Category: Mobile Gaming

Glass could be the next powerful mobile gaming platform

Google Glass may come to play a major role in gaming, especially that of the mobile variety. As one of the largest technology organizations in the world, Google has a strong position in the gaming field, largely because its Android mobile operating system is one of the most popular mobile gaming platforms. The company’s augmented reality glasses could soon change the way people experience their games and independent game developers are turning to Glass to revolutionize gaming.

Indie developers are beginning to turn to Glass for its augmented reality capabilities

Glass has not yet been officially released, but a relatively small number of developers and tech industry professionals have advance models of the device. Glass is already capable of taking pictures, capturing video, and engaging in various forms of social media, but a growing number of indie game developers and crafting mobile games specifically for the platform. Because of the device’s augmented reality capabilities, it is quite popular among developers that are interested in producing highly interactive games.

Developers could use AR to create more interactive games

The majority of applications currently available on Google Glass are designed with social media and content creation in mind. Developers are beginning to bring ambitious mobile games to the platform, however. Games like Mind Pirate have recently found their way to Glass, aiming to provide an innovative gaming experience for Glass users. Some of these games focus on the augmented reality capabilities of the platform, leveraging this technology to turn the real world into a gaming environment.

Mobile gaming is becoming a priority for some large development studios and publishers

Mobile gaming has become a very powerful force in the overarching game industry. The field is primarily composed of small developers that are independent of publishers, but large game studios are beginning to enter into the mobile space. As large development studios begin to take mobile gaming seriously, they too may see the promise in augmented reality technology and Glass. Companies like Sony and Microsoft are already taking steps to develop their own AR headsets in order to capture the wonderment of interactive gaming.

PhoneJoy makes it easier for mobile gamers to play games with greater complexity.

More and more complex games are popping up in the mobile gaming industry and, although players are starting to feel the limitations of touchscreen controls, they may be able to overcome their struggles using the Android and iOS compatible PhoneJoy Bluetooth game controller.

The expandable gamepad can be attached directly to the smartphone or used as a separate handheld controller.

The PhoneJoy controller features a start button, two analog sticks, four action buttons, a d-pad, four shoulder buttons and back buttons. When attached to a smartphone, it looks something like the Sony Playstation Vita and other similar portable gaming consoles.

The smartphone is placed between the two controller halves and the phone is secured in place with a sprung ratchet mechanism. The phone can be held in a vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) position. How the mobile device is positioned depends on the user’s preferences and on the type of game that is being played.

This mobile gaming controller does not need to be hooked up to a smartphone to work, however. It can also be used as a standalone handheld controller. Thus, it can also work with a tablet, giving mobile gamers greater flexibility and more than one control option when playing mobile games.

Currently, there are approximately 400 Android and iOS games that support the mobile gaming gadget.

The PhoneJoy gamepad uses the standard Bluetooth features that come with the average smartphone. Users can utilize the PhoneJoy app or the standard Bluetooth settings in their handset to pair the controller with the phone. The user interface and touchscreen can be used normally once paired, but once the game starts, the controller will send the appropriate inputs to any app that is well coded.

Once the PhoneJoy app is downloaded it will help users with their initial Bluetooth connection and will also give them a list of mobiles games that work with the gamepad. Furthermore, users can download the app prior to purchasing the actual device to determine if the controller would be ideal for their specific mobile gaming experience. The PhoneJoy is now available for purchase but was initially funded through Kickstarter.