(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); So I don't know about many of you but I love mobile games. It actually keeps me entertained when needed. E.G. In the subway, in class, or even in a long car ride. Being an iPhone user myself, I rely heavily on apps that can entertain me for a good couple of hours without having to throw my phone against a wall due to boredom. So I came across a link about the Future of Mobile Gaming concerning Windows Vs. Apple.

I'll summarize what the article had to say for all you lazy people out there who don't like reading TOO much .




Windows vs. Apple: The Future of Mobile Games

Both companies are launching new gaming platforms as many of you know. Windows is launching Windows Phone 7 and Apple is launching Apple iOS 4 with Game Center for their mobile devices.

Microsoft and Xbox have a lot of control in the gaming market, however Apple, with the release of the new iPad now, has a strong hold on merging smartphone apps market with its powerful App store. Both companies are refreshing their brands by attacking their opponent’s strong suits: Microsoft with their rebranded phones and Apple with its recently announced mobile Game Center. But which one will be better for games and, more importantly, gamers?


Strengths and Weaknesses of Both Brands

User Experience
Microsoft is following that lead with touch-screen functionality modeled after the Zune (similar to how Apple adapted the iPod aesthetic for its phones). Windows Phone 7 introduces an Xbox Live tile that can display all available games, a section on game news, editorial, and a portable hub to Xbox Live.

Apple’s iOS 4 is working to create a similarly interactive profile where gamers can add friends and invite them to play games. As for the phone, expect the same functionality and elegance Apple has built over the years.

“If [Apple] can work their magic and make you care, make the user experience great, market it right, I think that’s going to be really useful,” said Samuel Abbott, an avid gamer and analyst for a financial technology firm.

The Platform
Most games are about achievement, whether it’s solving a crossword or winning a kart race. Microsoft nailed the concept on Xbox Live, its online profile system for Xbox 360. Microsoft is now extending Xbox Live to sync up with Windows Phone 7. This means that gamers can carry their player profiles between their Xbox 360 and phone and earn achievements while playing mobile games.

Apple’s gaming experience, on the other hand, has been splintered with a series of profile systems including OpenFeint and plus+ but with no central hub from Apple. As a result, gamers have to remember different passwords and slog through multiple logins to play their games. Game Center will act like an umbrella network, using one login and one persistent profile instead of several disparate networks across different games.

Developers
Both Apple and Microsoft offer well developed tools for game creators. Microsoft’s ‘XNA is a flexible and highly developed platform that makes it easy to port games between XNA platforms (like Windows (Windows), Xbox, and mobile) with minimal to no modification.

Apple’s iOS 4, meanwhile, includes APIs for developers that will allow them to add Game Center support to their apps and games, which means that developers won’t have to design their own profile networks, matchmaking services, or leaderboards. Further, third-party platforms like Unity make development across multiple platforms — including iOS — much easier.

Apple’s platform is more polished for mobile — and has a huge lead when it comes to mobile game sales, while Microsoft has more overall experience with games (especially non-casual games).

Which is better? You guys decide.

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Very informative and well laid out tbh! I use iPhones too so useful for me, nothing tops Angry Birds!

I know you're a Apple fan, with your 2 iPads now =P I haven't quite had the chance to play Angry Birds, I always see it in the App Store. A future purchase definitely. I think the App store has literally made Apple all its money.

LOL really nice post...Very interesting except the fact i cant even afford an ipod touch

Don't worry, I'm going to steal one for you bro :y: lol

I have an iTouch 2G and I don't really like gaming on it as on average the games take me 4+ hours to download. But the new windows phone does sound pretty cool.

Just looked at the WP7 and it doesn't allow the use of sockets etc, well unless its hacked I don't think I will get one. And no VPN's either etc...

Yea the older versions aren't too decent when it comes to gaming. The 3GS is what I have and it downloads in a span of 5-10 seconds. I'm curious to know how Windows 7 will work though, wouldn't mind testing it out.

No its not my device its my internet, I dont have the patience to spend hours downloading a 400mb game thats simple, dont even want to download a 90mb simple game as thats like an hour.

But Idk the restrictions on the window phone 7 seem kinda crappy to me so Ill have to wait to see how it plays out before even thinking about getting one.

Ah you got that mexican connection. Well there's not much of a point in getting Windows 7 unless you have an xbox, just because of how it all connects together is pretty awesome.

yeah well I must admit that really is that one feature that holds it all together as with their restrictions and if you look at the phone specs they are not even that good.