Mobile Games Are Killing Themselves

Let's set the record straight. Like many of you, I am a smartphone user. At the time of this article I use an Android phone and can see my self switching to Windows Phone in the near future. While I am a gamer, and do like to play on the go, I do not like the majority of smartphone games. In order to avoid these games, I usually bring a Playstation Vita whenever I am in a gaming mood. This shouldn't be the case however, as I would love it if mobile games were good, if they were smart, however the problem is that the majority are not. There are a few exceptions, games such as Jetpack Joyride, Fruit Ninja, and Temple Run. Why are just these games quality hits? Its time to dissect the mobile game industry, both smartphone, and handheld, to show what it should and shouldn't do.

[clearelite]

I think it would probably be better for all of us in the long run if they just went away.

[CommonSenseGamer]

Explain why it would be better for all of us and who are you referring to when you say "us"?

[clearelite]

Your question is legitimate. I said probably because I'm not sure but I would replace it with possibly. I suppose by "us" I was referring MOSTLY to gamers. Without going into detail, I'm wary about where things heading in general. "Apps" repacing "programs", tablets replacing more powerful, more customizable hardware, etc. Maybe I'm afraid to see my quality dedicated consoles/pc games replaced with some lame alternatives.

[3-4-5]

Yea in the end you'll be left with 2-4 companies who will eventually find a way to make good mobile games while everything else won't exist or will suck.

[worldwidegaming]

my favorite saying
"Console-like graphics"

[CommonSenseGamer]

Tell me, how would you class the visuals in Modern Combat 4 or Real Racing 3?

Those games feature better visuals than the PS2. Next year when Tegra 4 games hit the market things will only get better.

[HammadTheBeast]

No they're bad and they should feel bad. Try controlling them, and it's completely garbage. Not to mention abysmal lag.

[worldwidegaming]

Its a marketing ploy plain and simple.
I rate them as Sub-Console graphics.
but you know if you read that
you might be turned off..who wants Sub when they
can get Console-Like! everyone likes a Like!
Very smart ploy but not worth it. I own an ipad
and transformer prime and most of the so called
Console-like graphics are pretty sad.
the controls are bad and most of the good ones are rehashes of
console/handheld games.
I would not say they should go away but I really think some companies should make quality games that could take advantage of the hardware rather than just try to jump on the money train.
I own just about every console ever made and game on PC. With all of these devices we should have something that is fun enough to play for hours on end.
racing games without customizations suck!

Honestly what we currently have is as or even more powerful than handhelds out today so this Tegra 4 next gen chip is meaningless. Companies are not wasting too much time on these games because it takes awhile to make money and its hit or miss.

[InTheLab]

The restrictions placed by Nintendo and Sony is a barrier to any hack that shows up with a garbage clone app and tries to peddle it off to unsuspecting fools....like survivalcraft or the various runner clones.

I'd much rather have less filler and more solid games and that will never be the case on ios or android. Both of those platforms allows any riff raff calling themselve s a developer crate an app, so the entire market is flooded with trash.

[CanadianTurtle]

I have never in my life bought a mobile app game. I've never bought a game on the ipod touch, android, etc.

I couldn't be any happier.

[killerorca258]

There's nothing wrong with mobile games, I play them quite frequently. But I've been playing on consoles since the Sega Genesis, and I think they can coexist. I really like being able to play short bursts of Modern Combat 4 and Where's My Water is a greatgame to play wwhen I'm resting in bed, but mobile games are going to keep tripping over themselves because the mobile devs are failing to realize something very important. People don't buy $1 mobile games to have a console-like experience, just as gamers don't pay $70 for a mobile game experience. If mobile games try to cram their way into a market that isn't made for them, of course they'll fail, it would neither suprise nor bother me.

[killerorca258]

Oh, and one more thing, TO H**L WITH IN-GAME ADVERTISING, let me see a show of hands?

[evanextreme]

If the game is free, I don't care.

[worldwidegaming]

in game ads should be placed right. id rather have my character liking doritos than have a popup of the damn chips or my lower/upper screen showing me something.
I never bought based on ads. I prefer blog/news sites.

[tubers]

I've had plenty fun with mobile games. Best of all, I didn't pay a cent.

Too bad my aunt's hogged the iPad 4 already. Such a fun quickie device.. Would probably have gotten one but the small memory kinda put me off.