It's strange to think that the tablet in its current form effectively didn't exist before 2010.
Since the launch of Apple's first iPad, however, consumers have adopted slates at an incredible rate. The question, then, is how should developers design games for what is a growing userbase that shows no sign of slowing down?
Tablets may look like stretched smartphones, but is it sensible to apply smartphone design sensibilities to tablet games?
A bit rich
"Tablets allow for such a rich experience, you cannot just port from one to the other," explained Mindshapes co-founder Christian Doffer at the outset of a panel discussion at today's Smartphone & Tablet Games Summit .
"You have to optimise for each format."
Game designer and consultant Tadhg Kelly agreed, saying: "the traditional route for many developers is to just stretch out their iPhone app. Most of the time, though, that produces quite unsatisfactory experiences."
Tablet-first?
But Applififer evangelist Oscar Clark was unconvinced when other panellists extolled the virtues of a tablet-first development strategy.
"I don't think it's helpful to focus on tablet-first. That's an interesting strategy right now, but in the long-term, I think that will be a broken strategy," Clark said.
Instead, developers should focus on content first, and then concern themselves with optimising it for the platforms they intend to deliver it on, Clark contested.
Of course, Supercell is well known for its tablet-first development strategy, and it's one that has paid dividends.
The Finnish company recently announced that Clash of Clans and Hay Day were generating a total of $500,000 a day that's $15 million a month before Apple takes its share.
News
Related Articles
News
Nov 15th, 2012
Smartphone & Tablet Games Summit 2012: The golden age of low-cost user acquisition is over
Top Stories
News
5 hours, 48 minutes ago
Roblox launches video ads, partnering with IAS to deliver transparent metrics
News
6 hours, 58 minutes ago
LinkedIn gets games as three puzzlers go live on the workplace social service
News
8 hours, 50 minutes ago
Revolutionising feedback: Pocket Gamer Connects partners with AI-powered tool Voop
News
9 hours, 5 minutes ago
Partner events are the latest trend in Monopoly GO!, Royal Match and Project Makeover
Feature
11 hours, 5 minutes ago
AI everywhere: Using neural networks for asset creation, marketing and more
Feature
Apr 30th, 2024
Hear MORE from the experts - eight MORE fabulous fireside chats from PGC London 2024
Events
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |