The Weekend Debate: Pocket Revolution?

It has given me more options. I can play the big, beautiful games on my PS3 and PSP and the short but very addictive games for a very cheap price on my phone. So more games, more to love.

Of course this debat couldn’t be here without Steve Jobs. RIP

Mobile gaming hasn’t effected my life at all really. I have an XperiaPLAY, and loads of games on it, but mobile games haven’t enough character or soul for me to continue on with them. I would always rather pay £10 on the store and get a fully fledged game on my PSP then pay 69p on something I’ll only play once then delete.

Mobile technology is great but portability of games has not changed my habits much at all. I still love playing games at home with my console on my TV as I used to when I was a kid; the consoles, games and TV is much better though. I do remember playing the original snake on my non colour screen mobile and loving it as much as I love the games on my current mobile, probably even more so. Also I remember when there were no mobiles, well when they were huge and had power packs like small suitcases, but I must admit it’s pretty good having the internet in my pocket so to speak, it does come in very handy.

My gaming habits are as of yet untouched by mobile gaming, because my phone simply does not support apps.
My personal life however, has changed a lot. Growing up during the rise of cellphones, it is hard for me to recall what life was like without them. For example, people are now scared to be alone at night without a cellphone, while this was perfectly normal a few years before that. It has become so ingrained into modern day society it’s hard to nót have one on you.

There is a downside to this though. In some novels, one of the greatest threats is that people can be located anytime, anywhere using a microchip. The thing is, people are carrying those chips now, voluntarily, in the form of a mobile phone. Your phone data can be combined with your internet habits in a way that hackers (or organisations) can always know who is doing what anywhere. It is a dangerous development, because the connectivity with the world cannot be easily given up anymore. In short: We are binding ourselves to a nearly publicly accessible identity. There are a lot of upsides, but never forget the downsides of mobile devices.

Well mobile gaming is a good those times you used to have to stop gaming to go to the toilet now you can take that experience and take it into a whole new environment also relieve yourself in more than one ways (Mainly being anger by shooting people) Portable gaming is a sweet sensation and it will never die. ROLE ON PS VITA

mobile gaming is a *God it was supposed to say :/

Mobile gaming is for nerds

Mobile technology is the work of the devil and because of it, I now have become less mobile, having to hide away in my house.

The extent to which advances in mobile technology has changed my gaming habits is currently quite minimal. I’d say that at least 95% or more of my gaming is done on a console hooked up to a TV. However saying that I’ve probably anticipated each gaming handheld more than their console counterparts. From the Gameboy eating my life away with Tetris, the Game Gear stunning me with colour graphics in the palm of your hand in the early 90s, to the PSP having near PS2 quality games, handhelds have amazed me but just lacked that full console experience.

Think that may change with the PS Vita. I’m eagerly anticipating that and with such advanced graphics and features (and trophies!) I can see it possibily replacing my PS3 as my platform of choice.

As for other mobile technology I’d say my phone would be the only stand out technology that’s enriched my personal life. Being able to stay in contact with the world while out and about is just something we take for granted now. I don’t think we could cope without it.

I suppose the only negative from the advancement of mobile technology is the ease of which you can cheat at Pub Quizzes! Not that I do of course…

Had a PSP, bought loads of games for it and ended up playing it mostly at home lol. I’ve bought a few Gameloft games for my android, but hardly play them. Can’t speak for everyone, but until the Vita is released mobile gaming has little interest for me. As bluscorp91 said, most of them have no character or soul, they feel flat and I get bored with them in half an hour. Controls are another reason. You can’t properly emulate dual sticks on a touchpad, and you definitely need the shoulder buttons. Mobile gaming has come a long way, but it still has a ways to go before I’ll spend any real length of time at it.

Its definitely allowed me to play more smaller games in smaller bites, angry birds etc. This does allow for a quick ‘game or two’ in between breaks or waiting for something. However it has led to the consequence that i haven’t picked up my psp in well over a year since i got my ipod touch (2 years ago).

