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From: Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action
Subject: Re: Premium Games On Mobile Don't Work
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:28:18 -0700
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On 7/19/2024 3:43 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
> 
> 
> On mobile devices - mostly phones, but tablets too* - there's really
> two classes of games. There's the free-to-play stuff, which usually is
> infested with adverts, spyware, micro transactions, and atrocious
> gameplay that in no way resembles the advertising for the game.
> 
> And then there are that much rarer breed: premium games. Usually ports
> or adaptations of games on console/PC, they feature much more robust
> gameplay, less reliance on MTX, usually no adverts, and come with a
> hefty price of entry.
> 
> Also, they don't sell.
> 
> AT least, that's what a recent article** on GameIndustry.biz claims,
> partly based on a report the mobile port of "Resident Evil 7" has made
> less than $30,000 since it was released on Apple iOS. Honestly, I've
> no reason to disbelieve them.
> 
> I've a little less confidence in their explanation for these failures,
> however. The author of the article points out that sales are probably
> low because mobile gamers are used to free games (so paying is an
> alien concept), or that the mobile game market is over-saturated with
> products already, or that premium games are usually ports of
> PC/console games that people have already bought and played elsewhere,
> or that there's probably not a huge overlap between people who like
> mobile games and people who like PC/console titles.
> 
> All of which are viable arguments. But it ignores a big reason:
> premium games on mobile aren't fun. They demand an entirely different
> style of gameplay, and -coupled with the limited interface options on
> mobile- the end result is not a rewarding experience. Touch-screen
> controls are fine for quick bouts of "Candy-crush" or "Pokemon Go" but
> it becomes tiresome controller for more intense games like "Resident
> Evil 7". Yes, you can play a game like that on a phone, and no it
> doesn't automatically make the game irredeemably terrible... but it
> significantly impacts how you play and how much fun you'll have.
> 
> Premium games on mobile are just an inferior experience. Why pay
> through the nose for a game you won't enjoy as much? Especially when
> there are so many free alternatives that... well, they may be equally
> execrable, but at least you've not lightened your wallet
> significantly!
> 
> There are good mobile games available that aren't grindy MTX
> factories; some even require you to pay up front. But these are rarely
> grouped in with 'premium games'. The good ones take into account the
> hardware and gaming habits on the mobile platform. Premium games
> expect you to use the device like it was a computer or console. Is it
> any wonder the latter aren't financially successful?
> 
> There's no indication that we'll see an end to Premium games on
> mobile; even if they don't sell well, they serve as marketing
> reminding people that these games exist on other platforms. But
> honestly, I wouldn't be too upset if they did disappear. They're not
> worth playing -much less paying for- anyway.
> 
> What do you think? Is there a market for premium games? Or are
> companies just throwing their money out the window selling them?

You can get a controller for mobile.  My wife has one and plays some 
games on her phone or tablet.

Personally I don't really see the use of a tablet. If I'm at home I'm 
playing on my PC, if I'm out, I'm not dragging my tablet with me.

I've ran across some premium games I really like on Apple Arcade (which 
my wife has the sub for.) Like the one Teenage Mutant Ninja game that's 
a semi-clone of Hades.  Unfortunately yes, it feels like a controller 
would be much better than the touch joystick, I'm not carrying one 
around to where I'd be playing my phone though, so that invalidates 
that.  And I'm not going to be playing on my phone much if at all when 
I'm home and have access to my PC.

I thought about emulating on my PC to play it, but it's iphone only and 
couldn't find any good emulation.


-- 
-Justisaur

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