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[Shahed]

I don't hate mobile gaming. I just don't think they are as engrossing and I enjoy them far less since i'm not remotely a fan of bite sized gaming. I enjoy narratives and a sense of adventure along with satisfying combat. Hard to get all that on a mobile (and on handhelds as well in my opinion). And when I find a good mobile game, I invariably end up getting annoyed at the business model.

I played Final Fantasy Record Keeper for a good month and a half. I really liked it at first but by the end i was sick of the Stamina system. I didn't like the way it either asked for my money regularly, or made me try and play at certain times like just before bed, as soon as I woke up and at other random times throughout he day. I would have gladly payed £40 up front to never have to deal with the Stamina again, but they want me to pay repeatedly over time and i was never gonna do that.

And if anything from what I've heard Record Keeper is pretty generous with it's stamina compared to most games. If that is truly the case, then I'm simply never going to play a game with Stamina ever again unless there's an option for a one time fee of say £40 at most to permantly unlock the game

 

[TouchMyBox]

I hate that mobile gaming tends to be the most cynical parts of the gaming industry concentrated into the vile shit imaginable.

Mobile game creators who are just trying to make a cool fun thing though are cool.

 

[whiteninja]

I like a lot of F2P games on pc but hate them on mobile.
I dont mind touch controls, I played some mobile games like Final Fantasy Dimensions and Baldurs Gate for hours.

I think for me it's just that a lot of mobile games are just bad or boring and uninteresting.
Maybe it's the "bite-sized" kind of design they tend to have.

 

[GustyGardens]

I don't hate it at all! It's the evolution of handheld gaming, but I think i needs some time before we start to see the big story-centric games on the platform. Right now, I use it for a quick gaming session when I'm on my lunch and don't feel like browsing GAF. I don't play anything too deep, mostly Puzzles & Dragons or Frozen Fever.

Sure, there are a lots of shovelware titles, but that happens when you have a platform that has the reach that mobile does, I mean, look at the Wii. Judging a game simply on the basis of it being on a phone, doesn't right.

At the moment, there are a few proper console developers that are trying to test the waters out, but they're doing a bad job on it by just porting games over with virtual controls. I think, however, when a developer takes the time to make a game with the platform in mind, then we can have a good experience.

During this learning stage, we're at a point where we don't have enough good examples of games to outweigh the junk that's on the platform, which is why I'm excited to see what Nintendo has in store.

 

[Hubbl3]

My reasons have already been hit by others but:

1) I don't care for digital downloads
2) I don't like games as a service vs games as a product (ie. Microtransactions)
3) Shitty controls

 

[glaringradio]

Only mobile game I ever properly got into was Defender Chronicles. Every game since then has held my attention for maybe a day at most. Wish it had never caught on.

 

[Rats Off To Ya]

There's nothing inherently wrong with mobile gaming. There's something deeply, profoundly wrong with the overwhelming majority of mobile games.

 

[sniperpon]

I've reviewed twenty two Android games on my site, and the only two out of those that even came close to satisfying my rubric for a "good" game were Majesty: Fantasy Kingdom Sim, and Beastie Bay. And even those were hardly classics; I'd never touch them again.

Some mobile games have involving gameplay. Some have decent soundtracks. I even like the art style in some of them. But I haven't yet found a game that really puts all of those pieces together.

People tell me "play Xcom", or "Bard's Tale", or "Knights of the Old Republic". When the best suggestions are ports of old PC games, that kind of tells the tale.

Recently I've been playing Arcanox, and it's pretty much mobile gaming for me in a nutshell; it's a small side salad, whereas what I'm looking for is a delicious steak dinner.

 

[Roto13]

People tell me "play Xcom", or "Bard's Tale", or "Knights of the Old Republic". When the best suggestions are ports of old PC games, that kind of tells the tale.

Don't even pretend that all or most of the mobile games that usually get recommended are ports of PC games.

 

[More_Badass]

I've reviewed twenty two Android games on my site, and the only two out of those that even came close to satisfying my rubric for a "good" game were Majesty: Fantasy Kingdom Sim, and Beastie Bay. And even those were hardly classics; I'd never touch them again.

