I-play boss: 'I'd like to see a dedicated iPhone Games Store'
Oberon Media COO Don Ryan would like to see Apple separate out its App Store from its games offering.
"Id like to see a dedicated Games store and a dedicated Apps store on the iPhone," says Ryan, whose company includes mobile publisher I-play.
"Like the App store button located currently on the iPhone device home page, a games store button on the iPhone device home page would help filter consumers and drive more overall iPhone game and apps sales by offering a more streamlined purchase experience."
Although Apple is rumoured to be working on a premium section of the App Store for games, there's been no suggestion so far that it might launch a separate store entirely for games.
Meanwhile, Ryan is impressed by the new features debuting in the iPhone 3.0 software, picking out subscription billing, Bluetooth P2P and push notification in particular.
"We are extremely bullish on the effects subscription will bring to the iPhone games market," he says. "As evidenced in the success of subscription models in mobile gaming, iPhone subscription based products project to drive greater revenue for developers and publishers, while providing consumers with a richer and fresher gaming experience."
Meanwhile, Ryan says the new Bluetooth capabilities in iPhone 3.0 will make device-to-device interactions easier, and remove the need for a wi-fi connection.
"These connected features bode well for our Fast & Furious racing games," he says. "Our Pink Slip racing feature, or wi-fi device to device racing will be even more fun since it is easier to play and get connected with Bluetooth - there is no need for wi-fi."
Finally, Ryan says push notification will be an important feature going forward, helping publishers like I-play to build communities and viral marketing campaigns.
"iPhone users can invite friends to play, send and receive updated videos or high scores via social networking sites such as Facebook, My Space and Twitter, and do so from anywhere," he says.