I mentioned yesterday I'd been playing Dungeon Fighter on my Netbook. As I played it, it struck me that, with this game, I now had something to play when I travelled, all in convenient Netbook size.
Then it struck me and I nearly yelled "It really IS a portable game device!"
Yes, I've discussed this in the podcasts, speculated on it in columns, but I suddenly felt it. There I was, with the device I use to write columns and books, the device that goes with me on trips, realizing that indeed it was powerful enough to be an entertainment device as well.
I'd never installed any games on it until now as simply I never really wanted to. But seeing the game go on, seeing it run, made it very apparent to me how the convenience of the technology and the portability. Suddenly it became real and my abstract speculations became solid – as I battled monsters and sought out crafting materials.
This made me realize a few things:
- Gamers will game on anything if possible. We like games and we want them everywhere. Portable tech of ANY kind is a potential gaming device – we do not care if it is a gaming device, we care if we can play games ON it. Suddenly Amazon's idea of Kindle games doesn't seem as stupid to me.
- Companies know gamers will play anything anywhere, and are obviously thinking about this – and have been for some time.
- This variety of devices provides smart developers a lot of potential ins. Can your game run on a Netbook? On Android? On a limited amount of memory? The proliferation of devices means a proliferation of opportunities.
- Portable tech is an area that's changing rapidly, and that's probably going to be an area to watch for game development.
- Gamers love their tech, so probably a person who has "usual" gaming devices will have other devices. That's quite a market.
So a few insights on gaming. Now, I have to go level up so I can use my new weapon . . .
– Steven Savage