PC and Mac Most Popular Game Development Platforms

Game Developer Research’s annual “State of Game Development Survey” revealed that the PC and Mac are the most popular game development platforms. Surprising, no? Actually, it’s not when you consider that social games (i.e. Facebook games) and browser games were lumped into the mix. As for consoles, the Xbox 360 still leads the way. Here’s a snippet from the press release:

Just over 70 percent of developers said they were developing at least one game for PC or Mac (including browser and social games), rising slightly from last year, with 41 percent working in consoles. Within that latter group, Xbox 360 was the most popular system with 69 percent of console developers targeting it, followed by 61 percent for PlayStation 3.

On the handheld front, developers are flocking to the iPhone and iPod Touch platform, leaving the Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable in the dust. It’s not surprising really. Facebook, browser, and iPhone games are cheaper to make than traditional console games. The market is relatively new and the players are still being established. There are more opportunities in these markets for new(er) developers and publishers.

Microsoft Pulling the Plug on Original Xbox Games on April 15

Microsoft is pulling the plug on Xbox Live support for original Xbox games (or really, Halo 2). Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten (didn’t he play for the Yankees once?) issued an official statement that included the following:

On April 15 we will discontinue the Xbox Live service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox v1 games playable on Xbox 360 and Xbox Originals. I want to start by saying this isn’t a decision we made lightly, but after careful consideration, it is clear this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community.

I was actually surprised and impressed that Microsoft supported online play for the original Xbox this long. Do any of you still play Xbox 1 games online?

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NY State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Goes After GameStop

New York State attorney general Andrew Cuomo is going after GameStop and other retailers over fraudulent fees. Here’s the skinny from GamePolitics:

The AG’s office believes that GameStop and the others have been “tricking customers into accepting offers from third party vendors, which then siphon money from consumers’ accounts.” Because of the relatively low dollar amount of the charges, the fees may go unnoticed for some time.

The names of the companies involved read like a laundry list of e-commerce: Barnes and Nobles, Expedia, Pizza Hut, Staples.com, Travelocity, Classmates.com, etc. According to Cuomo, the three discount clubs under investigation bring in a combined $1+ billion per year, much of which Cuomo believes is fraudulent.

That’s right Pizza Hut and GameStop! You don’t mess with New York!!! You don’t want an Italian guy from Queen coming after you. Trust me on this one.

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What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Where the hell did this week go? Between this web site, physical therapy, and trying to figure out ways to make money, it was a complete blur to me. The good news is that it’s weekend game time! I’m still playing Vandal Hearts, but it’s probably going to take a back seat to my new copy of Army of Two: The 40th Day. Like the legendary Austin Aries, I enjoy cooperative gaming a ton. My friend was telling me that the latest Army of 2 offers some interesting moral choices. I’m curious about those. I’m not even sure about the moral mindset of mercenaries (aside from Deadpool).

I’ve also downloaded Rhyme Player for iPhone. It’s a simple rhythm game with a limited song list, but I can’t stop playing! I think I’ll write a (not) review next week.

As always, I want to know what’s on your weekend playlist!

Coffee Talk #80: Lime Sorbet Games

Here’s a situation for you. Let’s say you’ve just played 40 or more hours of an intense role-playing game like Dragon Age: Origins or Mass Effect 2. Or maybe you’ve spent dozens of hours playing a great multiplayer shooter. You don’t want to jump right into the next great time suck. You need something to cleanse your palette. You need the lime sorbet equivalent of gaming. What do you play?

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, natural sword enhancement, your application for the LA Clipper’s coaching job, or the greatness of Claudio Castagnoli, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Here’s a situation for you. Let’s say you’ve just played 40 or more hours of an intense role-playing game like Dragon Age: Origins or Mass Effect 2. Or maybe you’ve spent dozens of hours playing a thrilling multiplayer shooter. You don’t want to jump right into the next great time suck. You need something to cleanse your palette. You need the lime sorbet equivalent of gaming. What do you play?

I was chatting about this with a respected colleague recently. After going through a heavy game experience, he likes to break things up with some mindless fun. He chose Jurassic: The Hunted as his lime sorbet game. I always go back to Civilization: Revolution for iPhone between intense games (though it’s something I do daily).

Today I wanted to see if you have a lime sorbet game. Is there something you play to clear your mind for your next great gaming experience? Is there a particular genre or style of game you use to cleanse your palette? Maybe a particular title? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

AT&T Keeping the Apple iPhone Until 2011? (Oh Noes!!!)

When I first read this report from GigaOm my initial thought was, “Please God don’t let AT&T hang onto the iPhone until 2011.” That would truly suck, as I would love to use the iPhone as a phone (crazy idea, I know) but have little faith that AT&T will substantially improve its network in 2010. Thankfully Credit Suisse’s Jonathan Chaplin’s theory is a bit…basic:

We believe there is a 75% probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity in 2010. We arrive at this probability through a two step process: First, we try to determine whether the Apple / AT&T agreement expires in 2010. The consensus view is that it does; however, we couldn’t find compelling evidence that this is the case. We conclude that there is only a 50% probability that it ends in 2010. Next, we try to determine whether AT&T bids for another year of exclusivity if exclusivity does end in 2010. We conclude that they would and that they can afford to compensate Apple such that Apple would be economically indifferent. Our approach yields a 25% probability for this outcome. Taken together, we see a 75% probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity for another year.

I expect more from a Swiss banker (like Claudio Castagnoli). Is it me or does Chaplin’s theory seems third-grade-ish?

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Game Crazy Being Cut to 250 Stores

Game Crazy, a videogame specialty store found alongside some Hollywood Video shops, is being reduced to 250 locations as part of its parent company’s bankruptcy reorganization. Since GameStop and EB Games merged, Game Crazy was pretty much the only specialty retailer competing with the unstoppable GameStop juggernaut (albeit only in select cities). Lacking competition, GameStop can continue to gouge customers on trade-ins and used-game sales (at least at the brick-and-mortar level).

My friend Justin always spoke highly of Game Crazy and raved about some of its deals. I never had access to one in San Francisco and haven’t bothered to hit one up since I moved to Los Angeles. Do any of you have Game Crazy stores near you? Is your shop closing? Will you miss it?

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Teens That Buy Their Own Phones More Likely to Talk About Sex

This report from Pew Internet (embedded below) has all sorts of interesting figures on how young adults use modern tools like social networking services, mobile phones, and the Internet, but one interesting bit uncovered by CrunchGear revealed that teens that buy their own phones are more likely to engage in “naughty” activity. John Biggs reported that, “The Pew Internet Project says that kids who buy their own phones are four times as likely to sext — that is send inappropriate images or texts to other kids.”

Ah, to be a teenager again…. Honestly, I don’t think it’s a big deal or a cause for alarm. It’s a perfectly natural combination of raging hormones and technology. I’ve actually never sent a sexual SMS or MMS. Have any of you?


Source via CrunchGear

PadCast: Ring of Honor World Champion Austin Aries!

Last Friday I went to a Ring of Honor show in Los Angeles and caught up with world champion Austin Aries, fresh off his victory over Jushin “Thunder” Liger. Whether you call him the RoH champion, A-Double, the vascular vegetarian, or MV3, there’s no denying that Aries is one of the most talented wrestlers in the world. It was an honor chatting about videogames, karaoke, being vegetarian, being pro-choice, naked Shawn Michaels, women with meat in their mouth, and the writing in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw with Aries. It was also fun goofing off with a friend (ha!). Check out this very special RPad.tv PadCast with the master of the brainbuster and the owner of the most devastating 450 splash in the universe!