What Games Are

The Reviewers Are Wrong About Ouya [Microconsoles]

 

The subject of my latest column on TechCrunch is essentially that microconsoles have a perception problem, leading them to be reviewed in the wrong context. The full article is available here.

Real Money Gaming Is Really Boring [TechCrunch]

For me, the questions around the gambling industry - and the possibillity that cash gaming may become legal in the United States - is less about morals and more about how dull that news is. As a sector, gambling is so conservative in its products (i.e. the games) that there's just very little to get excited about, and a key example of how behaviorism alone leads to uncreative design. 

That's the subject of my article this week on TechCrunch. 

(By the way, I know I've been very quiet for the last few weeks. This is because I emigrated, with all the attendant stresses that that involves. Will be back writing regularly soon.)

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Of Spaceteam And "Local" Games [TechCrunch]

I think Spaceteam might be a founderwork. Specifically it might be the first really good example of what I supposed "local" games might look like back in 2011. That's the subject of my column on TechCrunch this weekend.

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Games In 2013: Transitions and Disruptions [TechCrunch]

How big a deal is the regenerating console cycle? What effect will the Windows Store have on the PC gaming ecosystem? Are social game developers going to permit themselves to experiment with the formula more? Is cash gaming going to kill or save Zynga? What’s the Ouya really going to do?

These and similar questions are the subject of my article on TechCrunch this week. 2013 is shaping up to be a big year of transitions and disruptions, so gaze into my crystal ball…

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Get Your Ass to Metro [TechCrunch]

My TechCrunch column over the weekend talked about Windows 8 Metro (or whatever it's called these days) and the likely gold-rush opportunity that has opened up around it. It's not a rush that will last long, however, so strike while the iron is hot.

Read the rest here.

 

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Tablet First, Mobile Second [TechCrunch]

In my most recent column on TechCrunch I advocated that it's time to stop thinking of tablets as streteched-out mobiles, and develop games for them as a primary platform. With over 100m iPads sold, the launch of the Mini, and many more from other manufacturers to follow, the tablet is no longer just a big-assed iPod Touch.

Here's the rest of the article.

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(PS: This past month has been very busy with a great deal of travel, which is why I haven't posted as much as usual. November should be better.)

Are You Crowd-Ready? [TechCrunch]

My latest column on TechCrunch asks whether your game is really in the right place for crowdfunding. Crowdfunding has become a very real path to funding for the sorts of games and projects with a marketing story. However those that fail often do because the particular crowd you're after is not big enough to sate your ambition, the story is merely a potential story, or the crowd is not yet aware of crowdfunding platforms.

Here's a link to the article in full.

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The San Francisco Games Revolution is Over [TechCrunch]

While the social/mobile story had its origins in a dozen different places, it coalesced into a real marketing story in the Bay Area. The resulting revolution fundamentally changed games, both in how we think of them and how the business of games works. Lessons have been learned from the revolution, but its shortcomings also became apparent and eventually overtook it. This is why I think that the "San Francisco Revolution" is over. 

Read more at TechCrunch.

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Mobile/Social Games Are Not Safe [TechCrunch}

My latest TechCrunch post talks about a popular misconception over Facebook vs mobile social games. Many providers seem to think that the pressures that have applied in the browser space (currently causing Zynga much pain) do not apply to them. In my opinion they are very wrong.

You can read more about it here.

 

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On Crowdfunding Fixing The Woes Of Games Investing [TechCrunch]

My column for TechCrunch this week talks about the inherent difficulties of investing in actual games (rather than game technologies or distribution), and my hopes for crowdfunding being able to solve that.

Here's the article

 

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