It hasnt changed the amount i spend on the big screen ps3 as its just not the same amount of depth graphically or gameplay wise. I much prefer to have proper controls and joysticks, single player or multi.

As far as costs, well getting a game thats 69p you may think is a bargain but alot are not even worth that, however there is a fair few that are that price or just north which have shown their worth time and time again. Then there are games that are 100% free and dont require any in-app purchases to be able to play without lack of enjoyment, Tiny Tower springs to mind. Its definitely helped to save me money for games when i need a quick break rather than booting up the PS3.

Time wise though i would now use it in the mornings when waiting to catch the bus or before a lecture. Its useful to take a breather from work and use my ipod to help relax and take my mind off of it.

We have apps for everything! From football scores to health checks, we are never more than a button press away from information about absolutely anything (assuming you always have your phone/ipod/multimedia device with you). We can get so much information!!! Sony Ericsson AINO, a phone that connects to your ps3. Message mates for a game of fifa at a meeting? Sorted. Call of Duty after lunch? Sure. Wait, what’s this? My time trial on Gran Turismo has been beaten? Lets ‘take it to the track’. Even Call of Duty Elite and Battlelog for both Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 respectively are going to be giving us constant updates on stats and more. Oh no, my record killstreak has been trumped. Sorry dear, Duty Calls! (pun intended). Information at our fingertips. (RIP Steve Jobs

Mobile gaming isn’t something for me, the games just don’t have the same charm to them and I guess I am spoiled by the big screen. A tablet however is definitely more interesting and up my street. I feel touchscreen adds another dimension to gameplay and tablets are just the right size to do this.
There are some bad things though personally, instead of going out and meeting my friends to play footy or something like that, now you can just stay in one room and dare I say it, be antisocial.
However for me, the benefits are outnumbered and while I may say that gaming may not be the biggest influence mobile devices have had on me, they sure have helped me.

for me mobiles has gone a long way from the early ones big chunk ones bigger then your fist.

over time getting smaller & sleek but no Wap yet.

then wap internet started i was all over it.

then the big guns Ipod, lpad that the late steve jobs created from apple R.I.P.

to you Sony bring out the Ps-phone.

so yes mobile have gone a long way.

i wonder what the next gen of mobiles be.

I dont like those phones to be a gaming device its wrong for me. The phone is a phone and the portable like psp, ps vita its for gaming. I have the cheep Nokia phone 2003 model and im fine with this. If i wont gaming device thanks God i take a psp or vita for real games.
The iPhone and xperia play is good smart phones and mayde someday i buy on of them but only because is phones and its necessary to have a phone and only that

Although quite old (by mobile standards) my phone has a few games I play on occasion, solitaire, poker, scrabble etc. I mainly stick to my ps3 for gaming and my phone for communication. This is not likely to change for me until I upgrade to a ‘smart’ phone, after all my phone wasn’t designed as a games device unlike my ps3.

Not much, to be honest. For gaming especially.

This is mainly because the games you get are bite-size and not really ‘serious’. If I wanted to play a game I’d want to make sure I was in my room so that nobody would ‘accidentally’ bash into my good self while I was playing ‘Pocket Quest XIV’ at the train station. For mobile gaming to take off you would need to add a phone add-on to the Vita and then you would have mobile gaming.

Personal life? Mainly arranging things around and contacting people when I am planning to see them. I don’t think it has got to the stage where I am ‘txtin’ someone to put my lunch on or to clean my feet. And thank god for that!

Well since i got my ipod touch and android phone, its made school less boring. I can now play games like fifa with mates during class and i think its brilliant. Of course i can still play classic games like tetris and snake which are just as fun. Of course they are not as good as console games but mobile games are not supposed to be and are designed to be played on the go and quick. So from that i dont think they have changed my gaming habbits as i will not play them at home as i have my ps3.

Away from gaming however i think mobiles have affected my life as well as most people i know. They are so useful in so many ways like keeping up with mates or calling my parents to pick me up when im out. Newer technologies like touchscreens and wi fi also make them more attractive to use.

P.s. I used my ipod to comment on this!

