As befits a developer that pushes the technological boundaries, Gameloft has been looking forward to the launch of iOS 8.
Most obviously, it’s very keen on the graphical possibilities of the new Metal API.
One game getting additional shininess is Modern Combat 5, which is getting its own Metal update.
This will provide very important eye-candy:
- Denser explosions and RPG rocket trails
- Five times more particles including awesome impact particles for intense gunfights
- Richer environments and weather effects
- Improved heat haze and god rays
Of course, you’ll need to install iOS 8, but in keeping with the way Apple has rolled out the new API, these new effects will be limited to the most contemporary devices running Apple’s A7 and A8 chips.
That’s iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, and iPad Mini Retina - currently a fairly small percentage of active iOS devices: around 20 percent of iPhones and 17 percent of iPads, although on the phone side this number was announced prior to the launch of iPhone 6.
Driving hard
Similarly, Asphalt 8: Airborne is also being updated with new content, new cars, head-to-head multiplayer and up to three times as many cars on screen as before.
Again, this is restricted to iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, and iPad Mini Retina.
Being a company that still relies on paid games for a large part of its portfolio, Gameloft is also releasing some App Bundles onto the App Store.
The Modern Combat Bundle costs $9.99 and consists of Modern Combat 3, Modern Combat 4, and Modern Combat 5.
The other bundle combines Gangstar Vegas and Modern Combat 5 for $7.99.
Finally, Gangstar Vegas is using the new widgets system, which will enable players to see events directly from the notification screen, click on the notifications to enter new events directly, and claim rewards from events, directly from the notification screen.