Some mobile games have involving gameplay. Some have decent soundtracks. I even like the art style in some of them. But I haven't yet found a game that really puts all of those pieces together.

People tell me "play Xcom", or "Bard's Tale", or "Knights of the Old Republic". When the best suggestions are ports of old PC games, that kind of tells the tale.

Recently I've been playing Arcanox, and it's pretty much mobile gaming for me in a nutshell; it's a small side salad, whereas what I'm looking for is a delicious steak dinner.

What else have you reviewed? Have you checked out stuff like Autumn Dynasty, Starbase Orion, The Spatials, Wayward Souls, The Room, Sorcery/80 Days, Device 6, etc.?

 

[pswii60]

I don't hate it, but I have no interest in it. In fact I haven't downloaded a single game to my iPhone 6 and I've had it a few months now. Only games I ever played on my iPhone 5 were Stickman Golf. I used to play Snake on my Nokia though, but it had buttons.

 

[Sgt. Pinback]

I experimented with F2P mobile stuff. There really is a lot of bullshit.

World Of Tanks Blitz, though?

That's quality. I love it.

 

[Leafhopper]

I like a lot of F2P games on pc but hate them on mobile.
I dont mind touch controls, I played some mobile games like Final Fantasy Dimensions and Baldurs Gate for hours.

I think for me it's just that a lot of mobile games are just bad or boring and uninteresting.
Maybe it's the "bite-sized" kind of design they tend to have.

That's pretty much how I feel as well.

 

[Dreavus]

You should come by the monthly IOS threads, a lot of recommended games in the OPs and discussed in the threads

One of my new favourite threads. I've been looking for some new iOS games that play that aren't bogged down by microtransactions.

 

[Heebie Jeebies]

When I bought a new phone I downloaded some shiny new games, and for the most part I actually found them to be pretty decent gameplay wise. But good lord do they take advantage of limited battery life with their monetization tactics. Turned me off straight away and I uninstalled them 1 by 1 as I met this monetization barrier.

I know not all games are like that and there are some good games to be played, but trying to navigate around the Play store to find them is pretty difficult as you wade through all the kind of games alluded to above.

Now the only game I have on my phone is snooker.

 

[ktynn]

I dislike mobile gaming because it spawned a shitload of f2p / p2w games that are as consumer unfriendly as it can be. I also believe cellphones should be used for contacting people, not handheld gaming, ill use my 3ds for that.

 

[Gren]

I'm mostly indifferent to the software itself, but I just dislike the small screen-size and ergonomics of mobile devices.

Similarly, I have never been much of a fan of handheld gaming either, even when it plays host to games I probably would like.

 

[Nocturno999]

It has a lot of potential and some quality titles but most companies doesn't seem to care and just release cash-ins.

Cave Interactive showed me that tight touchscreen controls is possible.

 

[kewlbot]

controls aren't responsive enough and i dont think the games are very engaging enough either

plus i dont want to kill my phones battery power. i really need that thing for important messages and stuff

 

[UltimaWeapon]

It's a substantial battery drain on my phone.

 

[bobbytkc]

Phones are just incredibly uncomfortable to play on for me.

Maybe it is okay if you don't have anything else, but the difference between a controller and a touch screen is like heaven and hell.

A lot of the games are also very samey and too simplistic for me.

 

[Santiako]

They have their place.

 

[True Fire]

I think my main problem with mobile gaming is the lack of quality control. It's like Nintendo DS shovelware, but a thousand times worse.

Mobile games are really fun (I've probably dropped thousands of hours on Puzzle and Dragons), but I've also yet to play a mobile game that has surpassed console gaming in quality. Even the port of Final Fantasy VI, the best JRPG of all time, was ugly and mangled.

 

[Mexen]

I like mobile gaming

Spoiler

on dedicated gaming devices

 

[Lanrutcon]

Because they all follow the same formula, and the formula is absolute shit.

If the game has an energy system or multiple currencies (the one you have to pay for being the only one that means anything in the long run) then it can take a hike.

 

[morpix]

The controls are shit.

I think we're done here.

Seriously though, the free-to-play trickery has soured me from any mobile experience. I actively hate the manipulation used by some of these scumbags.

