“Many long-time Mac game developers figured it was inevitable that Apple would one day add premium games to its iPod music player. But when that day finally came earlier this month, many of those same game developers were left wishing they could be a part of it,” Peter Cohen reports for Macworld.
“Of the nine games that made their debut with the iTunes Store, all but two were developed by software makers outside of Apple. However, none of the games came from the companies that Mac gamers usually expect to see on Apple hardware,” Cohen reports. “The result? Many game developers find themselves puzzled by Apple’s decision.”
Cohen reports, “One significant issue that’s hindering software developers’ efforts is the absence of an iPod Software Development Kit (SDK). No iPod SDK has been made available by Apple, and repeated requests from game developers have gone unanswered . Without it, developers don’t have any way of making software to run on the iPod. ‘No one can create anything for the iPod without access to an SDK,’ said one developer. ‘They don’t even have to release that if they don’t want to. I can see not wanting to open the floodgates to every [amateur]. But they have our number… let us sign an NDA and work on some things.'”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “LinuxGuy and Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]
Would be nice if Apple did this. It would add yet another huge dimension to the iPod’s already enormous eco-system.
No SDK = Apple wants to make money on games rather than allowing users to download free ones. Unexpected? Nope.
This seems like a dumb move on Apple’s part. Why not tap gamers as a whole new base of iPod users and, perhaps, even undercut Gameboy and the PSP.
The cellular company sell tons of overpriced games to be played on microscopic screens. Apple should make a play for this market.
I think Apple’s testing the waters with the 9 they just released. If they are well received, I’m guessing an SDK will follow.
They have a point. The more open Apple allows the platform to become, the more entreched it’s user base becomes.
Anyone can create a song or video that is playable on the iPod, why not games?!?!
When Apple releases the Tiger it will release a new set of developer tools. An SDK for the iPod could be part of the package.
Games have been available for what 9 days? Give Apple a bit of time to create an SDK.
I thoroughly agree with this sentiment. I don’t blame Apple for not releasing an SDK if they plan to make money off this, but I do think they should at least allow their loyal Mac friendly game developers in on the action.
Apple created a platform without having to let software developers in. They probably don’t feel the need to miss out on the cash.
If the rumors about the ‘true’ iPod video is to be believed, then Apple is wise to keep the SDK private. The 6G iPod should have touch screen interface and probably the SDK will reflect that. Releasing an SDK that will last half a generation is foolish and the developers will have wasted their time on developing games that will be outdated in several months.
A scroll wheel is a poor input device for many games. If Apple does plan a touch screen for the next iPod, the input device problem is solved and games can be more innovative.
No SDK = Apple wants to make money on games
…Or the damn SDK isn’t ready for prime time yet…
Perhaps the new Video iPod will require different software that releasing an SDK for the current iPods will be obsolete when the games come out and the games will not work on the new video iPod.
With these games, Apple just wanted to anticipate any feature that would eventually come with ZUNE. The final way to play games will be something compatible with iTV. The future SDK will be totally different from any SDK released by now. They have to wait, its not a finished product.
Daniel Eran discusses iPod games and DRM at Roughly Drafted:
Hacking iPod Games: How Apple’s DRM Works
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Home/728B5C4B-0A35-40BE-A2E7-E5464C68B80A.html
“If Apple opened up an iPod API for gaming, we’d no doubt see a a flurry of experimental game apps for the iPod. However, Apple would have to either sell or distribute those games through the iTS, or open up iTunes and the iPod to accept any outside content. That would break the whole iTunes security model.
Also, allowing the iPod to run unsigned code would eventually result in untested games crashing the iPod or requiring a hard restore. That would be a support issue for Apple.
As it stands, Apple probably doesn’t care about opening up the iPod as a development platform, since it would introduce more potential problems than it would solve.”
There’s a SDK out there, seven games were developed using it.
Apple could make some money if they set up a monopoly such that you can get a copy of the SDK if you agree to sell your resulting software for a set price – or range of prices – through iTMS, with Apple getting a cut. Or simply insist that you hand over $.99 for every such program you distribute.
I won’t be buying any. No ethical or moral principle involved, just no fun factor involved. I tried playing games on my 3G back when it was new. The games were not great, the controls would have made a great game just barely playable, and battery life suffered. Where’s the up-side? When Apple comes out with their vPod – the one with a touch-screen covering the entire side of the Pod, maybe they will include controls that don’t ruin what otherwise might be a briefly entertaining game.
How would games affect the click wheel on the iPod. Would it wear it out and could this become a nightmare for Apple tech support? Just asking.
save the games for computers or set top boxes. if you are that bored that you need games on your ipod you might as well shoot yourself now cause you have absolutely no imagination and no reading skills. and you will end up working for McDonald’s anyway in which case you wont be able to afford an ipod let alone the crack youre gonna smoke tonight. freaks! who cares about games on an ipod. sheesh the world truly is ending and fast.
?what?,
You’re an idiot. Just cause you don’t care about games, doesn’t mean others don’t Remember, Apple has been shipping games on the iPod for several years now. We are only talking about furthering what Apple started…
So what’s up with this Apple?
Apple is obviously playing hard-to-get. Leaving it closed for now lets Apple build up demand among developers. Didn’t Jobs say that any developer interested in making iPod games should contact Apple during the Special Event?
People just need to be patient. There’s no doubt Apple will allow 3rd party developers to make games, but it’s also clear they intend to be very picky about who they let in.
There is no iPod SDK because this is no true video iPod. Once there is an iPod with a large touch-sensitive screen, there will be more iPod games.
Any idea how may iPod games have been sold? I know that I have bought two, and I’m thinking that I may just buy the other four.
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Some game starved individuals play games on their cell phones and spend $5 to $10 each to download them. Personally, that kind of entertainment is very boring to me (fortunately my iPod also plays videos and I’ve got many to choose from).
I think it is brilliant that Apple has added “more serious” gaming to the iPod features mix. For a kid like my son, it IS the feaure that would draw him to an iPod.
As far as shutting out other developers, well it “sucks to be them”. When it makes good economic sense to let them in, Apple will. Until then it will be a nice clean little inhouse market for the iPod designer.
iPod SDK -> iPod malware