The Gamer's Quarter

FortNinety

I posted this at SB, but a part of me feels that I'll get a better reception here...

As some might know (okay, just Shaper and dhex) I recently got a new job, blogging about cell phones. I’ve been doing it for about a week now, and it’s going fairly well. You can check out what I’ve written thus far here. I’m “ZedgeNova” btw (I wanted to go with FortNinety, but my new boss insisted that a new, separate identity be created, for reasons such as branding… sure, whatever).

So… sounds boring doesn’t it? I gotta say, there’s a bunch of blogs out there already, and a lot of them kinda are. Hence why my game plan is to more or less do exactly what I’ve been doing over at my own site, except focus it on cell phones. Meaning, assorted links to interesting or wacky stuff when I come across it, mixed with opinions, insight, and inane banter/ranting from my end. As silly as it sounds, there’s more than a few “personalities” in the world of general game blogging, but very few when it comes to cell phones, and while I’m not looking to be some stupid character, there is an opening there that I’d like to fill. Anyway, I was hoping that you folks might be kind enough to check it out. The bottom line is A) my bosses want to see page views, and B) I really like this job (it’s the first decent steady gig since… ummm… ever) and I kinda want to keep it that way. So if you guys can help me keep me my job by checking by often, maybe I can offer some info or entertainment in return?

Though more importantly, I know damn well that cell phones as a platform for gaming is somewhat of a joke, and it doesn’t have to be. Maybe I’m biased because I’ve designed games for the platform in the past, and do see some potential (which to a large degree is squandered by most). I guess another main reason why I’m even mentioning it is that a few folks around here want to make games, and I feel that cell phones are an excellent platform to cut your teeth on. I’m going to try and explore issues related to making the cell phone a viable platform, its strengths, and its weakness. In that sense, I would really appreciate any and all suggestions.

I’ve done two serious pieces thus far… please check them out…

http://blog.zedge.net/2007/05/03/cell-phones-yet-another-ellis-island-for-gamers-part-1/

http://blog.zedge.net/2007/05/04/cell-phones-yet-another-ellis-island-for-gamers-part-2/

… If any of you have any direct comments or question about the piece, I hate to be a schlep, but please address them directly at the site… again, my bosses are super interested in feedback as well!

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

FortNinety · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject:

Actually, I did catch part one, but never part two. Thanks for reminding me!

And I hope you don't mind if I mention the interview over at my end. Smile

aerisdead · . Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 254 Location: Toronto, Canada

I don't have a problem with any links to Games On Deck anywhere. In fact, I'd like as many as possible.

And good luck with the new job! The mobile games biz must be on the up, with folks like us getting involved!
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aerisdead

FortNinety · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 8:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks!

Gotta say, its kinda tough. Blogging about games in general is such a breeze, given the huge variety of stuff to cover.

Most mobile blogs are just too damn technical for my tastes, and 96% of those using cell phones could care less about such things. But finding a way to connect with those folks, even a small portion, will still be a challenge.

Pijaibros · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:03 am Post subject:

One thing I've been curious about is what's going on with the N-Gage? A bit more powerful than a GBA, but not as much as a PSP. It used a pretty nice and flexible OS instead of anything by Microsoft.

Back when it was still available in stores I remember there were working NES and SNES emulators for the little taco phone. There was even GBA emulation underway. Is there a community where enthusiasts for this system gather?

I've always kinda wanted to play Pocket Kingdom.and the Elder Scrolls game that are on it.

Heck, if there's an emulator that would let me play N-Gage things on the PC that would be swell too.

Scratchmonkey · . Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1439

Stuart Campbell has a decent writeup on the N-gage.

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

FortNinety · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 7:58 am Post subject:

I actually know someone who worked for Nokia, and with the N-gage... and he really doesn't want to talk about it. Sad

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

Pijaibros · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 9:31 am Post subject:

FortNinety · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 3:23 pm Post subject:

Let me try and see if he'll sit down for an interview, or maybe just answer a few questions via email.

Oh, so since no one else has really brought it up already around here... I was a pretty big fan of Parasite Eve 2, and even as someone who's hopeful for the platform, I ain't too keen on the idea of part 3 for mobile handsets.

SuperWes · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject:

dark steve · . Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 1110

Because it's probably going to be a cruddy visual novel that you wouldn't want to play anyway?
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dark steve · . Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 1110

I mean, probably?

It's not as if they had it halfway done for a home console and they decided to shift development to this, you know? Just because some lousy cell game that's in some way related to the others gets the "3" in it's title doesn't mean you're actually missing out on something.
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FortNinety · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 10:57 am Post subject:

I’m of the belief, as previously outlined in my posts at Zedge, that cell phones could be a great avenue for games that need to be “re-birthed”, such as the new cell phone version of Katamari, which I am honestly more excited about, more so than the upcoming next-gen editions, since there’s more promise of it being actually different, unlike the PS3/360 installments which seriously looks EXACTLY the same as before, not just graphically but gameplay-wise.

FortNinety · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Hey again. One last bit of spam, I promise.

Not sure if any of you guys know this already, but I've recently begun reviewing cell phone games. For the time being, I'm concentrating on remakes of old arcade/console games. Such as...

Super Bomberman:
http://blog.zedge.net/2007/08/22/zedgeheadz-review-super-bomberman/

Burgertime:
http://blog.zedge.net/2007/08/10/zedgeheadz-review-burgertime-special/

Fatal Fury:
http://blog.zedge.net/2007/08/09/zedgeheadz-review-fatal-fury-mobile/

and Mega Man 2:
http://blog.zedge.net/2007/07/19/zedgeheadz-review-mega-man-2-for-cell-phones/

... I will tell you right now that Burgertime is maybe one of the best cell phone games available right now! I'm hoping these are helpful and to get some feedback (primarily the Bomberman one, since its been a while since playing the real deal, so some of my facts might be wrong), and not because if I don't get more site traffic soon, I'll be out of a job!

Cycle · Mac daddy Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 2767

fort do you have any tips for someone who is trying to make a mobile game
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Slonie · . Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 141

You gotta review the twin Taito trainwrecks of Chase HQ 3D and Elevator Action 3D.

(Elevator action as a FPS? Really?)
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-Slonie

dessgeega · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:30 am Post subject:

is it really bad?

i wanted to believe it could work.
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Slonie · . Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 141

Cycle · Mac daddy Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 2767

FortNinety · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:15 am Post subject: