Apple's recent unveiling of their next-generation iPhone platform has many in the industry buzzing, particularly gamers. Faster-processing, in-game DLC, and most importantly OpenGL 2.0 support that promises to offer gamers better graphics and smoother frame-rates. But one of the platforms most staunch supporters thinks the changes go further than just better shading and pixels, as head of development house Fishlabs's Michael Schade is beyond optimistic:
"The OpenGL 2.0 support will push the iPhone beyond [Sony's] PSP,"
A bold, if random statement from one of the iPhone/iPod Touch's most interesting developers, known for their graphically impressive 3D results on Apple's growing mobile platform. While Schade acknowledges that most Apps may not benefit from the additional features from the new technology, he does comment on the potential shift from Apple's universal mobile platform into something PC gamers should be more than familiar with:
"It creates some fragmentation but we can still support all devices with just one SKU that detects automatically what device it's running on, and switches to the best graphics automatically."
One of the most attractive features of writing App software/gaming for the iPhone/iPod Touch platform is the relative compatibility across the various hardware versions. Apple's 3GS represents the biggest shift from that universality to date, and it will be interesting to see how developers can harness the increased power of the new hardware - without alienating the millions of current users.
Thanks to PocketGamer!
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