Game Designer Paul Barnett (Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning by Mythic) was recently recently spotted purchasing a few iPads at an Apple Store. There’s nothing too unusual about that; Barnett is a cool guy and I expect him to have fine taste in consumer electronics. However, an industry source told me that the reason for his purchase is that Mythic is working on an MMO for iPad. I contacted EA for an official “no comment” and was told that there’s nothing like that in the works.
What do you ladies and gents think? Was he simply buying a bunch if iPads because they’re awesome? Or do Barnett and Mythic have something in the works that they’re not yet ready to talk about? Wouldn’t a Mythic iPad MMO totally rule?!?
After three full days (going on four) with the Evo 4G, here are more thoughts on this excellent HTC phone. This time around I’m covering battery life, the kickstand, more thoughts on the screen, streaming video using Qik, and how the phone works as a WiFi hotspot. If you haven’t read my initial impressions yet, please do so. Now let’s get to it!
Battery Life: Let’s get the negative part out of the way first. After three full days of what I’ll dub “moderate nerd use”, battery life has been merely okay. I’ve been using the phone mostly for web activities — browsing, Twitter updates, checking Facebook, etc. Every now and then I’ll use the GPS functions in Google Maps and Foursquare. I’ve snapped a few pictures and videos too. Keeping in mind that batteries need to be conditioned, the battery results (from completely charged to totally drained) of my first three days were 12, 12, and 14 hours. [Update: After 10 days of use, I’ve been getting approximately 12 hours a day from the standard battery.]
The results aren’t surprising considering the phone’s speedy processor and huge screen, but I can easily see myself in situations — E3 2010, for example — where a single battery isn’t going to cut it. The good news is that unlike the iPhone, you can simply buy a second battery and carry that in your bag. There’s a rumor that HTC will release a 2,500mAh battery for the Evo 4G next month (the stock battery is 1,500mAh), which would be a brilliant accessory. Either way, I will get another battery for this phone should I choose to keep it.
Kickstand: This little addition has been incredibly useful…and I didn’t think it would be. Obviously having a kickstand is nice for watching videos, but I like leaving the phone out and just propping it up on my desk, coffee table, kitchen, etc. while I’m doing…whatever it is I happen to be doing. Part of it that I’m still afraid to damage the phone — particularly the completely uncovered camera that I’m not about the place on a hard surface — and part of it is that there aren’t any good cases available for it yet.
Screen: I didn’t mention it in my initial impressions, but as wonderful as the Evo 4G’s 4.3-inch screen is, it still uses old technology. While a lot of new phones use newer OLED screens, the Evo 4G uses older TFT LCD technology. OLED offers better battery life, wider viewing angles, deeper blacks, and higher contrast ratios. However, some people do not like the color reproduction of OLED screens and feel that they over-pronounce reds (I’ve never had this issue. I think OLED rocks.). The big disadvantage is that the current generation of OLED screens are extremely difficult to see in daylight. This is one area where TFT LCD is clearly better. The bottom line is that even though the screen uses older tech, I’m totally loving its size and output.
Streaming Video: I shot a quick test video (embedded above) on the Evo 4G using Qik.com, which allows you to stream live videos from your phone. I signed up for an account on my laptop, logged in on my phone, and shot a video. It’s really that simple. Obviously you can’t stream HD video, but the camera, signal, and service worked like a charm. I’m probably going to try and do some impromptu E3 interviews using the phone and Qik.
WiFi Hotspot: As mentioned in the video, I tested out the phone’s WiFi hotspot feature. For an additional $30 a month, you can use the phone as a hotspot that can support up to eight devices under optimal conditions. The results were pretty good considering that we’re talking about a WiFi signal transmitted from a phone pulling in a 3G CDMA signal. Using my friend’s iPad and iPhone, I was getting upload speeds around 580kbps and download speeds around 245kbps. Web browsing on both devices was snappy, even on complex web sites. If you want to connect a device like an iPad or PSP on the go, the WiFi hotspot option is worth considering. If you’re primarily concerned with connecting a laptop, you’ll get faster speeds connecting the Evo 4G to your PC via USB and using a tethering program like Mobile Stream’s EasyTether.