How has it changed my gaming? I can play games without having to get out of bed or even sit up now, so that’s a good thing.

As for my life, as a mobile-phone-avoider so far, all it’s done is make my friends incapable of making and sticking to plans, ‘cos they assume they can change things at the last minute and always miraculously be able to contact everyone and inconvenience them. (Insert standard stand-up comedian set here.) But I think I’ll be picking up a 3G Vita, so maybe things will start to change for me then.

Modern touch screens annoy me though – by definition, in order to control a game you have to obscure part of the screen with your finger. For games with less-well-designed GUIs, that’s crippling because it means you have to constantly move your fingers over the screen and then back out of the way again – repetitive stress never had it so good. Give me some buttons any day.

mobile gaming hasn’t gotten too me, still too bad quality or too bad performance, and i don’t like that they are going too much into the touchscreen it’s ok too have a touchscreen, but come on touchscreen for games i think thats not good, i like the old days with actual buttons but the phones are ok with touchscreen but with games i don’t lik that. ps vita is amazing, i am getting the bundle with uncharted: golden abyss and 3G ps vita i can’t wait.

it has changed me soo that i want too play games with controllers and want phones too be with touchscreen but it’s all cool how it’s going right now.

Or an invisible finger…

Mobile gaming doesn’t really cut it for me I’d rather play an epic on the big screen rather than a watered down version on a handheld.
Since Sega are involved with this can you tell me if Guardian Heroes is coming to PSN apparently it comes out on the competition very soon but I’d rather buy it for my PS3

The downside to mobiles is the advent of ‘text-speak’ which I am only partly able to understand, for ages I thought ‘pmsl’ was something that affected women once a month!!

i loved the psp to bits and was dying to get one when they launched so i tried to import one first time round on ebay and got stung
when i finally got one i was completely blown away by the quality of the screen ect but i was a bit underwhelmed to be honest with the initial batch of games so it never did much at the star, however then the rpg’s started coming and that baby got abused, even now when im playing disgaea 4 on the ps3 im thinking how much better if i was playing it on a psp (or pref vita) so id say thats one way how its changed my life
i used to be a complete downer on mobile phone gaming as most games just seemed pointless to me for a bit and lacked that feeling that you get from a real full game.
but then i started to play some tower defense games on my phone and i found it quite an enjoyable experience as the games were perfectly suited to the touch screen interface .but that’s about as far as my enjoyment of mobile phone gaming ends, i just cant stand game’s that try to do touch screen game pads as you miss half the game and don’t get me started on so called driving games that drive themselves while you tilt the screen.

continued…

i am however looking forward to vita’s style of mobile gaming as it seems its just going to be an extension of what i do on my ps3 so jumping in and out of bouts of street fighter should seem perfectly natural just like it does at home and with both touch control’s as well as slandered it seems it should be the perfect package.

continued….

i am however looking forward to vita’s style of mobile gaming as it seems its just going to be an extension of what i do on my ps3 so jumping in and out of bouts of street fighter should seem perfectly natural just like it does at home and with both touch control’s as well as slandered it seems it should be the perfect package.

Well, it didn’t change my habits at all. I still play games at home, because it’s still better to chat with friends when we have a break during our lectures or to read a book/newspaper when on a bus or tram. Also, it’s more useful to have a working phone, than to drain it’s battery by constant playing.

Mobile devices, like the PSP or mobile phones, are simply another way to relax at home 9for me at least), as there are games exclusive to them and it would be a waste to miss them.

Mobile technology didn’t really change my live. I don’t own a smartphone or a mobile gaming device. I never could be really bothered by it. And I guess I have always been a bit ‘old school’. I even use a 2.1 speaker set on my computer that is like 10 years old. And that’s all a bit weird because I’m in IT and you would think we want the newest of the newest.

I have been tempted by the PSP before, but I am not sure I would need or use it. Mobile phone games are fine for killing a few minutes on the bus etc. and to be honest the Xperia play seems too undecided as to whether it is phone or hand-held console, so I will probably give most mobile games a miss. Sorry!

