The old year has ended so it's time to look back at what happened in the world of mobile gaming during 2009.
Equally, the lessons of history are useless without a future to demonstration what we've learnt, so as well as asking various notables about their view on the past 12 months, we're also getting them to look ahead to 2010.
You can see the full list of our end of year interviews here.
Developer Aurora Feint didn't release any games in 2009, although VSL (working title), its free-to-play social networked game, is expected in early 2010.
Instead, it kickstarted the social gaming networking sector with the release of its OpenFeint technology.
Jason Citron is Aurora Feint's co-founder.
Pocket Gamer: What was the most significant event of 2009?
Jason Citron: Apple's launch of iPhone OS 3.0 with in-app purchases.
What was the most significant event for Aurora Feint?
We launched OpenFeint 1.0 in March at the iPhone Games Forum, and ever since then things haven't been the same for us. I also flew to Japan for the first time to talk to DeNA, who eventually invested in Aurora Feint.
Now, eight or so months later, we have over 7 million players and close 700 games using OpenFeint. Quite frankly, I'm humbled and thrilled by the whole experience.
What was your favourite mobile game of 2009?
Jet Car Stunts, no doubt. It was seriously crazy hardcore social competition on the iPhone. For a good two weeks, everyone at our office was running around yelling "I beat your score on Just Learning A sucka!"
What do you predict will be the most important trends in 2010?
I think in-app purchases will really hit their stride this year as more developers experiment and find success with it. The potential to disrupt existing business models is enormous. Apple just needs to make a few changes to their licence agreement and we'll be off.
If you could enforce one New Year's resolution, what would it be?
Stop making girlfriend and fart apps.
Thanks to Jason for his time.
You can follow OpenFeint via web and Twitter.
Interview
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
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