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Creating multi-platform casual games
December 19, 2011No commentsAfter its phenomenal success on the iOs platform, Angry Birds was made available for mobile phones using the Android OS, Symbian, Windows 7, and on Playstation Portable. Lately, it is playable on Google’s Chrome web browser. Obviously, games and apps that run on multi-platform devices reach a bigger market, so more casual games game developers are now making their apps available across different OS.
Here are some tips on making hit casual games for multiple platforms:
Love ‘em all.
Be torn no longer between the iOS and the Android OS– you can play your favorite game on both. Most multi-platform casual games run across various operating systems: Apple iOs, Google Android, Linux, and Blackberry Playbook to name a few.
2. Rise above challenges.
Developing cross-platform casual games is all about unifying the diverse nature of several technologies. These are some of the roadblocks that game developers meet and how to overcome each:
- Screen resolution and DPI– each mobile device has a different screen resolution and ratio of dots per inches. For example, take a look at how each tablet differs.
Gaming Device
Pixel size
Dots per inches
BlackBerry PlayBook
600 x 1024
192
Apple iPad 2
768 x 800
240
Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tab
800 x 1280
142
Content scaling should be adjusted to each device to ensure that images are not cropped or pixelated.
- Different input methods – how do players interact with the app– do they do it through mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen? Reconciling different inputs is crucial.For instance, a mobile device may support multi-touch gestures (like the iPad), but other gadgets can’t do the same. Game developers should be able to come up with alternative input methods without sacrificing the gameplay.
3.Speak their language
Some platforms are restrictive to the programming language used. But thanks to new cross-platform development tools, game developers can now be multi-lingual. Here are just some of them:
Open Source
OS covered
RhoMobile
iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, RIM, Symbian
Widgetpad
iOS, Android, WebOS
PhoneGap
iOS, Android, Palm, Symbian, BlackBerry
4. Go Social.
The popularity of casual games is attributed to their easy-share feature. Imagine creating a cross-platform app that can be played on different devices and can be shared on social sites. It will gain a strong following of casual gamers in no time. Developing multiple platforms games is about taking fun to a whole new level by making apps more available for different players – no matter what their gadget may be!
PODD joins Japan and ASEAN representatives for Digital Content Forum
December 07, 2011No comments
Representing the Philippine gaming industry, PODD joins leaders from various organizations in Japan and from ASEAN neighbor countries to discuss digital gaming content opportunities. PODD’s CEO Christine Rom was one of the 30 representatives from different sector groups ranging from music publishers, animators, and game developers who were in attendance during the three-day event held at the Grand Park City Hall in Singapore last November 10 – 12, 2011.
The ASEAN-Japan Forum on the Development of Contents Industry has a theme centered on “Creation, Commercialization, and Protection of Digital Contents.” This event is also a fine opportunity for the representatives of the 10 ASEAN Member Countries to share experiences on digital media production and how to safeguard their rights as content producers. The forum paves the way for creating networking opportunities for business matching, and building linkages not only with Japan but with other ASEAN neighbors.
Organized by the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) to make Japan the catalyst for development of content-based industry, the “Cool Japan Experience” also highlights the Anime Festival Asia 2011 which aims to bring a new multi-dimensional knowledge of the country’s homogenous culture.
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