Its an iPhone world!

[subspark]

I wonder, now with the astounding popularity of the iPhone following the long awaited release of the Apple iPhone SDK, if we will see some kind of port to the device. I've got my hands on the SDK myself and it all seems very powerful yet surprisingly simple to work with. Do you think it is likely that somebody would actively take on an iPhone port of the famous AGS Engine? What are your thoughts on this Ladies & Gentlemen/Chris?

Cheers,
Paul.

[Akatosh]

The party never ends. It goes on and on and on and on and on and on.

Which is to say, while having it "spread" would be nice, AGS sadly hasn't been ported to systems that are both more common and more powerful than the iPhone. So why should there be one for that thing?

[subspark]

So why should there be one for that thing?

A simple question deserves a simple response.
Why shouldn't AGS work on more than one system? :o

Edit: I think the question answers itself really. The iPhone is the single most infallible way of exposing a large pop culture to the wonders of AGS and it's wide range of games. That is my open, honest and educated opinion.

Paul.

[Gilbert]

I think this kind of questions has been asked to death. Currently I'll say it's more important to find someone to maintain the Linux and the MAC ports (I don't know how well they perform under Windows emulators like WINE though), rather than handheld systems.

The problem is, as always, CJ is the only person working on the engine and it's closed source. For ports to other systems we need trustable volunteers who are familiar in this systems (unless of course, CJ gets one of these systems himself and is interested in doing so).

(And no, I'm not interested in any of the handheld ports and I'm not getting an iphone for sure.)

[subspark]

For ports to other systems we need trustable volunteers who are familiar in this systems

Yes... We do. Which is why this idea keeps being suggested. We all hope somebody will take this on. It is quite clear already that Chris has his hands full with the Windows versions. Is there anyone you know Chris that might be willing to take this on as a project? I guess it really comes down to trust rather than willingness.

And no, I'm not interested in any of the handheld ports and I'm not getting an iPhone for sure.

Thats fine. Your one of about 4 billion people with an opinion on computer systems.
I agree somewhat that iPhone does have its problems. The worst one being its current 3G network plans, but the system itself is notably incredible. I can't go past that.

Cheers,
Paul.

[scotch]

I think an iPhone version would be worth it if there was a skilled and dedicated porter, it's a reasonable device for AGS to run on, and I do think it's worth supporting platforms where there may be commercial opportunties. It'd be a good draw for AGS. I don't know of anyone that'd do it. I don't own an iPhone.

I'd quite like to do a Wii port though, if it's not too much hassle for CJ. Potentially I could maintain the Linux and Mac versions from the same codebase, but no promises on that. AGS games on the Wii Shopping Channel or the iPhone App Store might be an interesting prospect for some.

[subspark]

You forgot Xbox Live Arcade 
I think its time that AGS moves off of it's mother system and onto a wider variety of platforms. We all want to make games, but not just for Windows. It doesn't make sense anymore.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Pumaman]

But seriously, it would take a lot of work to port AGS to something like the iPhone, and finding someone with the necessary skills and dedication to do so would not be easy. Looking at the existing Mac and Linux ports, they were relatively easy in comparison since they run on similar hardware to Windows -- and even there, it's hard to get them kept up to date.

[subspark]

"Oh if only that horse was still alive."
Seriously, isn't this a matter of time rather than difficulty? We MUST find someone dedicated enough to make time for this stuff, otherwise we will never see AGS mature in the way we all hope we live to see. With all due respect, I think Steve should step down and hand the Mac port to someone with a bit more time. His infrequent efforts are in vein it seems. AGS is a serious game development platform for indie developers and in turn should be taken seriously. I get the feeling AGS could be a LOT more if we move it to other platforms but this simply wont happen until someone steps up and puts in the hours.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Makeout Patrol]

"Oh if only that horse was still alive."
Seriously, isn't this a matter of time rather than difficulty? We MUST find someone dedicated enough to make time for this stuff, otherwise we will never see AGS mature in the way we all hope we live to see. With all due respect, I think Steve should step down and hand the Mac port to someone with a bit more time. His infrequent efforts are in vein it seems. AGS is a serious game development platform for indie developers and in turn should be taken seriously. I get the feeling AGS could be a LOT more if we move it to other platforms but this simply wont happen until someone steps up and puts in the hours.

