With better graphics and greater proliferation of mobile and tablet devices, more and more people are finding themselves hooked onto mobile gaming. Furthermore the plethora of free-to-play (not free) game are release almost everyday or week. Today we had our hands on Assassin’s Creed Pirate on an iPad Air.
The mobile experience redefined
Gone are the days where graphic on console is superior to the sprite graphic on mobile. Assassin’s Creed Pirates (ACP) boosts wonderful graphic comparable to that of last-gen PS3 and Xbox 360. Although PC and Console graphics are still superior, the gap is definitely narrowed. The beautiful rendered water and sunset in ACP will for a while make you lost in this new world that you can once only experience on PC and console. Of course, this is not the first game that boost wonderful graphics. Infinity blade series, FIFA and many other games boost similar quality. Console cycle is typically a few years. It will be a matter of time when mobile gaming overtake it in terms of graphical prowess. Oh and did I mention that I did not hear any noisy fan whirling typical of consoles and some PC?
No more on screen soft button
In the past, game ported from console to mobile is often perceived as inferior given that the latter almost always feature those weirdly place on screen soft button. ACP a on the other hand, while not a port over, greatly make use of the touch interface of a move device and incorporate it into the game smoothly. Drag and swipe to steer your ship, tap and hold to fire cannon of your ship. Such actions are no performed by soft button of up, down, left and right. You can even pinch and zoom to get different level of perspective when you are on board your pirate ship.
Free-to-play but not free
ACP a is free-to-play. It is a free download on the iOS AppStore. The entry barrier to playing this game is almost zero with the exception that you need to first get an smartphone or tablet. While game is free to download, there is an option to buy coins with real money to give you an head start in the game. Mobile gamers are very used to ‘free’ games, however economic 101 tells us that the developers would still have to be paid in some way. Thus far, in app purchase seems to be the best way for this developer. Of course such trends has created some rogue developers who build games aiming at maximising revenue. The true spirit of building game to entertain and challenge players may be place in the back seat in some of the free games we see today. In ACP, while in-app purchase exists, we still find the game truly enjoyable.
What’s next for PC, Console and Mobile gaming?
PC and Console games have been consolidated. Today most games are published on multiple platforms cutting across the PC and consoles realm. Of course, there exists some games like Metal Gear Solid and Destiny that are strictly for consoles. However, these day may be short lived. Coupled by the strong competition in mobile gaming, the 50-99 dollars console game that you need to purchase may not be as attractive any more compared to the zero dollar mobile game.
Here at GameTrader.SG, we would love to see console gaming evolved to a new stage. The current generation of consoles of better graphic maybe losing its luster. We need something interesting and revolutionary to get people back to console game.
The recent Despicable Me 2 has driven the popularity of the yellow Minions to a new level. People are rushing to buy these cute little critters from MacDonalds and Toy Stores. Needless to say, a game surrounding Minions is a sure hit among those who love them.
Minion Rush is a mobile game that you can download from PlayStore/AppStore for your Android Phone or iPhone and iPad. Things are a bit different in the Androids world. Search for Minion Rush and you see other apps which may tempt you to download.
We did a search on ‘Minion Rush’ yesterday and saw 3 copies of ‘Minion Rush’! The icons and screenshots look identical. Of course, the official version is developed by Gameloft. That copy should be the one you download.
The version from ‘Gameloft’ is the official one to download. Who is /Wong Chi Keung’?
The details page looks similar as well:
If you look at the permissions required, here are the comparisons:
Microphone access? Social Contact? Camera? These permissions are not required in the original game.
The clone obviously requested for suspicious access. Microphone, location and social contact acccess? Is it a spyware?
Then there are the cheats app that allows you to get unlimited bananas (yes! banana!).
Again suspicious permission asked.
Unlike iOS App Store which requires screening from Apple, PlayStore allows developer to almost upload their app instantaneously. Google relies on the community to flag out apps. But sneaky developers will still be able to sneak in modified app into the store. Before downloading anything, do look at the permission carefully before selecting ‘Accept’.
**Update 19 Jul 2013: We run a search again, but this time, the clone copies are removed. I wonder how many have downloaded the fake copies…
If you haven’t heard of this game by now, you should definitely try out this awesome game. It’s a free-to-download, high quality game for all fans of Mega Man and Street Fighter! This game brings the world of Mega Man and Street Fighter together. If you are a fan of any one of the game, this is a geek’s-dream-come-true game. In Street Figther X Mega Man, you play as Mega Man who fights Street Fighter Bosses like Ryu and Chun Li. Like all Mega Man games, you will get the power-up of the bosses once defeated. Mega Man can now throw a Hadouken or a Thousand Burst Kick to get him out of sticky situations.
