Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
iPhone triggers videogame gold rush  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
 
 
 
World
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
iPhone triggers videogame gold rush
 
 
  
 
 AFP - Monday, November  8
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 iPhone triggers videogame gold rush
 
 
 
 
 
 
MONTREAL (AFP) - – The commercial tsunami unleashed by the iPhone has served as a launch pad for the videogame industry in Montreal, which hopes to seize on the success of Apple's smartphone.
 
Hundreds of participants in the two-day Montreal International Game Summit that opens Monday in Quebec's big city will be looking for ways to better milk the gaming market cow, in the face of Apple's golden example.
 
In barely a year and a half, the iPhone has seized 20 percent of the portable gaming market and five percent of the global videogame market, estimated at some 50 billion dollars a year.
 
In addition to standard cell phone functions, the iPhone has an embedded camera, a portable media player and full Internet capabilities. It also provides third-party applications through its App Store, including games, social networking and GPS navigation.
 
"The iPhone democratized access to games, made it easy and affordable for consumers," said Alex Thabet, CEO of interactive entertainment developer Ludia, a company based in Old Montreal.
 
"We're talking about some 300,000 applications today on the App Store. So it's an extremely competitive market that puts a lot of pressure on prices."
 
In the last quarter alone, Apple sold 14.1 million iPhones, up 91 percent from a year ago. And the California-based company has described its latest model, the iPhone 4, as its most successful product launch ever, with more than three million sold in the first three weeks after its debut.
 
With some 100 million iPhones and iPods, it's a huge market for videogames and in Montreal, seen as the videogaming capital of eastern North America, game creators are going all out to get an edge on this booming market.
 
Color, animation, likable characters, all weapons are on the table to seduce iPhone gamers.
 
"It's true that for iPhones, gaming is on a smaller scale. So you often have to exaggerate movements, making them more dynamic," said Gamerizon animator Huu Le Nguyen.
 
In the heart of Montreal, iPhone gaming is making the fortune of Gamerizon, a young startup company dedicating all the talents of its mostly 30-some game developers to Apple's smartphone.
 
The strategy has reaped rewards: over five million downloads and exceptional returns revolutionizing the sector.
 
"They are very short games and because you can create them quickly, with a three- to four-month maximum development cycle, allows smaller developers to compete against their bigger rivals," explained Gamerizon chief executive Alex Sakiz."
 
"This is what we learned six months ago and it's what we've been doing ever since."
 
The move plays right into the hands of Yann Lee, a compulsive 36-year-old gamer. He already has some 50 car racing and other games on his iPhone, and the number keeps rising week by week.
 
Apple takes a 30 percent commission for each game sold. It's a big margin but far from slowing game developers' digital gold rush, amid an seemingly limitless market.
 
"Often, when you're waiting for someone at a restaurant or you're waiting for a plane, you get a little bored. It's very practical when you have nothing to do, it's something to pass the time," said Lee.
 
"What's nice is that you can try them out and it's not expensive... a dollar for most apps. If you don't really like the game, you can always tell yourself it's just a dollar after all."
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Americans clean up as Lady Gaga scoops MTV awards AFP - Monday, November  8
 
Hollywood actors, studios reach new contract AFP - Monday, November  8
 
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Monday, November  8
 
Lady Gaga, other U.S. acts dominate MTV Europe Awards Reuters - Monday, November  8
 
'Megamind' gets mega bucks in debut weekend AFP - Monday, November  8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
Rescued Chilean miner shows 'yes you can' in NYC Marathon
Democracy icon Suu Kyi locked up for rare Myanmar vote
Germany's E.ON set for major reorganization: report
Pamela Anderson calls out Ultra-Orthodox men on fur hats
Violent protests in Germany against nuclear waste train
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
Pope sanctifies Sagrada Familia, rounds on abortion
 
World's oldest axe found in Australia
 
Fed not in the business of inflation: Bernanke
 
RBS bank plunges back into loss
 
Dell has not ruled out going private, CFO says
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Alcohol more harmful than heroin, crack cocaine: study
 
Toddler survives seven-floor fall in France
 
Spectacular unknown species found in Amazon
 
Ancient galaxy is more than 13 billion light years away
 
Moon's 'treasure chest' includes silver
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo!
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network 
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
    