 

[Firelord Chargrilled]

I don't hate it but dislike most of games

 

[scoobidoo112]

Pay us money every time you play our game or have a shitty experience

My hatred for mobile gaming in a nutshell.

 

[DSix]

I would surely play if ~15$ complete games were the norm, and not F2P scheme. The manipulative aspect behind those games is why I stay clear of tablet gaming altogether.

Granted, mobile controls are bad for action games, but I could totally see myself playing RPGs on it.

 

[orochi91]

Battery life and controls are a big detractor.

Though I only ever play mobile if I'm waiting for something lol

I personally don't consider it a legitimate gaming platform, at least for myself.

 

[nkarafo]

Too much shovelware, cheapness and shitty pay2win mechanics.

Also, playing most mobile games reminds me of those free flash games i used to play on newgrounds 10 years ago... but with added microtransactions.

Also, the controls limit the genres you can play properly on the device. Mainly puzzle games, card games, point and click and strategy.

My hate for mobile games also earned me this fancy avatar message.

 

[Strike]

Hate is too strong of a word. I don't care for it.

 

[Inuhanyou]

I don't like smartphone gaming, although im not gonna hate if someone says they like it.

1. I dont play on phones and i dont even care about the "game on the go" concept.

2. I don't like how game design is so easily discarded on phone games because you dont need to have good design to get a billion people to play your game religiously and all of its clones.

3. I don't like how F2P and microtransactions are being strengthened by the mobile industry, by casuals outside the industry, so that actual core game devs inside the core industry learn how to nickle and dime even more anticonsumer

 

[old manatee]

Most mobile games are unplayable bullshit, but the best ones are good enough to rise above and justify the entire platform.

I don't know how someone could play 80 days or FTL on a tablet and come away thinking that mobile gaming isn't valid.

 

[Creaking]

Mobile game design is pretty much the opposite of medium advancement. Most games are just skinner boxes.

 

[jimmyd]

I have a crossword-type game (free from Amazon), and that's it. I've tried dozens of others but given up on them all eventually. Might go on the lookout for a decent version of Spider Solitaire but that's it. Touch controls + small screen + pay to win is not fun.

 

[Verger]

Here are some points.

Game Controls are bad. Talk about a fundamental downgrade from traditional game controls.

Games driven by Monetization

Games designed to be driven by Monetization

Games preying on habit-forming incentives to get the consumers to keep purchasing more

Games being designed by Analytics rather than actual game designers

Games fundamentally being designed around analytics and monetization rather than being fun first and foremost


I'll probably start repeating as I keep going

 

[Moon_frogger]

For every 1 good game there are 20-30 awful games that cater to whales with F2P microtransactions.

You could say this about steam with literally no difference.

 

[dinosaur_hunter2]

- Shitty controls
- No challenge at all
- Almost all games are shovelware or a copy of someone else's games
- Pay to win or "Annoy all your friends asking for them to send something to continue playing" modes
- Monetization schemes

EDIT: By mobile games I mean games made for smartphones, not portable consoles. I love my 3DS and Vita, the games on them are way different than those on smartphones.

 

[draetenth]

I'm indifferent, most games don't interest me and I don't really care for touch controls.

 

[Coflash]

You could say this about steam with literally no difference.

There are 20-30 awful games with micro-transactions per 1 good Steam game?

Really? You believe that? That is ridiculous.

 

[Servbot24]

When people say they hate mobile gaming, they general mean they hate the state that mainstream mobile gaming is in, or the effect it is having an industry at large.

There a lots of really good mobile games. Overall, however, the platform can be dangerous.

 

[Tuck]

Shit controls.
Uninspired games.
Unethical conduct.
F2P Pay to Win is contrary to everything games should be.

Most of the time, they aren't games so much as they are distractions.

That said, there are good mobile games. Jet Car Stunts, for example.

 

[Keasar]

Imagine if every PC game ever made was one store. Every flash game, every freeware game, every game jam entry, every indie and AAA game. Considering that one Ludum Dare has over 2000 entries, I think it's safe to say, in that scenario, the shit, shallow, and poorly made games would vastly outnumber the gems and quality games.

