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iTunes to sell games for iPods
macrumorslive.com — Bejeweled, Cubis 2, Mahjong, Mini golf, pac man, tetris, texas holdem, vortex, and zuma for $4.99
Nikropht- 1583 diggs
- digg it
- jonnyeh, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15Too bad it's 5G only :( My nano would like more games.
- tidu, on 10/12/2007, -8/+19Let me get this straight. The New Nano, with 8GB, is $249. fair enough. I don't understand how the 30GB regular ipod is also $249...
- ccanni1028, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5It's a little tough to play games like these on a screen that small.
- Gir53457, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Zuma seems like the perfect game for an ipod.
- spiritamx79, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6@tidu
my guess is the technology in the nano costs more than a regular ipod since the regular ipod is just a hard drive, not solid state - Rodzirra, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4tidu: "Let me get this straight. The New Nano, with 8GB, is $249. fair enough. I don't understand how the 30GB regular ipod is also $249..."
It's all about demand. Consumers are telling Apple that they want the size and weight of a nano a lot more than the bigger iPod.
Demand sets the price, until demand wanes to the point that the price won't provide a profit to the producer. If that happens, the product leaves the market. - SilentSpyder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@tidu
They said the same about the mini and look how well it sold. I think people pay for the size and now, the colors. Personally I'm with you, I have the bigger ipod and my little brother who got a nano because it was smaller, now regrets it when he looks at mine. - zonk3r, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Hopefully they'll release an SDK for developers to make new games but I won't hold my breath...
- wvdavis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ tidu - for some (not me), it is not about value, it is not even the cost of the item. It is about having something that is cute, and holds twice as much as their old iPod. Then again, these are the same people that would buy a 8GB (for weekend trips) and the 30GB iPod.
- gonephishin, on 10/12/2007, -11/+18Finally! I am shocked it's taken them this long. Of course, with iPodLinux, you could've had this for five years. But I was never that brave. http://ipodlinux.org/Main_Page
- jguy584, on 10/12/2007, -4/+32Except you couldn't play games, or do anything else, while listening to a song. Hell you couldn't even browse your other songs without turning the music off. Oh an don't forget the inability to fast forward or rewind through songs. I love Linux as much as the next guy, but ipod Linux seems to be more just for show then practicality
- apocalizer, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4I looked at it and it seemed like a waste of time for me to put Linux on my iPod. At least with these iPod games (they cost money unfortunately) you can pass the time when you're bored and listen to music at the same time.
Metallica & Mini Golf FTW - meehawl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Rockbox for iPod is slimmer and, IMHO, more focussed on music. The install is less intrusive. And it plays Doom. And pacman. For free.
http://www.rockbox.org/ - seventoes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"They cost money"
Not for some people. Other people. Not Me. Stop looking at me. - tech42er, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Well, I've had iPL and it's worked fine for me on my nano. So has my full-size Linux, Ubuntu. So, I'd encourage you to tryit; it's nearly impossible to brick your nano or 5G (or 4G, 3G, 2G, 1G, mini..etc) Don't try it with the shuffle though ; )
- Nikropht, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10ya im hoping they will have a firmware update that will fix that.
- hecatomb, on 10/12/2007, -14/+5Evidently you can do a restore in iTunes and get the 1.2 update; I don't know if they've rolled out a newer updater yet or not... I'm still at work so I haven't had the chance...
-edit-
Background
It is important to understand the difference between "update" and "restore". Update simply installs the software that controls iPod and does not affect the songs and files stored on iPod's disk. Restore erases the iPod's disk and restores iPod to its original factory condition.
Warning: because Restore erases all of the songs and files on iPod, make sure to back up any files you've saved on the iPod disk. All of your songs, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, and games can be loaded back to your iPod provided that you have them stored in your iTunes Library. If you use the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, see this document for more information.
How to restore iPod
Ensure that you have an active Internet connection as new versions of iTunes and iPod Software may need to be downloaded to your computer.
Download and install iTunes 7.0 or later if you do not already have it installed.
Open iTunes, and then connect your iPod to your computer using the USB or FireWire cable that came with your iPod.
After a few moments, your iPod will appear in the Source pane in iTunes.
Select your iPod in the Source pane and you will see information about your iPod appear in the Summary tab of the main iTunes windows.
Click the Restore button. You will be prompted with one or more restore options that may prompt iTunes to automatically download of the latest iPod Software. The 4 possible restore options are:
Restore Option 1: Restore - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod.
