from the embarrassment, it's indicative of the vibrancy of the iPhone and iPod touch library: there's a bit of everything for everybody. Even more, everybody seems to play a little bit of everything. That's certainly true of today's trio of games.

EA Mobile considering a move into the FarmVille, We Rule space

Don't look so surprised. EA contemplating a move into the social gaming space isn't much of a shock given the publisher's acquisition of Playfish. The social gaming gurus over there have been mulling a potential entrance to the iPhone and iPod touch market with something that could rival the likes of FarmVille and We Rule.

While there's no definitive evidence that EA has a social networking game in development, it seems only a matter of time. The rise of the genre over the last few months makes it highly probable that the publisher will want to experiment with a title or two.

The question is: how will EA differentiate its social games from what Zynga and ngmoco are offering? Gamer complaints about heavy-handed in-app purchase in ngmoco games leaves an opening for EA to provide a competitive alternative.

Perhaps EA will offer something completely different. A social FIFA football game or online Need for Speed instalment could really shake things up. Whatever ideas are being thrown around at EA, expect a move to compete with social gaming giants in the near future.

Crystal Defenders 2 universal release on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

Crystal Defenders
Let's be frank: Crystal Defenders wasn't just a bad game, it was a stunning disappointment. Here was a great idea - a Final Fantasy-themed tower defence game - deflated on account of poor execution.

Alas, Square Enix wants to make things right with a sequel, naturally titled Crystal Defenders 2. In short, it promises to be bigger and better than the original, with enhanced graphics, appropriately balanced levels, a reasonable level of difficulty, and general improvements that eschew the clunky characteristics that plagued the first game.

As far as new units and enemies are concerned, I'm told that the focus is less on adding new elements and more on fixing the mess created by the original. A new character class or two will make it in, as well as some enemies from the newer instalments of the franchise - however, the emphasis is squarely on making amends with a highly polished sequel.

Even better, Crystal Defenders 2 will be a universal game for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. That means you can purchase one copy of the game and play it optimised on all three of those devices (if you own them). I don't have definitive word on a release date, but my guess would be end of this year.

Konami considering new Suikoden RPG for iPhone

Suikoden TacticsHardcore role-playing series Suikoden hasn't had the best fortune over the years, but Konami may very well give it one last college try with a turn-based tactical instalment on iPhone and iPod touch.

Suikoden Pocket Tactics would be the first appearance for the franchise on a mobile device, though not the first time on a portable. 2009's Suikoden Tierkreis for Nintendo DS met praise, although it didn't exactly light up the sales charts. Konami might have a better chance with Pocket Tactics.

Turn-based battles are an excellent fit for iPhone and iPod touch, as long as the depth for which the series is well-known appears in concert. A combination of straightforward tactical combat and in-depth character customisation could make it a serious contender against Square Enix heavyweight Final Fantasy Tactics, which is scheduled for release on September 15th.

No hard release date has been set - in fact, Konami is still very much deliberating about even developing the game. Hopefully it'll decide to take the risk because Suikoden Pocket Tactics could address a desire for a good original tactical role-playing game.