Games on Android suck why?

[EvilComputer92]

So I'm debating between an Iphone 4 and a Droid X, and while using my friend's original Droid I've noticed in the Android market the quality of games is simply awful compared to the Iphone.

There doesn't seem to be any explanation for this. Both the 3GS and Droid have capable PowerVR SGX GPUs that are almost identical and TI OMAP. Especially given the openness of Android, I would expect games to be able to leverage the power of the hardware. The reality is that the best games on Android are simply emulators, and that good looking 3D games are a rarity.

I know many people will say phones aren't supposed to be used for games. However, whatever phone I get needs to be a replacement for my aging PSP as well. So capable mobile gaming is a major factor.

 

[Phobic9]

- Lack of multitouch support initially (fixed in Android 2.0)
- OS Fragmentation... most Android users are running 2.1 now though
- Multiple hardware configs. Different GPUs, CPUs, touchscreen only, hardware keyboards. Easier to develop on a platform that has virtually the same hardware (iPhone)
- Apps haven't been and won't be able to be stored on SD Card officially until Android 2.2 is available--which isn't on many phones outside of custom ROMs and the Nexus One. The 256MB limitation is a challenge for some devs, although it can be worked around.

Those are the main points I'd say. Add in the fact that devs are making a lot more money on iOS due all the iPhones/iPod Touches/iPads out there and well...yeah, Android is crap for gaming in comparison.

Google is trying to get a little serious about gaming (released NDK and hired new talent) but it's going to be an uphill battle. Gaming is the one of the main Android areas I'm not happy about.

 

[TheWart]

- Lack of multitouch support initially (fixed in Android 2.0)
- OS Fragmentation... most Android users are running 2.1 now though
- Multiple hardware configs. Different GPUs, CPUs, touchscreen only, hardware keyboards. Easier to develop on a platform that has virtually the same hardware (iPhone)
- Apps haven't been and won't be able to be stored on SD Card officially until Android 2.2 is available--which isn't on many phones outside of custom ROMs and the Nexus One

Those are the main points I'd say. Add in the fact that devs are making a lot more money on iOS due all the iPhones/iPod Touches/iPads out there and well...yeah, Android is crap for gaming in comparison.

Google is trying to get a little serious about gaming (released NDK and hired new talent) but it's going to be an uphill battle. Gaming is the one of the main Android areas I'm not happy about.

I think that is a biggie. Obviously the iOS devices 'lead' will shrink as more and more android devices hit the market, but this is how it stands now.

Also, I remember a few different mobile users surveys that came out in the last couple of months (with Android and Apple app-store metrics, etc) that pointed out iOS users were twice as likely to actually buy an app as opposed to only getting free apps. That is a pretty big deal for developers who are actually looking to make money, even if they are only producing a $.99 or $2.99 game.

 

[dougp]

There are games coming out - Gameloft has ported most of their big titles, and other developers are actually getting implementations.

The one part where Android has iOS beat is emulation though - I'll never run out of games now.

 

[MJinZ]

LOL. Gaming on a phone. Wish I had buttons.

 

[randomlinh]

iOS has a huge head start. So if it's important to you, then iPhone 4 is probably your best choice.

 

[s44]

The one part where Android has iOS beat is emulation though - I'll never run out of games now.

This. If you like Nintendo games, it's a no-brainer.

 

[Glitchny]

The one part where Android has iOS beat is emulation though - I'll never run out of games now.

yea having nes/snes/gameboy emulators is great, but there is a lack of native games.

 

[boomhower]

Fragmentation of hardware is just as much as a factor as fragmentation of the OS. Sure all the new snapdragon phones are fine but you older G1's, Hero's, Eris's, etc. are going to choke on new games.

Main thing is money though. With the install base iOS has that is where the money is. Android will continue to gain steam and developers will start doing more quality games on the platform.

 

[vshah]

fun games i have on my N1:

cestos
cubes(beta) (dev is a member here)
flight director
heavy gunner <great fgx
light racer 3d
nesoid for nes roms
pocket racing <simple gfx, but fun and smooth
shot 3 <fun puzzle game
robo defense <great tower defense game
skies of glory <great arcade combat sim, good gfx. can play multiplayer with other phones, even iphones
traffic rush <similar to the iphone game, not the same dev though

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

Sure all the new snapdragon phones are fine...