Restore Option 2: Use Same Version - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod even though a newer version is available.
Restore Option 3: Use Newest Version - Restores with the latest iPod Software on your computer.
Restore Option 4: Restore and Update - Restores with the latest iPod Software on your computer.
If you are using a Mac, a message will appear prompting you to enter an administrator’s name and password.
A progress bar will appear on the computer screen indicating that the first stage of the restore process has started. When this stage is completed, iTunes will present one of two messages on screen with instructions specific to the iPod model you are restoring.
Restore Instruction 1: Disconnect iPod and connect it to iPod Power Adapter (typically applies to older iPod models).
Restore Instruction 2: Leave iPod connected to computer to complete restore (typically applies newer iPod models).
During the stage 2 of the restore process, the iPod will show an Apple logo as well as a progress bar at the bottom of the display. It is critical that the iPod remains connected to the computer or iPod Power adapter during this stage. Note: The progress bar may be difficult to see since the backlight on the iPod display may be off.
After stage 2 of the restore process is complete and the iPod is connected to the computer, the iTunes Setup Assistant window will appear asking you to name your iPod and choose your syncing preferences similar to when you connected your iPod for the first time.
- hecatomb, on 10/12/2007, -14/+5Evidently you can do a restore in iTunes and get the 1.2 update; I don't know if they've rolled out a newer updater yet or not... I'm still at work so I haven't had the chance...
- aquax, on 10/12/2007, -3/+16They mention 5G only. I wonder if that means today's iPod updates are not 6G iPods, but 5G (or maybe 5.5G?). Reminds me a lot of the 4G iPods' various updates, adding photo models, and the U2.
- Topher06, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4No, they are not 6G updates, they are 5G iPods with brighter screens and larger battery capacity.
Sigh collectively with me for another Apple boondoggle. - LegendarySock, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11I'm VERY disappointed they aren't releasing games for the ipod nano.
- rjcarr, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4The "G" is for the normal ipods only ... 5G refers to current ipods with video. You will know when there is a next generation. Each G has had very specific differences (works with iTMS, windows+mac, click-wheel, video, etc) ... battery updates and screeen brightening doesn't count, so we are still on 5G.
- pfranz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Does double res video count as enough for a next gen?
- Topher06, on 10/12/2007, -8/+4No, they are not 6G updates, they are 5G iPods with brighter screens and larger battery capacity.
- littlebiker, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5Pac-man would be my first buy, yours? http://www.tezaa.com/view/which_of_these_ipod_games_will_you_be_playing_in_your_new_ipod
I think the pricing is quite reasonable. Wow, I am game!- moebis, on 10/12/2007, -14/+4Texas Hold'em ....but too bad no online play.
- merreborn, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11I'd imagine Zuma should actually translate to iPod *very* well, since the iPod has a circular control interface, and zuma's only movement is circular.
- afex, on 10/12/2007, -9/+4"but too bad no online play."
actually i heard they had the online play working really well, however they kept breaking RJ45 heads trying to smash them into the headphone port... - eattoenails, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Tetris FTW!
- threemagic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Nethack
as soon as it's available!
- OctoberAttack, on 10/12/2007, -22/+7lol What crappy games, they'd have to pay me $4.99 to play them.
- ShrimpCrackers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Digg me down all you want but someone has to say it!
You'd think Apple, innovators would come up with some unique games, not these classics that are for all intents and purposes really boring by now, or will be after a few minutes of play. It should be free like they are on Linux or Windows. If they put like Contra or Metal Slug I'd be all over it, but Texas Holdem? Please. I expected far better than this especially from Apple.
- ShrimpCrackers, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Digg me down all you want but someone has to say it!
- samste, on 10/12/2007, -10/+28for ***** sake we already know
- Bokista, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16Eloquently put. It seems digg needs some sort of system to show diggers (not just submitters) that there are multiple of the same news story. The first gate is the submitters, who shouldn't be submitting dupes in the first place. But when that fails we end up with 10 stories on the same thing with 50 digs each, instead of one story with all the diggs.
- bluemist, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Perhaps a 'digg merge' feature is in order?
- samste, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1digg merge is a great idea
- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11Anyone having difficulty updating the firmware? I get an error 1417, probably because their server is maxed out.
I've bought Pac-Man, and am just waiting to test how faithful it is to the original.
Also, what's up with the pricing? It's 4.99 USD, which works out around 2.75GBP, yet in the UK iTMS - it's 4.99GBP.
I wonder why the UK customers are getting charged nearly double for the games. I also wonder why the UK store doesn't even have TV shows yet, nevermind movies.- g5604, on 10/12/2007, -9/+18how can you be surprised? its always like this, the rest of the world funds America's discount prices.
of course no one will see this comment in 5 mins. - r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Too true - the pound is stronger than the dollar - and yet we need to pay more?
I dugg your comment. - chongli, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6Many multinational companies base their prices around the cost of doing business in respective countries such as the UK. The higher UK price reflects the cost of doing business in the UK.
- g5604, on 10/12/2007, -9/+18how can you be surprised? its always like this, the rest of the world funds America's discount prices.
- hedcold, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2i updated my firmware through itunes 7 when it asked, and now it won't get passed the apple logo screen, and the harddrive just spins and spins.
i'm sad :( - inkninja, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10What's the word on indie development? :) What would it take to develop a game for the iPod and get it published on the iTunes Store?
- chadu, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1very good questions... i would imagine that unless you dev your game using cocoa, etc... you are going to have a very hard time making your development costs back on porting your code.
- zapada, on 10/12/2007, -23/+79 out of 15 articles on the Digg front page are Apple related. This is ***** ridiculous.
- weird0science, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2Just get iPod linux and rockbox...most of these games are on those for free anyway.
- fitzfan, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2Did the 30GB iPod get updated with the brighter screen and whatnot too? id assume so, but they only talked about the 80.
- Topher06, on 10/12/2007, -7/+8This is the one positive thing that came out of today's speech. Its isn't often that Apple improves the feature set of an existing piece of hardware.
If Apple would release a development kit for the iPod, then we will see this market really take off. Hopefully that will come out soon.
As for UK pricing, honestly, do we need to keep hearing about how expensive stuff is in the UK? If you don't like it, move, but its pretty much on par that UK pricing is way off the mark. Ask your Queen why she imposes excessive duty and taxes on stuff imported, even if its from iTunes?- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4"If you don't like it, move"
Yeah that's practical... You wouldn't be saying that if the roles were reversed.
The pound is stronger than the dollar, so theoretically - it should be cheaper over here.
The Queen is nothing more than a tourist attraction, and I'm certainly not loyal to her. (Scottish) although that's a different matter. - Midnightbrewer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The pound is stronger because they charge higher prices for everything, thus limiting inflation. You can't have a strong pound and discount prices at the same time, apparently.
- Kazrog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The UK's economy is a joke. Apple has to play by the same rules as anyone else who does business over there.
- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4"If you don't like it, move"
- u8myfoood, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2@r2builder
UK, basically paying the same amount theoritically, if comparing how the USD and GBP is made, and spent. While it may seem cheaper to you, it would cost more for one to buy the stuff in other countries and account in airfares and other expenses unless you buy in bulk.
like in china 1USD = about 8 Chinese Yuan, bout in China a Yuan can be used to buy about the same amount a USD can in the US.
so stop complaining about the CONVERTED COST!- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6airfares? It's a digital download man.
You ever heard something called the exchange rate?
- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6airfares? It's a digital download man.
- budyhead, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2yaaawn zzzzzzzzzzzz
- ReallyChili, on 10/12/2007, -26/+44.99 for these awful games?? WOW.
At least they're on par with what's available for Mac computers.- Eccohawk, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3People pay more than that for the games they buy on their phones these days. I think the pricing is just fine. Also, you're getting a much better screen size to play it on. Bonus.
- secleinteer, on 10/12/2007, -11/+3Too much Apple crap today!!!! Who cares about iTunes or new games that it offers?!! iTunes is a RAM hogging piece of crap that needs to die!!!
I've had Rockbox on my iPod for months, playing those games for FREE! - ReallyChili, on 10/12/2007, -26/+3yeah yeah digg me down you fanboys
- threemagic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I don't think it's just fanboys that are digging you down. I think of the digg down as an ***** detector as well.... so I used it on you. TWICE
- Blackfish, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1This looks just like the Xbox Live Arcade list of games for the 360. And you CAN play those online.
I'd like to see Nano vsn's as well. But I hope to upgrade to a 5g type soon anyways... - Timjacobs, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Poker is awsome!
- xshaisu, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Dupes FTW!!1!