Call Quality: I still have to do more testing in this area since I’ve only made about 60 minutes worth of calls. So far I’ve been pleased with how the Evo 4G works as a phone. The quality is comparable to my T-Mobile BlackBerry 8900 using UMA (still need to think this one through) and markedly clearer than the 8900 using Edge (the mobile signal, not the WWE wrestler or the guitar player). The Evo 4G beats the crap out of the iPhone 3GS as a phone. Remember, call quality is subjective so I can only share my experience using the Evo 4G on Sprint’s 3G network in Los Angeles with you. It could be better or worse depending on where you live.
That’s it for now. I’m going to focus more on call quality over the next few days. If there are any other aspects of the phone you want me to explore, just let me know. As always, shoot away any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Today’s poll is for Miz supremacy! Let’s meet the combatants.
WWE’s The Miz (Challenger): To use his catchphrase, “He’s The Miz…and he’s awesome!” Whether you love listening to his excellent promos or love to hate him, The Miz has come a long way from MTV’s The Real World. He used his fame from that reality show to make his way to WWE Tough Enough. From there he signed with the company. Although numerous WWE Superstars have given him a hard time backstage due to his reality television background, The Miz has carved out a successful career and is one of WWE’s most entertaining performers .
Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Champion): Out of respect (and because he’s just a super-cool guy), I’ve listed Mizuguchi-san as champion. Formerly a game designer and producer at Sega, Mizuguchi went on to start Q Entertainment. Known for crafting extremely stylish and addictive games, his design work includes Sega Rally Championship, Rez, Space Channel 5, Lumines, and more. He also produced Every Extend Extra, Meteos, and Gunpey. To put it simply, his games rock.
[poll id=”48″]
As much as I’ve been enjoying The Miz’s work over the last two years, Mizuguchi-san has been entertaining me for way longer. I’m going to vote for him. Which Miz will you vote for?!? Make your selection in the poll and explain your answer in the comments section if you have time.
GameStop has soft launched its PowerUp Rewards affinity program in select areas. The full launch will take place in Fall 2010. It’s not terribly different from the current Edge program. Here’s a link to PowerUp Rewards’ details or you can scan this nifty graphic below.
Are you currently a GameStop Edge member? Any of you planning on signing up for PowerUp Rewards? Do you feel it’s worth paying for?
Sony has officially announced Killzone 3 for PlayStation 3 and confirmed that it will be playable in stereoscopic 3D. While it’s important for Sony’s first-party games to push new technologies and Sony as a whole to offer games that encourage consumers to buy its stereoscopic 3D televisions, I was wondering how much it matters to you. Do you care that Killzone 3 is in 3D? Does it make you want a 3D television? Or will it take more than that? If so, how much more?
Electronic Arts sent waves throughout the gaming industry with its announcement of EA Online Pass. Essentially a deterrent to used-game sales, Online Pass charges $10 to gamers that buy used titles and want to access all their purchase’s online features. Ubi Soft has stated that it will likely use a similar solution and it’s looking like this will become the norm. I’ve gotten into several Twitter arguments about the matter, since it’s unclear how “the $10 solution” directly benefits developers. I see publishers getting richer, while decreasing gamers’ choices and screwing retailers.
With all of that in mind, I loved this video by Chett Muzzalupo, owner of Level One Games, an independent game store in Dublin, Ohio. Muzzalupo shares his (justifiably angry) perspective on EA Online Pass. Just in case you’re checking this on a mobile browser or can’t watch the video at work, here are some select quotes:
I’m appalled. I’m completely appalled.
This is about destroying the buy-sell-trade business. This is about stopping the sale of used games.
This doesn’t help you. This doesn’t help me. This helps EA and no one else.