Cheers,
Paul.

I don't mean to sound like a dick, but I don't see you volunteering.

Yes, we all want to see AGS ported to other systems. Most of my friends run macs without boot camp or any other way to run windows, so even some of my best friends won't be able to play the game I'm making. I would love for there to be a working mac port - but nobody has both the time and the expertise needed to do so. Standing around shouting about the "maturity of AGS" or "thinking forward about the future" or whatever doesn't mean anything if nobody can do it.

[subspark]

I don't mean to sound like a dick, but I don't see you volunteering.

That might have something to do with the fact I'm not a programmer.
In actual fact I am a Game Designer and Artist who wants to see my games on many platforms for a wider market. Isn't this reasonable?

Cheers,
Paul.

[Gilbert]

We MUST find someone dedicated enough to make time for this stuff, otherwise we will never see AGS mature in the way we all hope we live to see.

While I don't disagree that having more ports makes a  better world, I cannot agree with your statement, especially with that attitude. Why is it a must to do that?


Now, CJ, make me the Apple ][ port and everthing is settled. (Yes! It is an Apple! )

[subspark]

Theres no attitude my friend but just a desperate need to port my games to other systems.
Some of us are relying on this one day to make money you know. So while I am comfortable making do with what we have now, you can understand my particular concern about AGS future.
You said yourself you wanted to see AGS on other systems.

Again, no attitude, but concern for the future.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Khris]

That might have something to do with the fact I'm not a programmer.

And for the same reason you're requesting that port.
Or rather, if you were a programmer, you wouldn't be requesting that port.

People who buy into Apple's crap, err, machines have consciously chosen to pass on the opportunity to play a whole damn lot of really cool games. Why waste time by providing them with something they obviously don't want/appreciate anyway?

If you want cross-platform compatibility, switch the engine or *cough* code your own.

[subspark]

Well sure if we don't find anybody to port AGS then switching engines may be our best hope. But I don't have to like it .

[Makeout Patrol]

That might have something to do with the fact I'm not a programmer.

And for the same reason you're requesting that port.
Or rather, if you were a programmer, you wouldn't be requesting that port.

People who buy into Apple's crap, err, machines have consciously chosen to pass on the opportunity to play a whole damn lot of really cool games. Why waste time by providing them with something they obviously don't want/appreciate anyway?

If you want cross-platform compatibility, switch the engine or *cough* code your own.

Yeah, you're right, fuck five percent of computer users, I don't want those filthy unwashed unsophisticated plebians playing my games anyway

[SSH]

Perhaps if people who have actually made games with AGS and are actually selling them could tell us which other environments are most requested by customers, we could have an idea of cost/benefit ratios for alternate platforms.

As it is, most requests are just people who have been around for many years without making a proper game saying "ooh, ooh, an MSX port would be cool..."

[subspark]

Well actually I did my research and I wanted to get everybody's opinion on the iPhone. It might be a huge step up for AGS developers interested in the platform. Apple are only going to sell more iPhones. Lots more. Everybody's unjustified and biased Apple-Paranoia is rubbish. SSH is correct. We really need people with a history of AGS games to speak out. What target platforms would you like your games played on? Come on people...I'm just one guy here!

Edit:

Quantity of sales is not really the point. If you want volume of the platform

Actually its one of two valid points. One being sales for professional developers and two, as you said,  being the number of players willing to download and play our games. Both issues are of equal value actually.

Cheers,
Paul.

[SSH]

Quantity of sales is not really the point. If you want volume of the platform, then go for a Wii, PS3 or Xbox port. However, people who buy those machines may not be interested in a point-and-click adventure. Similarly, the IPhone demographic may be more interested in other types of game.

Also, I believe that the IPhone SDK T&C prohibits interpreters such as the AGS runtime engine. This is one reason why Flash is taking so long to arrive on the IPhone, and lets face it Adobe have a better5 platform to negociate with Apple than CJ does.

[Khris]

Plus, the iPhone's screen is 480x320, so in order to not have ugly squashed pixels, you can only play 320x2X0 games with borders. Now try to hit that small hotspot with that huge, flat index finger of yours