That's the App Store right now unfortunately. PC doesn't have that issue because it has stores that separate the wheat from the chaff. But when you have everything on one store, the good stuff gets buried much too easily by the bad

Which is the reason why I read sites like Pockettactics.com to hopefully find those gems amidst the vast sea of crap. The App Storefront on iOS sometimes puts one of those good games on the front but too often it seems to always be another Clash of Clans clone or whatever which is what most people get exposure to.

If they could get curators like Steam recently did who you could subscribe to, I think a lot of problems could be potentially solved.

Still doesn't change my overall view regarding the design of mobile titles in general. Too few works on a touch screen, and buying a bluetooth controller is still way too expensive (with often almost no support since there exists no unified controller design everyone has agreed on). Also that they have yet to make a game I really feel compete with handheld, since no developers are willing to put a higher budget on games for mobile considering the very volatile market.

 

[UCBooties]

My issues with mobile gaming fall into three broad categories:

1. I dislike F2P structure in games. No matter how much the core conceit of the game may interest me, before long it simply becomes too evident that the economy of the game is a bad deal. Where in the early days of mobile gaming one could expect to pay between $1 and $5 for a complete (if largely disposable) game, now that same dollar will only by you a refresh of a timer, or slightly better odds on whatever slot machine the game uses to dole out rewards.

2. I tend to dislike touch controls. There have, of course, been some games that benefited from touch control, but largely I prefer buttons. This may have more to do with the fact that I grew up with tactile controls and its something that I accept is going to be far less of an issue for younger gamers who have grown up using touch controls. I accept that this is a personal preference but it does make me leery of the medium.

3. For whatever reason, mobile games do not grab and hold my attention in the way that console, pc, or handheld games do. This may call back to my issues with touch controls but even games that are of a type that I enjoy do not exercise the same hold over my attention on mobile as on other platforms. This is true even in the case of games that I know I enjoy, such as the tablet port of Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic.

As a final note, I often find myself uninterested in mobile games because I need to use my phone and tablet primarily for purposes other than gaming and games drain my batteries like nobody's business. Until mobile batteries get a lot better or mobile gaming gets less resource hungry I can't see myself getting into mobile gaming in a big way.

 

[Glendemonium]

I don't hate them, just lack of interest.

Did get into Angry Birds a bit, other than that it's meh.

I wish I had the disposable income to get an iphone. Then at least I'd have some incentive to make purchases since they have a slightly better library than Android. At least Apple has some kind of quality control compared to the Google Play store.

 

[patrickthehedgehog]

The kind of games I typically enjoy (action, racing, platforming) have no suitable controls on a smart phone without a god awful, ugly, overpriced controller.

I also dislike the ads, sharing prompts and slot machine style risk/reward.

They're mostly garbage and I'd take a traditional game over them any day of the week.

 

[Game Guru]

I don't like playing games on portable devices, and even preferred playing Game Boy games on the Super Game Boy or the Game Boy Player. Even if I did, I would prefer a 3DS or a Vita. I have an Android Tablet and some mobile games, but I mainly use my Android Tablet to read digital books and digital comics and beyond an initial foray into mobile gaming, I haven't bought any game for mobile that I didn't also get for PC as well as part of a Humble Bundle. I have a cellphone now, but it is just a normal cellphone because I don't need any device to entertain myself while waiting for something, but I do need a cellphone like everyone else does nowadays. If I go on a long trip or away from a computer for an extended period of time... well, that's what the Android Tablet is for.

 

[JordanN]

When people say they hate mobile gaming, they general mean they hate the state that mainstream mobile gaming is in, or the effect it is having an industry at large.

There a lots of really good mobile games. Overall, however, the platform can be dangerous.

Yeah, I actually use to like mobile gaming.

It was around 2003 when there were still "flip phones". I had some games like Splinter Cell and this one Submarine game and thought they were fun. Coincidentally, these were games that still had buttons (the number pad).

If mobile kept going in that direction, I wouldn't have minded it replacing traditional handhelds.

 

[Bending_Unit_22]

The usual reasons already listed, terrible controls, games are mostly either shovelware or designed purely to gouge the whales, kills my phone's battery life unless it's plugged in but then why not play a game on a console or handheld, my fat finger covers much of the screen, etc.