Mobile gaming has changed my habit exponentially, although at first I was adamant that I wouldn’t be drawn in but then I bought an Ipod touch
and yielded to the temptation of these cheap games. I’ve probably sunk hundreds of pounds on cheap games like angry birds although this is just talking about ipod games because i’ve always bought and enjoyed handheld consoles due to their convenience when out and about.

Mobile gaming has had a huge effect in my life, I remember the phones I used to have, they were just for calling people, phones these days can be anything, from diarys, books, maps, gaming devices…the possiblitys are endless…I think more often than not people are tapping away doing what ever on their phones…because theirs something for everyone…so I think it’s made a massive effect on a lot of peoples lifes..:)

I never used to enjoy mobile gaming until i got a psp. The graphics were amazing compared to old mobile phone games. It was so great that i ran the battery down a few times every week. If for some reason i couldn’t use my Ps3, i always had my psp. so it has changed my life in some way

Having a PSP I used to play in the hour commute to college most days for a couple of years, so it improved the journey immensely I think the way it’s finally headed with Vita though is that people will be able to play the same games whether they’re at home or anywhere else and there won’t be so much waiting to get home and play something, games like Ruin and Hideo Kojima’s games with his ‘transfarring’ system will be awesome, especially having PSN on the go fully at all times, having portable games at the same quality as home console games and having the interactivity and online functionality will be a huge step for gaming in general

up to now it didn’t change my gaming habits a lot, but it pretty sure will change with the vita… playing games for around 22 years now, c64, amiga, pc, Ps 1 & 2 & 3 but never owned a mobile gaming device, except my smartphone, as with short ways to university & work there was simply no need… gaming is also to relax for me, other people watch tv, I play.

but as it is live changes, girlfriend that live a bit more away, a job that gets me travelling more and so spending meanwhile at least 3-4 weeks of the year sitting most of the day in the back of a van.. thought about buying a psp lately and then decided to wait as mobney is short and rather save and get vita + ruin at launch

I guess one reason mobile gaming didn’t influence my life as well is, when I’m at home I wanna play on the big screen and not on a mobile device and when I play a good game I wanna continue and this option of some games for the vita sound more than great.. so ruin (and probably msot other games with this option) will be a save buy

continue

playing on the smart phone saved a bit for boredom on some rides in the van, but I don’t think you can really comapre playing games like angry birds to a good psp/ vita game… so overall it didn’t change my life yet, but will with the vita and new cirumstances

I now play games on the toilet……

mobile phone and games come on ps3 and pc ftw.

a phone is to call your wife to ask when dinners ready.

a real game you play after dinner! when shes washing the dishes!

In short it has made my life much much easier.

No more boring bus journeys to work thanks to PSP.
No more arguing with the missus over who gets the tv thanks to PSP.
No more shall my work breaks be filled with so much boredom i am forced to return to work early. Thanks PSP.

In closing Mobile Technology is a God Send.

Theres only one down side…

The wife can reach me ANY Time…..ANY where….

The mobile phone itself and other personal communication devices, i-pad, blackberry etc. have had an enormous impact on peoples lives and how they communicate with others. But mobile gaming has only ever been a symptom or add-on to these devices and stand alone hand-held games machines seen as childrens toys. Xperia play and others have attempted to bridge the gap, but with limited success.

Apps have made gaming more popular. Games such as angry birds and doodle jump got everyone playing games. If you have time check this real life angry bird video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVzW3OGq7kM

I got myself a fancy smartphone just one month ago.
Immediately I thought about all the cool apps I could, and did, download.

But lately I’ve found that they’re not really that useful.
It’s FUN to have, but it’s in no way critical that I can check my facebook on the go or see who’s online on PSN and so on.

If I can reach people and they can reach me via mobile phone, I’m satisfied.
So the only real, important, revolution with mobile devices in my eyes was about 10-13 years ago when I got my first one.

You never needed to feel tethered to a “landline” again after that.

Mobile gaming is just like a sandwich; it won’t fill you as much as a main meal but if it’s made just right, it’ll taste every bit(e?) as satisfying.

