Loose Threads: Tying up loose ends...

We've had some cracking banter on Loose Threads over the last year or so, but like the best of parties, it's the whispered gossip that goes on after you've supped your last and left that really causes the memory to linger.

We've covered loads of topics that have since either drawn attention from those that simply sat by the sidelines during the first round of discussion, or coaxed one of the original participants into revisiting and reflecting with the benefit of new information.

Tellingly, the topics that seem to have drawn the most attention are those concerning how pocket gaming is evolving and what what we should expect from the future. With that in mind, we've decided to limit this round-up to the threads that focussed on this subject the most.

The first topic 'Will the iPhone cut it as a games device?', has become especially pertinent in the weeks since the App Store's launch. Reopening the debate was one of the original posters, Mandark, followed closely by a newer face (to the topic anyway) hunter_alien:

Mandark

"Update: 6 months later and that's a definite yes!"

hunter_alien

"Well I managed to play a good couple of games on it and I have to say it's okay. Not more, not less. Still the wow effect was far less than what the DS/PSP managed to have for me. It just feels to basic as it is, the control scheme IMO is still not good enough to take over the handheld market as a leader and at this point, with all the crap the App store is getting. I'm afraid that many, truly amazing games will be forgotten and will become financial bombs.

"There are still many ways the iPhone can go, but to be honest at this point the only thing that could convince me to give it a second look would be a stellar RTS game like Starcraft or Warcraft 2/3, and so far it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon."

Later, Mandark waded in on the issue again, this time in the 'How much is too much for an iPhone game?' thread:

"Thought I'd revisit this thread now that Asphalt 4�is out and firemint's Real Racing�is coming. I think it's clear that hunter's concerns about the iPhone's graphics handling have been answered. Looks like the iPhone and even the N95 when pushed can run DS beating 3D racers and they're chasing down the PSP. Also the pricing looks reasonable so far and is starting to make some DS games in particular look expensive. Who's going to want to pay the list price of about �25 or �30 for a crumby looking racer on the DS when your phone can run better looking games for less than �10.

"I think we're going to be shocked by the quality of some games."

Well, plenty of food for thought there. It seems that before the App Store's launch, the biggest unanswered questions concerned the graphics and the controls. Mandark is right to say that the quality is almost shocking.�Need for Speed: Undercover looks to be resounding proof of that.

Given how many iPhone games have scored a 7 or higher here on this very site, it seems that concerns about controls have been answered too. Indeed, though obviously inhibitive for certain genres (FPS being the main one), we'd say that the iPhone's controls have yet to be fully realised in some genres and, as�hunter_alien pointed out, there is an absolutely killer RTS just waiting to happen on the platform.

Moving on, one of the other topics that has been getting quite a bit of delayed attention is 'Can the PSP overtake the DS in 2008?'. Picking up this thread was daab.orion with a lengthy repost:

"As an American, the PSP, at least here (and Europe for that matter) has no chance of taking over the DS ever in the future. The top 5 publishers for gaming software have 0-1 games in the works for the PSP this year...that's it.

"I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's been about 3-5 months since ANY game was released for the system other than in Japan. And while Japan had a bunch of titles come out this month, 95 per cent of them were their version of "greatest hits" re-releases. So even Japan seems to be suffering, albeit not as much, as we are on the software front.

"As far as Japan goes, I'm curious to see how the sales for the PSP do after the hype over Monster Hunter subsides. Though, in Japan it seems to be doing very well in recent months, especially compared to its struggling brother, the PS3, which has a hard time even reaching the 10,000 units sold mark every month.

"I think the PSP would have been able to keep its success streak it had about a year or two ago if it wasn't for the PS3. That system has really sullied Sony's reputation, and it seems the lack of software for that system has scared publishers from making hardly anything on the PSP as well. I have the white Darth Vader system, and I think the last game I bought for it was Sega Rally. That's a LONG time to wait for new software to purchase. Considering I bought about 15 programs on my iPhone within the first month, it's not like I'm not willing to spend money on games at the moment."

Well it could be argued that the future of the PS3 is looking much brighter now than it was six months ago, and the tenacity of the PlayStation brand is starting to show. Even so, there is no denying that the PSP is still having a hard time attracting those all important third-party developers. Next to chip in was HiddenAway:

"It has been quiet, but there has been Crisis Core, Space Invaders Extreme (don't laugh, it's taken EG2 out of the slot), Everybody's Golf 2, Echochrome and Secret Agent Clank so far. The US will be getting Yggdra Union and Star Ocean: First Departure later this year which I'll be importing.

"Japan currently has Phantasy Star Portable at the top of the charts. They also have a couple of newly announced games from Square-Enix and at the end of the year and they'll be getting Xbox 360 hit Idolm@ster which I think will be enough to see the PSP as the winner of Japan's console race for the year - just."

We think there might be a Wii problem with your prediction there HiddenAway, but we have to agree - it is worth mentioning what a stellar year the PSP has had in Japan, even if in the west the console is suffering from a prolonged games drought. Maybe the PSP 3000 will help turn the console's fortunes around, or at least that's what we're hoping.

And with that, we are aware that we are now both more up to date for your copious insight, and fast running out of space, so forging bravely on with next week's topic seems like the only sensible thing to do:

Will handhelds ever replace home consoles?

We know what you are thinking, but before you go jumping to any hasty conclusions, do make sure you check out the extra details available in the forum which are accompanied by our sound rationale for that somewhat warped sounding question.

That's it for now folks. Remember to click 'Track It!' to be sure to catch next week's discussion and, until then, happy commenting.