Gaming Blog

Apple iPad

New iPad a “Graphics Powerhouse”

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The iPad 3 has finally been unveiled, and whilst hardcore gamers may keep on dismissing it as a serious gaming device for its lack of compatible controllers its specs does make it impossible to ignore. With the power that its quad-core A5X chip brings, and the unbelievable resolution of its Retina display, there’s just no question that the iPad 3 (or simply the new iPad as Apple calls it in its website) is more than capable of running any game and giving justice to even the most graphics-intensive game.

“This new device actually has more memory and higher screen resolution than an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3,” said Mike Capps, CEO of Epic Games. “So, these guys [Apple] are redefining mobile gaming again.”

Of course, “casual games”, which are really the most popular sort of games you’ll find played on iPads don’t need the power boost. However, we can expect even these games to look so much better with the increased resolution display of 2047 by 1536 pixels (compared to the iPad 2’s 1024 by 768 pixels).

So with the new iPad powerful enough to handle even the most power-intensive PC games in the market right now, we’re back to the old problem of controllers. As Scott Stein of CNet put it, “Graphics can only take you so far. My recent experience with Mass Effect: Infiltrator wasn’t a let-down because of graphics; no, at least half of the problems arose from my fumbling with the awkward controls.”

So even if Razerzone’s Project Fiona won’t be out till the end of the year, by virtue of having a built-in controller alone, it might still end up being the go-to tablet for hardcore gamers. However, as my non-gaming husband reminded me, “You can’t compare a shipping product to a Concept PC Gaming Tablet.”

Image via Apple

Tons Of Video Games For The Apple iPad

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Remember my post about the Apple iPad being a potential catalyst in the world of mobile gaming? Back then, the iPad was recently launched, and people were already pondering on the implications. A couple of months have passed, and the pondering is quickly changing into anticipation.

Now that people have gotten their hands on the iPad, reviews are mixed – no surprise there, really. What is quite exciting is the fact that almost a thousand video games have already been developed for the iPad! For a mobile computing device, it is saying a lot that video game developers are already jumping to create various products.

If you think about it, the iPad is primarily meant to serve as a cross between a smartphone and a mobile computer. With the amount of attention being given to it by the video game sector, however, it seems that it is being seen more as a mobile gaming machine!

What is in store for the mobile gamer? Reuters reports:

With seven iPad games available at launch, ngmoco is taking advantage of the multi-touch screen by allowing players of games like “Godfinger” and “We Rule” to multitask by literally sliding small game windows aside so they can focus on the bigger playing field and then read the story progression or check out friends’ castles in between.

Johnny Coghlan, head of publishing for Chillingo, which has 14 iPad games available, said the Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities allows for all of its games, including “Super Shock Football HD” and puzzle game “Quantz HD,” to incorporate Crystal integration. This is the company’s social gaming network that enables players to compete against one another and tout high scores.

Then there’s Uno, Flight Control HD, and Tetris. Now who wants to play?

Will The Apple iPad Change Mobile Gaming?

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hardware-ipad-jobsEveryone is talking about Apple’s latest product: the Apple iPad. Never mind the name – it IS kinda lame, I have to admit – but people all over the world are raving about this cute little thing. Having a screen size that’s even smaller than the smallest netbook around and a very light tag price, the iPad is certain to capture many hearts.

The question that concerns me right now, however, is whether or not the iPad will be the next big thing in mobile gaming, as some people are claiming. Peter Moore of Electronic Arts has already showed the world where he stands. He said that “If it’s got a great screen, some buttons, you can turn it on and it connects to the Internet, it’s got the ability to be a games machine.” From what I have seen, it seems to me that the iPad meets all those qualifications. And if you are shaking your head thinking that a gadget has to have more than that, think of the iPhone. Now that is one gadget that has truly changed the face of mobile gaming. Indeed, a lot of people that I know with the iPhone love it best because of the ability to download apps (a LOT of them games).

Now go back to the iPad. It has more computing power than the iPhone but it can download the same kinds of apps. For sure, more apps will be developed in the months to come. Now imagine GAMES galore on the iPad…I’ll leave you to dream of the gaming potential of this little baby.