A new report on iPhone development shows that games on the platform are becoming more ambitious and complex.
The information comes from Game Developer Research, which surveyed nearly 150 current iPhone developers. The findings show that development cycles for the platform are getting longer, while focus has shifted slightly from the prevalent puzzle and word game genre, with categories such as strategy and adventure on the rise.
While 61% of completed iPhone projects had a development cycle of 1-3 months, only 41% of projects currently in the works will take that amount of time. Conversely, the number games with a 4-6 month development cycle has shifted from 25% (completed) to 47% (in development).
Puzzle and word games on the platform are certainly not going away, but where 62% of developers for the iPhone have completed work on such titles, 53% of developers are working on them now.
Meanwhile, 11% of respondents have completed adventure titles, but 21% of them have such games planned. Similarly, 11% of developers have completed strategy apps, but 15% have them in the works.
“This survey shows the increasing importance and maturity of the iPhone game market”, said Simon Carless, director of Game Developer Research. "The open platform seems to be encouraging a multitude of developers to jump on board, creating an intriguing melting pot of short form and more sophisticated game titles."
The iPhone has been attracting the attention of major games developers and publishers. SEGA of America's VP of marketing, Sean Ratcliffe, has said that developers should treat the platform as they would the DS or PSP.
We're also seeing hardcore favourites such as Katamari and Metal Gear Solid being developed for the iPhone.
While we might be starting to see more elaborate games hitting the platform, however, anecdotally developers are still emphasising how small a team can develop an iPhone app and producing significantly stripped-down versions of their console titles.
The information comes from Game Developer Research, which surveyed nearly 150 current iPhone developers. The findings show that development cycles for the platform are getting longer, while focus has shifted slightly from the prevalent puzzle and word game genre, with categories such as strategy and adventure on the rise.
While 61% of completed iPhone projects had a development cycle of 1-3 months, only 41% of projects currently in the works will take that amount of time. Conversely, the number games with a 4-6 month development cycle has shifted from 25% (completed) to 47% (in development).
Puzzle and word games on the platform are certainly not going away, but where 62% of developers for the iPhone have completed work on such titles, 53% of developers are working on them now.
Meanwhile, 11% of respondents have completed adventure titles, but 21% of them have such games planned. Similarly, 11% of developers have completed strategy apps, but 15% have them in the works.
“This survey shows the increasing importance and maturity of the iPhone game market”, said Simon Carless, director of Game Developer Research. "The open platform seems to be encouraging a multitude of developers to jump on board, creating an intriguing melting pot of short form and more sophisticated game titles."
The iPhone has been attracting the attention of major games developers and publishers. SEGA of America's VP of marketing, Sean Ratcliffe, has said that developers should treat the platform as they would the DS or PSP.
We're also seeing hardcore favourites such as Katamari and Metal Gear Solid being developed for the iPhone.
While we might be starting to see more elaborate games hitting the platform, however, anecdotally developers are still emphasising how small a team can develop an iPhone app and producing significantly stripped-down versions of their console titles.
Companies:
Apple
Read More Like This