  
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Monday,  8 November 2010 Violent protests in Germany against nuclear waste train  
Berlusconi resignation call ratchets up Italy tensions  
Swedish police hold man in possible race shootings
|  
Scientists turn skin into blood  
Pope sanctifies Sagrada Familia, rounds on abortion  
Newborn Dies After Being Placed Inside Washing Machine By Mom  
Pope attacks abortion, defends "love of a man and a woman"  
Cuba missed prisoner release deadline: dissidents
|  
Openly Gay Anglican Bishop Announces Retirement  
Appeals Panel Dismisses Death Row Inmate's Petition  
Hostage shot dead by Somali pirates
|  
Pope consecrates Barcelona's Sagrada Familia church  
Israel charges imam with incitement against Pope
|  
Gaza scrap gleaners risk life near tense border
|  
Western Sahara protest camp tests Morocco's nerve
|  
Analysis  
Thousands protest in Seoul before G20 summit  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
3D cartoon "Megamind" animates box office  
Ray Romano talks golf and being of a "Certain Age"  
Canadian poised to win poker championship  
Newborn Dies After Being Placed Inside Washing Machine By Mom  
South Korea Pays Pirates $9 Million For Release Of Supertanker  
30-Year-Old Taiwanese Woman Marries Herself  
3D cartoon Megamind animates box office
|  
Ray Romano talks golf and being of a Certain Age
|  
Netanyahu to press U.S. for military threat on Iran  
Top Russian reporter in serious condition after attack  
Myanmar army-backed parties set to sweep rare poll
|  
Gaza scrap gleaners risk life near tense border  
Republican victory in US election dooms 'net neutrality'  
Germany's E.ON set for major reorganization: report  
U.S. urges Iraq to form inclusive government
|  
Rescued Chilean miner shows 'yes you can' in NYC Marathon  
Israel charges imam with incitement against Pope  
Pope sanctifies Holy Family basilica as gays hold kiss-in  
Democracy icon Suu Kyi locked up for rare Myanmar vote  
North Korea's heir apparently rises again
|  
Iraq rivals 'agree to share power'  
Accused drug kingpin will go to Venezuela: Chavez
|  
Islamist boycott dents Jordan polls  
Pamela Anderson calls out Ultra-Orthodox men on fur hats  
Iran says nuclear talks could be held in Turkey  
Papandreou rules out early Greek election
|  
Iran says ready to hold nuclear talks in Turkey  
Israel set to present Lebanese border plan to U.N.  
Aliyev loyalists sweep the board in Azerbaijan vote
|  
Sudan accuses Darfur radio staff of working for ICC  
Indonesia under fire over military trial 'farce'  
Bodies of 5 Afghan police found in east  
Obama hails ties with 'world power' India  
Hollywood actors, studios reach new contract  
Muslim rebels deny hand in Philippine bombing  
China artist chastises West for valuing trade over rights  
US urges growing China to be 'responsible player'  
Australia to hold constitutional referendum on Aborigines  
US rejects Israel call for military threat against Iran  
Released S.Korea tanker heads for Oman port  
Resoration continues at Vatican Museums  
Americans clean up as Lady Gaga scoops MTV awards  
Obama to push cooperation to India parliament  
Hollywood actors, studios reach new contract  
Mangled arms, legs legacy of cluster bombs in Laos  
G20 urged to ensure rare earth supply  
Seoul shares edge up 0.2 pct buoyed by techs  
Kim's son is now North Korea's number two: analysts  
Urine for sale? South African city wants to buy  
Nordic chefs break the ice with local touch  
World Bank chief calls for gold to anchor forex  
PAKISTAN  
Lady Gaga, other U.S. acts dominate MTV Europe Awards  
'Megamind' gets mega bucks in debut weekend  
World Bank chief moots return to gold standard  
iPhone triggers videogame gold rush  
Japan's September forex sets record  
APEC ministers to agree on anti-protectionism: report  
NZ house price growth slips in October  
Qantas CEO: Oil leaks in 3 engines of its A380s  
APEC debates becoming body that can forge FTA  
Lady Gaga, other U.S. acts dominate MTV Europe Awards
|  
Car bombs target Iranians at Iraq's holy sites  
German police remove nuclear waste train protesters  
U.S. says Afghan handover in 2014 realistic
|  
Iraqi rivals in bid to end political deadlock  
Obama backs India's quest for U.N. permanent seat
|  
Pressure mounts on Kremlin to solve latest media attack  
U.S. says sanctions against Iran "having impact"  
German police try to free blocked nuclear waste train  
Karbala car bomb kills 10  
First group of Anglican bishops to convert to Rome
|  
US army mulls more charges over horrific Afghan killings  
Granny Arrested For Trying To Sell Infant Grandson  
Jailed U.S. student Amanda Knox to face trial for slander
|  
Time Warner Cable Increases Profits, Loses Subscribers  
U.S. urges Iraq to form inclusive government  
Israel's Lieberman denounces settlement boycott
|  
Vermont Nuclear Reactor Shuts Down Due To Leak  
Parts of Afghanistan under Kabul control next year: Clinton  
Vapor Rub Effective Cold Treatment  
NATO-Afghan operation kills 15 insurgents in south  
Yemen needs aid to fight al Qaeda: foreign minister
|  
Survey: Breast Cancer Survivors Prefer Silicone Implants  
15 Afghan insurgents killed in southern province  
Pentagon chiefs: Afghans can manage by 2014  
Philippines says Myanmar vote 'non-inclusive'  
Jamie Oliver brings obesity food fight Down Under  
Radical Yemeni cleric urges 'killing Americans'  
China unveils photos of moon  
Two plead guilty over nuclear smuggling in Georgia  
Queen sign to Universal in another blow to EMI  
AOL hires advisers for options as it eyes Yahoo: report
|  
Japan probes leaked China collision video  
Marilyn Manson: Antichrist indie star  
UK navy's website hacked: Ministry of Defence
|  
Rod Stewart rolls out the hits for Vegas stint  
Top US officer surprised at Marine chief's dissent  
Taiwan indicts three senior judges for graft  
Britain's queen wins 60,000 fans on Facebook debut
|  
MSNBC brings back suspended anchor Keith Olbermann  
Flights resume to Indonesia after volcano chaos  
Global minimum and maximum temperatures  
S.Korea court rules pro-North music breaches law  
Japan's Skymark to buy up to six Airbus A380s  
Top US, South Korea officials hold trade pact talks  
Blackouts trigger diesel shortage in China: state media  
First witnesses due in India's Satyam fraud trial  
Indonesia volcano causes more flight chaos  
End nears for blockbuster Harry Potter film series
|  
Lady Gaga, other U.S. acts dominate MTV Europe Awards
|  
MSNBC brings back suspended anchor Keith Olbermann
|  
Rod Stewart rolls out the hits for Vegas stint
|  
Queen sign to Universal in another blow to EMI
|  
Marilyn Manson: Antichrist indie star
|  
US-TECH Summary  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights