EA Opens ‘Micro-Studio,’ Teases First Offering
New EA dev shop 8lb Gorilla – because it’s a fun-size version of the 800-pound simian now bankrolling it – is up, running and looking to deliver a new iPhone/iPod Touch title every month.
According to TouchArcade, the mission of the ‘micro-studio’ is a departure from Electronic Arts’ previous mobile M.O. – which offered mobile adaptations of major IPs, with prices to match. 8 Lb. Gorilla will instead be focused on delivering games at a 99-cent price point, with a fun-to-complexity ratio you’d expect for casual fare.
In other words, something like Zombies & Me (above) – which 8lb Gorilla said play testers could understand in less than 10 seconds. They’re hoping simple controls and a zany premise – in which you save grandma’s house by herding swarming zombies under falling munitions – will translate to success. Zombies & Me will be released “soon.”
Going forward, they’re hoping to roll out these kind of popcorn games one-a-month, assuming no delays in the App Store approval process. I’m wondering if, because of EA connections and relationships, that will go smoother for them than for the indie developers whose turf they’re pinching.
Exclusive: Introducing EA’s Micro-Studio, 8lb Gorilla and ‘Zombies & Me’ [TouchArcade via Joystiq]
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Ahhh... more market saturation of half baked ideas implemented by half assed minds.
Dolla dolla bill ya'll
Oban
@Vespene:
I dont get the "hardcore" comment. I play both those games you suggested and have clocked them on hard. Yet I find myself having a lot of fun with other styles of games on my iphone..... maybe Im just that hardcore.
@Vespene: Quest is pretty much the only one that really would carry hardcore appeal. It's an old-school mid-nineties PC type RPG.
Wait, hardcore like Gears? Well, I guess if someone's a masochist they could try Doom Resurrection..
edit: huh.. where did that blank post come from? very odd o.0;
@Vespene:
@mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta: I've played a ton of iphone games on my Touch. To this day, I still don't see it being great for anything other than adventure games. The best game I've played on the thing thus far is Quest. It's obnoxiously hard to get the touchscreen right for anything actiony, and the accellometer is woeful for gaming. I've given the games a fair shake, and still don't see the iphone being such a great thing gamewise.
Maybe next gen, when they introduce a control pad or keyboard or something
No love for the Palm Pre? We need games too, you know.
@Vespene:
I was quite satisfied with MGS Touch. But I could always go for something like a Ghost Babel adventure.
Squirrelbot3000
Oh great more Zombie games :/
*looks at his name tag*
I mean, WOW THIS IS THE REAL DEAL. I cannot personally wait for such a masterpiece to come out. I will be eagerly waiting for some more previews and such.
If this stuido lives up to what they are saying, these guys could become an addiction to me....
@Delano_J: But, but, I thought tower defenses were hardcore!
That screen from "Zombies & Me" reminds me a lot of "Night of the Living Dead." It had a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, at night, surrounded by zombies. I'm guessing the devs got a little inspiration from that; and if I can light a recliner on fire to scare zombies off, I'm definitely purchasing this!
Gortexfogg
@Outkastprince: the iPhone/iPod Touch screen sizes is barely a half in smaller, but has a denser pixel count, so it's MUCH sharper.
and it's the pixel density, or lack of it, that gives you a headache from looking at a small screen.
TonyRockyHorror
@Vespene: Everything about the iPhone screams casual. Not that that's a bad thing but if something caters to the hardcore it would simultaneously be a killer app. If something is as good as Gears, MGS, GTA or Halo, how many hardcore gamers are willing to change carriers, pay contract-breaking penalties and drop $300 for a new iPhone to play one game and have a neat gizmo? Not many.
Delano_J
@Vespene: I feel that phone's shouldn't try and appeal to core gamers. It usually ends in bad things... *cough*n-gage*cough*. Now with that said nothing will kill the iphone, it just wont be able to give you that experience that dedicated gaming hardware can, but for quick gaming on the go its perfect.
You're going to start seeing a LOT of this. EA won't be the only one.
TonyRockyHorror
It's alreadly available.
Lstormy10
@Vespene: Why wait? Grab a PSP and play Monster Hunter today!
@Outkastprince: Fair enough. I'm thinking my comment acted as an inb4 and will deter flaming. We'll see shortly.
mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta
Owen, that "fun size gorilla" remark is the wittiest thing I've read in looong time. Kudos to you, good sir.
@mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta: I suffer from headaches after playing games so this could be a personal problem. Hopefully the users have compassion and don't bite. XD
@Outkastprince: NDS/PSP...?
[ZTF]NSF Operative
@Outkastprince: O_O Edit your comment. QUICK. Before the fury comes down.
mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta
@mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta: Playing games on a small screen for hours on end? I just don't see them being a big competition, though I do see them merging with tylenol in the near future.
iPhone games are becoming more and more sohpisticated. I wonder if Apple won't become a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world in years to come, considering the number of large publishers working with Apple to exploit the more cash-disposable parts of the iPhone demographic?
mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta
99-Cents? That's either a EA game I play with my tongue out for a couple of minutes or a bottle Arizona tea. I just don't know, got my hands going up and down here.
I'm still waiting for an iPhone game that appeals to the hardcore the way an MGS or Gears or War does.