Sunday, June 27, 2010

iPad Gaming

As soon as I saw the iPad introduced, I knew it was something to be excited about. I saw the future of computer interaction. Specifically, it is a very unique machine for gaming.
Granted, it doesn't suit all games. Like the iPhone, you can't play high-precision action games like Mega Man. But it changes the way you're interacting with a game, just like it changes how you interact with applications.
The iPad has an interesting emotional impact. It's not, like, weepy or anything. But there's something that feels very different about holding your application in your hand and interacting with it. The way you hold and touch the iPad is what makes it so unique. It's like you're holding the internet in your hand. It's fascinating.
It's the same for gaming. Interacting with games through the iPad is feels very... direct, I guess is the best word. You hold it like a book, and you directly manipulate what's going on. It's incredibly natural. It removes the controller as a layer between you and the game. This is why it's the future of computing.
With the iPad, there is no proxy between you and your application or game. You're not having your interaction translated through a device like a mouse or controller. Now, obviously a mouse or controller is preferred for certain types of activities, but you won't find those very often on the iPad.
The iPad is a very compelling gaming device. The iPhone proved that multitouch is a fantastic way to game, but the size of the screen really limited what you could do. So far, though, most of the best games on the iPad are just ports of iPhone games. So you get the impression that the iPad is what the developers wanted to be making games for in the first place. So when people say "It's just a big iPod Touch" my response is "I know! That's what makes it so cool!" Making a bigger multitouch screen fundamentally changes how the device operates. I still think developers are getting used to the device and the possibilities a larger screen offer for gaming. So for right now, the future is more exciting than the present for the iPad as a gaming platform.

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