While I agree with the rest of your point I think this part is false. From everything I've read the Snapdragon has a pretty gimpy GPU which may not be capable of playing more "modern" games that are already on iOS, ie Archetype and its ilk.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I heard the Samsung Galaxy S's Hummingbird processor is supposed to have the best phone GPU ever. We'll have to see how well this translates to actual games on Android.

 

[Spoooon]

I heard the Samsung Galaxy S's Hummingbird processor is supposed to have the best phone GPU ever. We'll have to see how well this translates to actual games on Android.

The problem is that it may not, unless people start developing games with low res textures and whatever for less capable phones.

 

[exdeath]

Working on it, I'm new to the Android dev kit and my Java is a bit rusty, and I just got my first Andriod hardware last week. (I gave up trying to emulate 2.1 on my old laptop when I first downloaded the Dev kit 2 weeks before I got my X...)

Been doing studies of touch exclusive input methods and games, eg: N DS.

Most games I've seen on Android suck because they try to emulate standard controller via virtual buttons on screen and it flat out does not work for anything that isn't menu driven. I'm thinking more something like the Zelda games on the DS, where EVERYTHING is pretty much controlled by the stylus and touch screen and it's seamless to the user.

 

[shortylickens]

Why dont you just get a PSP and a Nokia 1100?

 

[exdeath]

Why dont you just get a PSP and a Nokia 1100?

Part of the fun from the development side at least, is working on a platform with limitations. It's like why ask why someone installed Linux on their wrist watch: because they can.

 

[exdeath]

I heard the Samsung Galaxy S's Hummingbird processor is supposed to have the best phone GPU ever. We'll have to see how well this translates to actual games on Android.

Problem with that is it's the ONLY device on the market with the PVR 540 if I recall. That means no developer is going to target for it.

Most high end games are going to be targeting 30 fps on Snapdragon/OMAP systems with 530 and weaker GPUs.

 

[GTSRguy]

The fact that Andriod apps are written in Java means they will run slower right off the bat on smartphones. Another reason is iPhone runs Open GL ES 2.0 (compared to 1.0 on andoriod) which allows for a wider array of graphical effects

Another possible reason, Andriod doesn't have app restrictions, they just let everything in, including apps that crash and dont function correctly. They try to make Apple look evil when they reject apps, actually, its the right thing to do, its pretty stupid to just let them all in (bots, viruses.)

 

[AstroManLuca]

The fact that Andriod apps are written in Java means they will run slower right off the bat on smartphones. Another reason is iPhone runs Open GL ES 2.0 (compared to 1.0 on andoriod) which allows for a wider array of graphical effects

Another possible reason, Andriod doesn't have app restrictions, they just let everything in, including apps that crash and dont function correctly. They try to make Apple look evil when they reject apps, actually, its the right thing to do, its pretty stupid to just let them all in (bots, viruses.)

But Apple also keeps out apps that they just don't like for whatever reason. With Android you can get home replacements and many different virtual keyboards. Can't get those with the iPhone because they mimic part of the iPhone's built-in functionality.

 

[zerocool84]

I think that is a biggie. Obviously the iOS devices 'lead' will shrink as more and more android devices hit the market, but this is how it stands now.

Also, I remember a few different mobile users surveys that came out in the last couple of months (with Android and Apple app-store metrics, etc) that pointed out iOS users were twice as likely to actually buy an app as opposed to only getting free apps. That is a pretty big deal for developers who are actually looking to make money, even if they are only producing a $.99 or $2.99 game.

this

 

[JD50]

The fact that Andriod apps are written in Java means they will run slower right off the bat on smartphones. Another reason is iPhone runs Open GL ES 2.0 (compared to 1.0 on andoriod) which allows for a wider array of graphical effects

Another possible reason, Andriod doesn't have app restrictions, they just let everything in, including apps that crash and dont function correctly. They try to make Apple look evil when they reject apps, actually, its the right thing to do, its pretty stupid to just let them all in (bots, viruses.)

The community takes care of that, as it should.

 

[JD50]

The one part where Android has iOS beat is emulation though - I'll never run out of games now.

I love playing my favorite snes games, but the on screen controls are kind of annoying.

 

[Spoooon]

I love playing my favorite snes games, but the on screen controls are kind of annoying.

Use the Wii controller.

Not practical, but fun when I'm on the couch and my wife is watching Lifetime or something on the television.