OK don't worry, this isn't going to be another iPhone 3G hype posting, but just an observation. And jut so you know, while I'm not in
queue out in the cold at the moment waiting to get one of the first new iPhones in Australia, I do plan on getting on and we have some plans for it ('nuff said).
An interesting note from the video that I've linked to above ... the reporter notices that when connected over 3G (at least here in Australia on Optus), there is a 10Mb download limit, which actually blocked the download of the game she was trying to get. WOuld have to do it over WiFi or through iTunes ... bit of a hiccup to choice while on the move IMOThis morning though I did download the new
iTunes that includes App Store, the shopfront that allows developers to make their applications available for download (for free or for purchase). I know it's only been live for really a few hours, but one thing that struck me immediately was that both the Top 10 Apps, and Top 10 FREE Apps lists were comprised totally of games. At the time I writes this (cause I expect that list to change) the only "category" that is not "Games" is a sole application under the category of "Business", but I think that Bejeweled 2 may have slipped into the wrong category there!
There's been much debate in the gaming press over the past few months since the 3G device was announced, focused around the idea that the iPhone will actually revolutionize the handheld gaming market. This is because people see this is a truly "converged" device, and that the innovation of the touch screen + motion sensing will create more engaging games.
Of course the other argument is that the App Store is light years ahead of the distribution model that confronts most game publishers now when dealing with the mobile market. I was having lunch yesterday with a government rep for the electronic games industry in Queensland, and I was telling him that compared to the operator/aggregator/provider model (where there's so often more than one aggregator in the actual channel), selling direct through App Store for a 70% cut of the download price is like music to our ears.
I'm very keen to see though if the eventual support for Flash on the iPhone (I don't know anything - just my opinion that it WILL make it on there in some way in the not-so-distant future) can create experiences that sell next to games from EA, Gameloft, etc and capture some market share there. It's kind of like what we're waiting to see now on mobile - do people who have handsets that play Java and Flash Lite, and who download games, actually see the differences and embrace that? I think innovation of experience will play a big part in the success of game titles on the iPhone. That plus the fact that they are so easy to get!
So now that I've written this, I've actually gotten myself excited and want to go and join that queue :)
** UPDATE: As I predicted, those Top 10 lists have already started to diversify just a few hours later ... but I think my thoughts are still valid :)
Another one of our games, Dizzy Zub Zub (actually it's nearly our oldest one now!) has been added to the Mobile Hotdog web portal. Free to try before you buy! It joins Sausage Smackdown and Eat Them Alive and is also being pushed out onto Nokia Download. Upcoming titles also making their way to Nokia Download soon include Trench Rocket, Palleggio and one of our GoPets mini-games, Doogie Boogie.
Via 
Recently I was fortunate enough to be appointed as an Adobe Ambassador for the Pacific region, with a specific focus on my part in the mobile industry and experience with Flash for mobile devices. Sounds fancy ... here's what it means ...
