There’s a shift currently underway in the videogame industry, a shift that developers and publishers alike are watching descend on them like a village watching the slow approach of a lava flow. The game industry is changing and old business models that have served their purpose for the past decade have started to lose their appeal as prospectors coming down out of the mountains of mobile and browser based games with pockets full of gold and tell tales of untapped veins of revenue for those brave enough to take on the risks of the journey. However more than a few of these prospectors have disappeared into those mountains and their bones now serve as chin rests for cougars, lazily licking their chops in anticipation of the next fool to come stumbling into their lair waving a lazy port of a flash game for the Android marketplace. Metaphors aside, what does the current popularity and growth of mobile and browser based games mean to the existing console markets?
In the mobile game app market, praise doesn’t get better than the kudos iphoneincanada.ca gave Vex Puzzles, the latest from Edmonton developer Itzy Interactive. The industry blog raved about everything from the game’s look to its ability to hook.
“Overall, this is a perfect mobile game,” said iphonecanada’s video editor following the game’s spring release. “It’s perfect if you just want to pass a few minutes or if you want to sit down and have a little longer gaming session. Even better, it’s not a mindless button-masher. The game makes you think your moves through.”
This is in addition to a Digital Alberta Award for best mobile entertainment app received in July. Yet sales have not reflected the acclaim, says Itzy Interactive co-founder and lead developer Kyle Kulyk. Once considered a viable entry point to indie videogame making, he’s found the mobile app market tough to crack.
Reviews on the run takes a look at the indie iOS/Android puzzler, Vex Blocks.
Canadian indie developer, Itzy Interactive, announced today the release of their electrifying puzzler, Vex Blocks for iOS devices via the Apple App Store. Nominated for "Best Brain & Puzzle" and "Best Casual Game" in this year’s "Best App Ever Awards" Android edition, the easy-to-play, exciting and addictive block game is now available for the iPhone and iPad. An alternative to traditional, “Match 3” type puzzle games like Bejeweled or Candy Crush, players create chains of colored lightning by matching up blocks based on symbol, color or both.
Fortunately I read the article before commenting. I fully agree with the author, I'm sure console gaming will keep going strong. Good read.
Good article, I like the cut of Kyle's jib.