If this becomes the standard of all games, potentially it can kill every store like mine.
Again, it’s a fantastic rant and I encourage you to watch it. Naturally, I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. Do you think EA Online Pass if bad for the business? Do you think it will indirectly benefit developers by forcing gamers to buy new games? Or do you think it’s mostly a way for publishers to make more money?
I’m going to interview Muzzalupo tomorrow morning. If you have any questions you’d like me to ask, please leave them in the comments section.
My friend Jason asked me an interesting question about Google TV: “who will be the first console to get GTV built in…hmmm?” Well, Sony already announced that it will offer televisions with Google TV built in, so if it came to any console, wouldn’t it be more likely to hit the PlayStation 3? This is total speculation of course, but how cool would it be to have a service like Google TV on your console? I’d go for it in a heartbeat. How about you? Can you picture Kaz Hirai introducing a Google executive at Sony’s E3 2010 press conference? The two of them could give a Microsoft a Degeneration-X crotch chop. “Are you ready?”
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is out, exclusively for Wii. Are you one of those people that said Shigeru Miyamoto is “out of touch” and that the gaming business has passed him by? If so, explain why this game is so great. In other exclusive news, ModNation Racers is hitting both Sony platforms. Lastly, UFC Undisputed 2010 and Blur are hitting multiple platforms.
Any of you guys and dolls picking up any of this week’s new games?
I’ve been thinking a lot about how Google TV, the Chrome Store, and HTML5 can change gaming. Seeing a version of LEGO: Star Wars running on HTML5 and delivered through the Chrome Store made a lot of lights go off in my head (What? You don’t have lights in your head?!?). The next day, Google announced Google TV along with its launch partners. “A-ha!” I said to myself, “There’s the final piece of the puzzle!”
Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Lost vs. Sopranos finale, 24 ending tonight, or Cleveland firing Mike Brown, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how Google TV, the Chrome Store, and HTML5 can change gaming. Seeing a version of LEGO: Star Wars running on HTML5 and delivered through the Chrome Store made a lot of lights go off in my head (What? You don’t have lights in your head?!?). The next day, Google announced Google TV along with its launch partners. “A-ha!” I said to myself, “There’s the final piece of the puzzle!”
Picture this: playing complex HTML5 games on a Sony television with Google TV built in — no console required! Sure, a web game will never be as impressive as one running on a proper console, but for most people LEGO: Star Wars graphics are completely acceptable. You know the millions of people that are fiending on casual and social games? I can easily see them “graduating” to a more involved experience in HTML5 games. If Google want it, the company could become a big player in the home gaming space.
What do you guys and gals think? Do you see a future playing games without a box and with a service like Google TV? Do you think I’m giving Google too much credit here? I know several of you are still weeping over the Lost finale, but give the matter some thought and leave a comment. I’d love to chat about this with you!
Here are several photos from Google developer advocate Chris Pruett’s Google I/O 2010 panel on developing games for Android. Looking at the slides will give you a better understand of the challenges Android developers face. In addition to developing for a relatively new platform, Android developers have to contend with multiple versions of the operating system floating around on different hardware (various screen resolutions, trackballs, d-pads, keyboards, etc). Optimizing for the latest and greatest version is all well and good, but considering that a large portion of the phones are running older versions of Android and the input options differ from phone to phone, games have to be scaled to work for all kinds of users.
Pruett used his experience creating Replica Island to give developers insights on different approaches to take in creating Android games. One of the coolings ways he took advantage of the mobile platform was tracking difficulty and updating the game accordingly. His game sends back data on where players are dying. He sees the results on level maps containing heat spots that indicated where players were dying the most. With updates, he adjusts levels to be less frustrating and more fun.
is out, exclusively for Wii. Are you one of those people that said Shigeru Miyamoto is “out of touch” and that the gaming business has passed him by? If so, explain why this game is so great. In other exclusive news, 
is hitting both Sony platforms. Lastly, 
and 
are hitting multiple platforms.
