Pocket PCs, Wi-Fi, and Other Wonders of Modern Man

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gamespotting/030903/2.html' target='_blank'>http://gamespot.com/gamespot/featur...g/030903/2.html</a><br /><br /></div>"In short, Pocket PCs are a gadget lover's dream. They're expandable, you can do plenty of cool stuff on them, and they can play some pretty decent games, too. To date, the game that has been getting the most of my attention is EverQuest. While it isn't online like its PC and PS2 cousins, it's an old-school, isometric hack-and-slash RPG very similar to Diablo in many respects. Most importantly, it retains the questing elements of EQ that so many know and love. While my hopes for being able to play online via Wi-Fi connection haven't come true yet, I'm perfectly content with power leveling offline. <br /><br />In addition to EverQuest, there are plenty of other great games available that aren't shareware. Capcom offers a full line of classic arcade games, such as Ghosts 'N Goblins, 1942, and Legendary Wings, among others. ZioSoft, a publisher based out of Korea, offers versions of SimCity 2000, Age of Empires, and a Spawn shooter that looks pretty darn cool. The big question I'm sure you're asking yourself is whether or not the Pocket PC is a viable gaming platform. Simply put, the answer is no. While there is no shortage of familiar games available to play on it, it's not a platform made for gaming. The fact that it can play games is a great perk, but I can't imagine that most people who buy PDAs purchase them for their gaming capabilities."

[B]

"Simply put, the answer is no. While there is no shortage of familiar games available to play on it, it's not a platform made for gaming. The fact that it can play games is a great perk, but I can't imagine that most people who buy PDAs purchase them for their gaming capabilities."

I acknowledge most people that purchase PDAs don't buy them *to* play games, but I would contend they *expect* to be able to play games.

I believe this is partly a chicken and egg problem (it isn't a gaming platform because people don't buy it to play games, people don't buy it to play games because it isn't a gaming platform).

There were ***lots*** of people at this year's Game Developers Conference interested in making games for mobile devices (me included) all expecting huge growth in this market - basically expecting consumers to want gaming on mobile devices. Most of the audience was primarily focused on cell phones, but lots were also thinking PDAs.

Unfortunately controls on PDAs are a limiting factor (how long did it take to get chording). It would be nice to have button layouts more conducive to gaming which would encourage more people to think - hmmm, maybe I don't need a GameBoy - I already have my PocketPC and can play any of these gazillion games on it.

[Xyress]

Gaming was a *huge* concern for me when I bought my Dell Axim. I previously had an EM-500 which was one of the few Gameboy-esque button layouts. While not perfect, the Dell Axim does handle emulators very nicely.

Whenever I decide to upgrade again, gaming will definitely be in the forefront of my mind. I figure all PocketPCs will be able to run all of the other programs I use, but few will have good enough controls for serious emulation gaming, so that's the main feature I look for.

[Joff]

I agree with you B, most poeple would buy a PDA expecting to be able to play games with it. I bought my PDA partly because I like to play games but it was not the only motivation. It is a bit like with my PC, I partly use it for games but also for Internet, multi-media and programming.

I, also, would like to see more support for gaming like with hardware button layout and the multi-press issues as well. Fortunately, we may soon have graphics chips for PDA and hopefully DirectX support on WinCE platform. I also want to see support in the future for wearable displays (e.g. video output and may be multi-resolution modes) but this is probably very unlikely to happen.

[Paragon]

I can't imagine that most people who buy PDAs purchase them for their gaming capabilities."

Apparently Tim Tracy has never heard the term " Multi button push" Or the ruckus that it caused when the 3600 Ipaq lacked that function.

Dave

[R K]

I can't imagine that most people who buy PDAs purchase them for their gaming capabilities."

Apparently Tim Tracy has never heard the term " Multi button push" Or the ruckus that it caused when the 3600 Ipaq lacked that function.

Oh yeah, now-a-days I buy HP iPAQs fully knowing that they aren't going to go make the same mistake twice. I do hear bits here and there on how such-&-such a device doesn't support diagonals or multiple button presses.

This debate was a hot topic back then too. The people who were tired of hearing the complaints about multiple-button presses and diagonals would tell the complainers to "get a Gameboy".

With such brilliant transreflective screens and thriving multimedia capabilities, I don't see why consumers nor developers should leave the Pocket PC out as a viable gaming platform. When the Pocket PC is taken a bit more seriously in this arena, I'm sure the device manufacturers will start taking button placement into further consideration. I think button placements are taking a back seat to overall style and look these days. Buttons aren't too limiting right now though because Pocket PCs have stylus input--something that other gaming platforms are lacking.

[Xyress]

The current generation of PocketPCs also do not have enough power to emulate the SNES/Genesis/GBA generation of consoles ... but once they do, the issue of having enough buttons (and in the right location) will be very important in emulating those systems.

I think a PocketPC manufacturer would have to actually market their PocketPC towards gamers if they actually put out a device with 4 action buttons on the right & a D-pad on the left (and what about the SNES shoulder buttons?).

In short, I don't think we're going to get much better gaming PocketPCs for a long time - NES & Gameboy are about the end of the line as far as emulation goes.

[Bandito]

I think the answer to the gaming problem is not in the device itself but in the controller. We all agree that Pocket PCs are capable gaming platforms... the problem lies in button layout and controls. Personally, I am really hoping to see a Bluetooth game pad developed that can be used on any device, [shameless self plug] as per my article over at http://www.bluetoothnews.com/features/bluetooth_at_home.htm . This way we could all use our existing Pocket PCs and enjoy console-type controls.

[cherring]

Despite what I say about my machine, I didn't buy it for work. I bought it because it's a cool toy and although I wasn't specifically thinking of games, I mostly play around with it.

[Yuta]

Jason, I've been reading forums for BE-300, ViewSonic, E-310 and Axim (As you see, the cheaper devices available over time). And I can tell you that I've seen lots of posts saying they were mainly interested in gaming with the device.
Tipical thread: "Is it good for gaming?".

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Well for sure many consumers are interested in gaming capabilities, but people don't buy Palms because of gaming and this is where many PPC manufacterers would like to steal marketshare from.

Additionally, while the consumer market likes games, it's far less important in the corporate market, where the majority of revenue (at least at one time) was based from.

In any case, the Casio EM500 / E125 had the virtually perfect D-Pad & button layout and it was all downhill from there. The next PPC that supports that same button layout will have a rather ideal gaming-capable system.

[Yorch]

One of the main reasons why I chose to switch from Palm to Pocket PC is for the game possibilities, there are very high quality games out there for PPC like Age of Empires, TombRaider, Argentum, Darxide, Snailz, Everquest, just to name a few, but Palm games are a little bland in graphics and power.

when I saw the graphics on the Pocket Pc I wanted one, and like we all guys are. WE WANT MORE POWER!!! (in a Tim Allen voice "auurrhhggg!")

[B]

...Personally, I am really hoping to see a Bluetooth game pad developed that can be used on any device...

If a user wanting a credible gaming experience has to buy a Bluetooth game pad then the game market for PDAs will remain small. The percentage of the population having a PDA is already small (in relative terms to other platforms) - the number of people with an add-on game pad that keep it with them whenever they have their PDA will always be much smaller.

Developers create games for platforms that are likely to make them money. Make the default configuration of the device game friendly and by default it will become a gaming platform.

I'm not against Bluetooth game pads, but to grow the market all devices out of the box must be game friendly. Manufacturers must come to realize the potential that exists for explosive growth were they to make a device that could be used for business but was also a great platform for gaming.