Indies wrong to compare iPad upgrades to console development, says Revolution's Tony Warriner
Always a place for 2D
Even before Apple pulled the covers off its latest iPad, developers were already taking the pages of PocketGamer.biz speculating as to how a Retina screen and an upgraded system-on-a-chip could make their lives a whole lot harder.
Development on iOS, some claimed, was emulating that of the console business, with smaller studios slowly being pushed out of the picture as the hardware got more complex, and – worryingly – more expensive to work on.
Revolution Software co-founder Tony Warriner, however, thinks Apple has found the sweet spot with its third generation iPad.
Critics claiming it's not progressive enough need to be brought back down to earth, he states, while those scared of getting left behind should realise consumers have proved they don't think 3D worlds are the be all and end all.
We caught up with Warriner to ask why he thinks quality will still win out on iOS hardware, old and new.
Pocket Gamer: Following the unveiling of new hardware, what's your impression of where Apple is taking iPad?Tony Warriner: I think the general Apple roadmap is fairly clear - high resolution, plus iCloud streaming. The iPad being just one window onto this world. The TV will be another.
What do you think will prove to be the most important new feature?We already have iCloud, so the stand out feature has to be the Retina screen. I expect the laptops will follow with their own retina screens across 2012. I also think the lower price point on the iPad 2 will be significant for the platform.
Anything you think Apple was wrong to leave out?Given that this third generation iPad simply could not have been produced even a year ago, it’s perhaps churlish to think about omissions. It’s maybe odd that Siri isn’t there, though no doubt it will turn up before too long.
Perhaps a smaller dock connector would have been nice. The current one feels dated compared to the devices its now being deployed on.
Some people have expressed disappointment more wasn't done in regards to Apple TV – the app platform expected by many failing to materialise. Is Apple granting its TV rivals – Google, Samsung, Sony and LG - too much of a head start in this regard?I guess the current TV device is fulfilling some research purpose for Apple and the real deal will turn up in due course.
Presumably a software update will eventually turn the current Apple TV devices into something much more interesting down the line. As to the rivals, they don’t seem to be making much headway, it has to be said.
Is there a chance that the new tech employed in the new iPad will leave indies behind?
I don’t think so. It’s comparatively easy to program and creativity and attention to detail still rule the roost.
It’s not like the game console world where this whole default requirement to produce ever more realistic vast 3d worlds. Some people will no doubt go that way, but it’s not the only approach. I’d also suggest that iCloud is harder to deal with, initially at least, than the new screen will be.
At Revolution we’re producing our new 2d adventure game art at an even higher resolution than even retina iPad, so for us it’s just a case of making more of what we already have. I’m sure most people creating games for the mobile space aren’t locking themselves to any particular screen size anymore.
Finally, Apple appeared to avoid giving the new iPad a dedicated name. What will you be calling it, or what would you have called it in Apple's shoes?I think everyone will settle on the unofficial “third gen” name. So, I’m now looking forward to the “fifth gen” iPhone.
Thanks to Tony for his time.
You can find out more about Revolution Studios on the firm's website.
