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Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

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Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#5

Playing desktop style AAA games in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks, its awkward and clunky, unless you have a handheld cradle or controller mount.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#6
Yeah I'm absolutely not surprised. Controls are terrible and you're going to drain the phone's battery. You can make it a little better if you buy accessories, but then you need to carry those accessories around and it doesn't solve the battery issue.

It makes a ton more sense to just get a standalone device and play games on that instead.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#7
I experimented with streaming PC games to my iPhone via SteamLink. Nifty concept, but playing traditional PC/console style games on a phone isn't much fun. Your thumbs obscure 1/3 of the screen and the UI elements are often too small to reliably tap. You really have to design the mobile experience independently of the desktop/console experience, and then account for the fact that the two markets are often very different.

I'd be interested to see the breakdown for something like Genshin Impact, which was a true cross-platform release. Mobile gaming is huge in China so there's strong incentive to make it a first-class citizen.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#8
post #5

Playing desktop style AAA games in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks, its awkward and clunky, unless you have a handheld cradle or controller mount.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

I don’t believe this. Most people really like apps, and there’s a reason why people revolve around their phones far more than their laptops now. Also, they have plenty of other selling points - like their camera, or calling other people, obviously.

Some things, like photography or phone calls, are great. Some are so-so, like web browsing. And some, like AAA Gaming, are not suited well at all. But on the inverse, calling people or taking photos on the desktop is not a well-suited setup either.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#10
post #5

Playing desktop style AAA games in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks, its awkward and clunky, unless you have a handheld cradle or controller mount.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

I disagree, there's plenty of things I think a small form factor excels at.

Do I enjoy using Word on my phone to write a document? No. Do I enjoy writing texts and messages on my phone? Yes. Would I get my laptop out to write a text message or make a call all the time? No.

The fact it's portable and can fit in your pocket, is the exact point and I can navigate the entire device with two thumbs.

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