Mobile gaming has not made any earth-shattering changes to my life other than making me miss my stop on the train

I used to read on long journeys or at Starbucks while waiting for friends, then I got a DS and started playing instead (didn’t buy a PSP because I was broke) but the games weren’t as exciting and shiny as on my PS2 and PS3, so I got a little bored. Now I have a Kindle so I’m reading again, but PSVita will change that.

Could you ask this question after the lovely Vita is out? I expect I will have a rather different story to tell so long as the battery life is long enough!

PS: phones just do not comapare
PPS: can’t have a tablet in the UK outdoors because hoodies will steal it.

While mobile technoligies have expanded, you do get unique games which may not be possible on other devices, until a new device comes out mind… however these games are simply apps, and the incredibly low price justifies it as you wont be playing these games for too long unless they hit a sweet spot. When i’m bored a simple app doesnt fulfill my entertainment needs, I want a game, which is why i’ll play psp on the train or ps3 in my room, because most games, despite the graphical prowess, have good gameplay, expanded by the use of buttons which are just needed for games, end of. So no, apps havent changed my way!

Mobile technology advancements have not really changed my gaming habits I occasionally play games such as angry birds and the cut the rope mainly to pass the time. But you can’t beat having a physical controller in your hand with precise precision at your finger tips. For instance I recently downloaded battlefield on my phone and while the graphics are great for a mobile devises the controls are just rediculus on a touch screen and ruin the experience by constantly staring at the sky or floor.

But soon games on mobile devises will soon surely catch up if anything is taken from the dead space app. The graphics and story are incredible for a mobile game.

If I had to say how mobile gaming has changed my gaming habits is that I now look past ps3 games which may have received negative reviews about the graphics and focus more on the gameplay as many mobile games are incredibly addictive with sub par graphics. And without mobile games I don’t know how I would get though boring lessons?

I grew up with handhelds (circa game and watch era) so the PSP and most likely the PSV are simply a natural extension of my existing gaming addiction; albeit in higher def and more impressive games.

Games on my phone … I just cant abide and my phone will always be no more than a phone but I suppose this is because I see the PSP and my portable gaming machine and I crave that higher quality experience.

My PSP also serves as my mp3 player too.

Since I’ve always had some form of portable game. Grandstand’s Pacman, Mickey and Donnalds Tower Inferno, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong JR. Gameboy, Gameboys Colour and Advance, PSP, and with the Vita firmly on its way. I would say that my personal portable gaming has evolved for the better.

Oh and I even play Minesweeper on the kindle (hidden shortcut)

Honestly, not thàt much. I’m not the kind of guy to play on the road (that’s the only time I really read, so…). I use my handhelds at home to play games like Persona 3 portable and Lumines…

But, and I know it’s about the compitition, I ALWAYS cary my 3DS with me. Not to play, but because of the street pass thing. It’s a small feature, but it’s really cool to ‘meet’ people and exchange puzzle pieces, high scores and stuff. I’m really looking forward to the Near functions on Vita because of that. I hope it’s even better.

And talking about the Vita, as I’m not fond of expensive cell phones (need that cash for games) I hope the Vita will be my constant link to the web. So yeah, I’m allready saving up for the 3G model!

Mobile gaming means to me one more place my son can get his hands on what i’m playing! He loves my blue ps3 controller wherever it is in the house, and he can swipe open my iPhone. Mobile gaming to me, gives me that quick fix, when 4 Walls aren’t available, or the wife is watching tv.

Adding to comment (48) my son is 11 months old

Mobile technology has not really had any impact on my gaming habits.

I have always preferred games that i can get fully engrosed in on a big screen so you feel you are part of the game and not just looking in on it. So although I have played on portable consoles etc I never feel that they really satisfy the need that a full scale console or desktop can provide.

So whilst portable gaming can be fun, it just doesn’t have enough of a push to make me change my gaming habits. They are ok for travel etc but within my own home a portable never gets used whilst I have the other resources for a full gaming experience.