So before you start thanking Capcom for releasing such wonderful game, you might be surprise to know that the creator of this game is none other than Singaporean Seow Zong Hui who built this game out of his passion. A final year Nayang Technological University Student, Zong Hui developed the game from a precursor Mega Man engine that he developed previously. We manage to get an interview with the man himself who is uber friendly and willing to share his experience with our readers.
GT Editor: Where did you get the idea to develop SF x MM? Both are classic Capcom games but who would have thought of putting them together in a game? This idea is brilliant!
ZH: It is decided on random because I was creating a Mega Man engine for programming practice and coming up with you own bosses is very normal and many fan games have already done it. Since I had some experience drawing small resolution sprites, I tried putting Street Fighter characters in and it seems fine.
GT Editor: For the geeks and aspiring game developer out there, what are the programs you used to develop the game?
ZH: Gamemaker but its is not recommended as it might be difficult to port to other system. I would recommend Unity but it has a steeper learning curve.
GT Editor: Did you come out with all the sprites, music and sound by yourself? If so, that must have taken years of training! Where did you accumulate such experience?
ZH: I did sprites and programming for the game, A-rival Luke was in charge of music and I had a friend Geo to help out with background tiles sprite. I did sprite work for fan games since may be 2006 just for leisure.
GT Editor: Some people were complaining online that Capcom is simply ripping off a fan’s work and published the game under their name. To be fair, what assistance did Capcom provide to you that you can share?
ZH: First of all both franchises are owned by Capcom, I am happy enough they did not sue me and release the game. They provided feedbacks and we have weekly updates. They also provided lots of exposure for the game. They have also setup booth to showcase the game in SF 25 anniversary tournament finals, made trailer with 1.4+million viewers. The game would not have done as well if not for their help.
GT Editor: By now, lots of people around the world would have downloaded and played your game. How do you feel about being a Singaporean who put Singapore in the world map for game development?
ZH: I am happy of course, But I hope that someday I could make something original as successful or better. I still feel a little surreal about the project and I was very lucky
GT Editor: Most of us just play games. What gives you the inspiration to develop your own game?
ZH: I had lots of idea when playing games, I really enjoy putting my thoughts into a game and watching things happen in reality.
GT Editor: What other games have you built? Can we download and play them as well?
ZH: I helped out with street of rage remake, but it was shut down by sega due to copyright issues. Most of my previous personal projects are just for practices and have many copyright issues. SFXMM is probably my first serious project.
GT Editor: Any future projects that you are working on such as SF x MM 2?
ZH: I am focusing on school work for the next semester. No news on a sequel now, but I could not talk about it even if there is news.
GT Editor: Since you will be graduating soon, would you be getting a game developer job in Singapore? Or have you think about working overseas?
ZH: High chances overseas as a game developer. As of now, its difficult to get a job with good incentives and high creative control at the same time especially when I am a fresh grad. I do pretty normal in school and singapore focuses a lot on academic.
GT Editor: Most games that we played today are from developers in Japan, US and Europe. Do you think Singapore can one day be a country that produce games loved by people around the world?.
ZH: Yes, the game developing scene is evolving in Singapore and we have a little recognition here and there already. Example, Imaginary Friend Studio artwork.
GT Editor: What do you think of the prospect of a game developer in Singapore.
ZH: I think there is much more opportunity to go into game development industry as compared to the past.
In terms of growth in the field I find that it might be difficult for us if we were to join a big company in Singapore.
I get the impression that Singapore is just being outsource for less mainstream titles or work that requires minimal creative content. On the other hand I think some of us are really well trained in the skills that are required to work in the game industry and deserves better. Many strong programmers that I know of just go indie instead. Another issue that a game developer may have in Singapore is the way how academic focused Singaporeans are.
I have seen first class students who cannot even code a polytechnic level algorithm and I have also seen people struggling with their academics but able to produce industrial standard projects. I find that companies should be aware of this matter and creativity is one of the most important aspect in this field which cannot be measured. I am not sure if this is the result of the educational system or the way companies hire new workers.
It depends on what the developers here wants. To me, I find that it is hard to have both Creative control and prospect in this field in Singapore.
I must add that I am still very new and might be wrong about these issues.
One would probably have better prospect in US or Japan if he is able to get a job there as of now.
No doubt the gaming industry in Singapore is still at it’s infancy stage. Compared to countries like US and Japan, people hardly know of any home-grown games. We hope that Street Fighter X Mega Man can be remembered not only a high quality fan-game but a game developed fully in Singapore by our local talents. We certainly look forward to seeing more games by Singaporeans! Do drop us an email at blog[at]gametrader[dot]sg if you heard of any worthy news on game development in Singapore!
