Bioware might make iPhone games
By Erna Mahyuni
BioWare is looking at possibly developing games on platforms beyond the console and PC – like the iPhone.
Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, BioWare co-CEO Greg Zeschuk confirmed that BioWare was looking at the iPhone.
“We look at every platform that comes along. Obviously, something that’s as big a cultural and technical success as the iPhone is something you really got to take a close look at. Certainly, there’s nothing written in stone yet but we’ve got a lot of folks looking at it. It’s intriguing,” said Zeschuk.
When a company as established in the PC scene as BioWare is starts looking at the iPhone as a possible platform for their offerings, gamers should take note. But how much potential is there for mobile gaming?
Plenty, if you see how much effort Nokia is throwing into its N-Gage gaming platform, roping in industry heavyweights like EA and Konami to contribute games for N-Gage compatible phones. Metal Gear Solid is coming soon to N-Gage as well as Star Wars and Batman movie tie-in games.
Research firm Gartner sees mobile gaming revenue to go up to at least US$4.5 billion in 2008, up by 16.1 percent from US$3.9 billion in 2007. The console fanboys may scoff, saying that mobile gaming isn’t going to be able to touch console gaming’s reach. Not yet.
Gartner’s principal analyst Tuong Huy Nguyen said, “Although current consumer interest in, and usage of, mobile gaming is generally low, the potential for market growth remains lucrative.” Part of that potential is attributed to what Nguyen calls “the fact that mobile gaming provides good value for money”.
Where is the biggest regional market for mobile gaming? Unsurprisingly – Asia-Pacific. The forecast is that end-user spending will jump from US$2.3 billion in 2008 to US$3.4 billion by 2011.
Couple market potential and the halo effect surrounding Apple’s iPhone and you’ve got one heady concoction that smells ostentatiously of sweet lucre.
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