Update: Incredible-Looking RPG Coming to iPhone (et al) from Epic

[Virgil]

Anyway, I question how smart this project really is. Not necessarilly beacuse of the control scheme, but beacuse I don't think Epic is going to be able to recuperate the costs of development by selling it for 10$.

By that logic, many of the digital-download games on PSN, Xbox Live, and Steam wouldn't be able to make a profit either. But they do, and many game studios make a living providing games at that level.

Most games released this way are much smaller than a full-fledged retail title, and because of their smaller screens and lower resolutions, the art doesn't need to be as detailed. Both of those things can serve to bring the cost of development way down.

It's not like the future and entirety of Epic is being devoted to an iPad game. For them, this is primarily to show off their iOS engine port to potential licensees. While I'm sure Epic is intimately involved with the project, the game is actually being developed by Shadow Complex developers Chair Entertainment.

Is that little gallery type thing a new feature? I've seen them on a few recent articles...

Yes, it's a new addition to our news system. It's actually still in testing, so only a few people are using it right now; Funk being one of them.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Anyway, I question how smart this project really is. Not necessarilly beacuse of the control scheme, but beacuse I don't think Epic is going to be able to recuperate the costs of development by selling it for 10$.

By that logic, many of the digital-download games on PSN, Xbox Live, and Steam wouldn't be able to make a profit either. But they do, and many game studios make a living providing games at that level.

Most games released this way are much smaller than a full-fledged retail title, and because of their smaller screens and lower resolutions, the art doesn't need to be as detailed. Both of those things can serve to bring the cost of development way down.

It's not like the future and entirety of Epic is being devoted to an iPad game. For them, this is primarily to show off their iOS engine port to potential licensees. While I'm sure Epic is intimately involved with the project, the game is actually being developed by Shadow Complex developers Chair Entertainment.

Is that little gallery type thing a new feature? I've seen them on a few recent articles...

Yes, it's a new addition to our news system. It's actually still in testing, so only a few people are using it right now; Funk being one of them.

I hope it gets some more widespread use, it's pretty awesome.

And does anyone know how much this game is going to cost?

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

When I invent my time machine, I'm going back to the 80s and this is coming with me. Just so I can show off.

Make sure to also bring a list of winning lottery numbers.

 

[Tharwen]

When I invent my time machine, I'm going back to the 80s and this is coming with me. Just so I can show off.

Make sure to also bring a list of winning lottery numbers.

Also:

NHS drug abuse information leaflets.

 

[mad825]

every time Apple does somthing like this, it most certainly question the point of these devices.

the Iphone is suppose to be a mobile phone with gimmickry tech/software, which it's main purpose is to "enhance" communication via means of voice,text and/or in-conjunction with the internet for simple people

the Ipad......is for.....public use? an cooler looking version of what HP had been doing..so that people can...be lazy? ermm, this is a tough one,it's main uses are only within the working environment where it will increase productivity and decrease resource cost ect.

anyway, this "game" (I'm being nice calling it a "game") just shows that Apple are still for the "flashy","simple" and gullible to feast on, I hate stereography but the 3DS if far more worth it than what Apple are offering.

 

[kintaris]

Um... 'drag and drop' attacks such as a boot to the face? Wow, its all the excitement of an action-RPG with the control system of your PC desktop!

How exactly are you going to move the character and slash at the same time?

I don't think Epic is going to be able to recuperate the costs of development by selling it for 10$ (which is the maximum price "allowed" on the iPhone app store).

Maybe this announcement is going to soften the blow of the next, much quieter announcement that the maximum price is going up?

 

[ANImaniac89]

still refuse to acknowledge the i pad/phone/pod as a true gaming devise

 

[daftnoize]

Really? I personally am a rather big fan of buttons. The only buttons ipad users push is their own egos bam. Jokes, I do hope its rubbish though love the renasance of indie developers at the mo, don't want ipod/ipad spoiling the market. Realisticly its not going to gain anything on the ipad which would be lost on psn xbla.

Begin antagonistic responses...

 

[John Funk]

"Also, for an iPod/iPhone/iPad game, it looks seriously fantastic. I certainly never thought I'd see graphics like that on a mobile game."

..that's because you don't know what ARM is, and don't care that intel scuttled Nvidia's first attempt at an embedded SOC design. At the same time, if the game is scaled for iPods up to the cortex chipsets - it actually could run on virtually any smartphone made since about 2001.

But yes - you actually do get updated on new tech just by looking at the Apple and MS press-releases. They tell you so, so why should you really need to know anything else. It's not like anyone that matter is going to call you out on it after all.

Lighten up, Francis. Obviously, someone who follows mobile phone gaming seriously is going to know more than someone who doesn't.

 

[linkzeldi]

I don't think an iphone would be comfortable to hold for the time it takes to beat an rpg.

 

[ark123]

This sounds like shit to anyone who actually played anything on an iPhone.
See, you have to hold the screen. You don't have a mouse to hover over items to get descriptions, or to target the big monster, and not the little one in front of it. And when you're done, you'd like the battery to not be on red.
Angry Birds and Plants vs zombies are good in it for all the reasons this can't be.

 

[Radelaide]

Wow, an iPhone game running of the unreal engine?
I'll check this out.

I get the feeling that it would make a brick of the iPhone quick smart.