The lights are on
In June, 2K Games released its first current-generation console game on a mobile platform. Launching at $20, XCOM: Enemy Unknown was widely hailed as a great translation of the 2012 strategy favorite. The success might have Take-Two leaning toward future, similar adaptations.
On today's Take-Two first quarter 2014 earnings call, CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that XCOM proves that gamers are "willing to pay a premium price for a premium experience." He also indicated that the company will be looking at how else it can bring AAA experiences to mobile platforms.
Our TakeThe strategy genre, and XCOM in particular, is a good fit for methodical gameplay. There's no need for virtual thumbsticks or buttons, and the type of gameplay XCOM offers is perfect for touchscreen displays. I can't imagine playing WWE 2K14, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, or Max Payne on a touchscreen. The input format isn't nearly responsive enough, largely due to the absence of tactile response. XCOM was a success, but hopefully this doesn't herald a haphazard rush into mobile for Take-Two.
Email the author Mike Futter, or follow on Google+, Twitter, and Game Informer.
It's good on mobile, but the best experience is still to be had on other devices: I find it tends to crash after a while, makes your phone over heat and really hogs the battery (but that doesn't surprise anyone)
I believe everyone is willing to pay for a good game on mobile, i dont really like any mobile games.... but i know that Xcom EU is really good.
I would have paid the same premium price for a Vita version, and I am sure that others would have as well. Shame that I don't have the option.
***...
It's success is mostly due to the excellent transition to touch controls in my opinion.
I was very disappointed at how poorly optimised this port was. On my iPad Mini - which the app store release tells me is a compatible device - I experienced very poor framerate and regular out-of-memory crashes. And that was with a minimum of the shaders and particle FX you see on the PC version.
If anything, buying XCOM on iOS has taught me to avoid premium priced ports.
ios 7 has controller support so it could work.
Great. Now every game they make will have to take mobile development into consideration during the game design process. Will this work on mobile? No, well scratch that off the list.
I am very happy to see this. I like seeing companies trying new business models and succeeding.
It also helps that this kind of game fits perfectly to tablet devices. If they try to put some fps game to tablet it will just fail and the gameplay itself wont feel good
This game made me moist, loved it! Going to add it to my replay list but going to play the Bureau first.
Great to see this succeed
I wish they would support this game with more dlc. Truly a great game