PC/Console games vs Handheld games

[busters]

Now before anyone starts jumping to conclusions and starting flame wars, hear me out.

The question: Why would developers make a handheld game as opposed to a console/PC game? Is there a place for "serious" handheld games anymore?

Video games have changed a lot over the past few years. There was a time when handheld consoles were legitimate platforms for making serious games. There were games like Pokemon, Phoenix Wright, Castlevania, MGS: PoOPS, countless RPGs, so on and so forth. People didn't mind playing long, immersive games on handheld platforms, even if they just sat at home the entire time.

But these past few years, with the rise of smartphones like iPhones and Androids, there've been an increasing number of casual games in the handheld market, and now they pretty much dominate the market. These days, you'd only see people play casual games on their handheld devices, like Angry Birds or Bejeweled. Handheld games have undoubtedly become something to simply pass the time and have some fun while on the go, rather than to deliver a full blown gaming experience. On top of that, smartphone games are only a few bucks, whereas handheld console games cost way more, alienating that market even more.

With consoles and PCs, they've gotten to the point where everyone has big HDTVs with surround sound systems and big comfy couches, and/or $1000 PC setups with giant monitors and gaming mice/keyboards/headphones. When someone wants to play a truly immersive game with great visuals and sound, they'd go home to their gaming setups and play some epic games.

So where does this leave "serious" handheld games? Why play a serious game on a tiny screen with tiny speakers, when you could play something on your giant HDTV with surround sound?

This is also a decision that game developers need to make. If you're going to make a serious game, are you going to make it for a handheld console, or on console/PC? What are the benefits of a handheld game over a console/PC game?

--

As for me, I'm not sure what to think. Maybe I'm completely wrong about this and handheld gaming is as healthy as ever. But personally, when I want to play a good game, I wouldn't look for a handheld game, I'd want a PC/console game. I haven't even bought a handheld since the original GBA. Also, there are some games on handhelds that I'd like to play, like Ghost Trick and Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. But I have to wonder: Why did the developers decide to put those games on handhelds in the first place? They're severely limiting the game's capabilities and even the consumer's experience by doing so.

For example, there's supposedly going to be a BioShock Infinite game on the PSVita. But why? Why make that type of a game, an immersive shooter, on a handheld? Well, I guess we don't know if it's a shooter or not, but still.

I understand that one advantage is that handheld games are less expensive to make, which allows developers to try something new and experimental. But couldn't developers do that with XBLA/PSN as small downloadable games, like indie games? Doing so would allow their low-budget games to be played on huge screens with surround sound, and even have it available to a much larger market.

What do you guys think?

 

[Epona]

The best handheld games IMO are ports of console games. Like Chrono Trigger DS, PS1 classics and even remakes like FF4 DS.

Those casual games you speak of on phones are really no competition compared to something like Crisis Core or Kingdom Hearts on the PSP. They simply don't target the same audience and some of those casual games can be played on your DS and PSP.

The biggest threat to handheld gaming right now is handhelds propped up by a gimmick. The 3DS is guilty of this as was the DS. It worked out well for the DS but it isn't working out now, the market has changed and people really don't care too much about 3D.

Playing games on the big HDTV is nice but being able to take the game with you is nice too.

I will say that all these cheap casual games will eventually lower the value of all games but at this point that isn't the greatest threat, gimmicks are.

 

[busters]

Those casual games you speak of on phones are really no competition compared to something like Crisis Core or Kingdom Hearts on the PSP. They simply don't target the same audience and some of those casual games can be played on your DS and PSP.

Playing games on the big HDTV is nice but being able to take the game with you is nice too.

Hmmm. Lemme ask you guys, do any of you still like to play big immersive games on the go?

I personally feel like that type of game is pretty much exclusive to home gaming now. I wouldn't play any game like that on the go; I'd just sit in my room and put on headphones. Although I can see where those games could be good, like on a long plane ride or something. It's such a situational thing though; developers would be much better off offering their game on a console/PC.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Handheld games have undoubtedly become something to simply pass the time and have some fun while on the go, rather than to deliver a full blown gaming experience.

And this is where I stop reading.

It is much easier to justify gaming in the interim between destinations, as opposed to having to actively set aside time to play. Gaming is as it has been, and if you can't get as fulfilling an experience from a smaller device then that's your problem.

 

[Arina Love]

Portable gaming is very big part of my life. phone games bore me to death so i seek more deep console like experience (lately been playing Phantasy Star Portable 2) in my work i spend LOT of time just sitting around waiting so if i don't chat with friends or do some stupid shit on lab computers i play my PSP. i choose psp because it have very long J-RPGs that can be played for hours and hours so good playtime\money i don't choose iso android games mainly because 1. controls suck 2. games are simple fun while sitting at restroom or on bus i just don't like them. i know a lot of people just like me who sped a lot of time gaming outside. i recently had a 12 hours flight and if i had only android and ios games i would have gone mad of boredom. PSP saved my ass taken 3 games with me The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky got me through flight like a charm and rest two got me through boring hours and HOURS of hotel time and i don't even finished them so again a lot bang for your buck well at lest for j-rpg lover like me!!

 

[busters]

Interesting, guess I was wrong... to a point. But honestly, I haven't seen many DSes or PSPs in ages; I can only recall seeing kids with handhelds consoles.

 

[veloper]

Interesting, guess I was wrong... to a point. But honestly, I haven't seen many DSes or PSPs in ages; I can only recall seeing kids with handhelds consoles.

I rarely take my PSP out of the house actually. There's also been a survey on it that most owners often just play their PSPs in and around the house, I'll see if I can still find it.
When I'm out, I'm usually doing something more important, like work, groceries, social calls, etc. There's rarely an opportunity outside.

Apart from portability, the biggest advantage of the handheld is that you can play in any position.
Sometimes you just don't want to sit in front of the TV, but for example lay back in your garden.

Biggest appeal in the games themselves is the retro feel. Still plenty 2D games on handhelds with pixel art, though that is changing fast.
Smart phones and Ipads finally don't even figure into the game; you cannot properly play with just a touchscreen. The app games are simplistic to make it work at all. Smart phones are a waste of graphical processing power.

 

[targren]

Handheld games have the advantage of lower expectations. You can still make a JRPG without stunningly rendered effeminate characters, turn-based combat instead of mini-tactical or action-style battle sequences, etc... They won't sell enough to the realistic-shades-of-brown crowd to justify the HD graphics budget, but they break even pretty easily on handhelds.

These days, I turn on my DS and Dingoo more often than my Wii or 360...