- nfxmedia, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I just bought the Texas Hold Em game and love it. It's perfect for the long train rides. These aren't killer gaming machines, they are iPods.
- apocalizer, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1Huh. I didn't know iTunes 7 was out. They've also got movies too, sweet! Now I've gotta find a way to pay for 'em. (At least you can torrent the movies...)
- Grayfox777, on 10/12/2007, -8/+2You could get all those games on one disc for your PC for probably about $10...
- nfxmedia, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yeah, and they're crap. You pay for the mobility and not lugging a laptop around with these games.
- Qoogirl, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1It's a neat little feature and all, and I was bearing it until they said they want you to pay $4.99 for a game on the iPod. I'd do myself the bigger favor and just buy a Nintendo DS Lite with two screens and with better game play if I wanted to play games that badly. Sheesh.
I can't even fathom when I'd have time to play games or to want to play them, though, so maybe I'm bitter. A long playride? Maybe...- jharper, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2But if you already have an iPod (and not a DS), this is great feature....
- PSUViking, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The jump from $4.99 to about $200 for a Lite and one game is kinda significant don't you think?
- bbardlbradd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2That would be nice to allow these games to play on the computers too. It's not the funnest thing in the world, and we could get better for free, but still... I would play that tetris on my ibook all day if I had it...
I think I'm going to go look for a free tetris.- jeriqo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Free Tetris : http://www.simonhaertel.de/quinn
- Protoss, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I really like what they did to the iTunes GUI, it looks much better than previous iterations.
- sphinx13, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I love how ten of the current front page stories are about apple.
- podcastgalaxy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One note, the games are DRM'ed--you have to authorize them before playing them and if you move the game to another machine, you have to authorize again.
- QuadraQ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I bought one of the games but it won't let me transfer it to my 60 GB 5Gen iPod because "You are not authorized to use this game on this computer." What in the world!?! (Yes I downloaded and installed version 1.2 of the iPod system software.)
- rodrigo74, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Look in the iTunes menu and you'll find something about "Authorize this computer" somewhere.. I had the same problem (sorry that I can't be more precise, I am not in my computer at the moment)
BTW I bought Pac-Man, Zuma and Tetris and they work great :)
I also like the thing about showing the letter when I scroll quickly through my music.
I just couldn't find the Search feature, actually I am not sure it's available for 5G as the rest, does anyone know it? - QuadraQ, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0OK I explicitly authorized my computer, and then it worked. Weird.
- PSUViking, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Why is that weird? It seems to make quite a bit of sense.
- rodrigo74, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Look in the iTunes menu and you'll find something about "Authorize this computer" somewhere.. I had the same problem (sorry that I can't be more precise, I am not in my computer at the moment)
- QuadraQ, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I just bought Chicken Little as a test movie, and the video doesn't work! The audio is OK but the screen is all scrambled. Anyone else have this problem?
- nfxmedia, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Did you update your Quicktime? You also have to double click on the game to authorize it before transfering.
- samuel514, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1A lot of good news about iPod today :)
- trogdoor, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4http://digg.com/apple/Rumors:_Next_iPod_to_have_downloadable_games 576 days ago
Anyone else remember this, one of Kevin Roses first submissions, and it never came true, until now.- theBrink, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1it's not as if this development was hard to see coming (eventually) - there are already default games on the ipod...
- grow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Has anyone tried playing a game on the iPod yet? I purchased PAC MAN and tried to play it with no luck. I looked under the games tab under the new preferences on iTunes 7 and it told me I needed the latest software. However, under the main tab it told me it was up to date. Just curious as to if anyone has gotten around this?
- iMatt711, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1you need to completely restore your ipod apple doesnt have an update yet
- berad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2NO NEED TO COMPLETELY RESTORE!!!
I had the same problem, and found that when I selected "Check for Updates..." under the iTunes menu, it found the iPod updater as well. Downloaded Bejeweled and Poker and am VERY impressed.... this is EXACTLY the right strategy for games: keep them easily accessible and fun! - rodrigo74, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The poker game is really fun and addictive.
Pac-man is not responsive all the times thought..sometimes I experience some very short (10ths of a second) freezes which in a game like Pac-man makes a big problem...
- SPLASTiK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Would be interesting if when they step up to Wireless network transfer and whatnot of they made it so you could transfer from iPod to iPod wirelessly or play multiplayer games with a nearby iPod.
- kolop1, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2 Their is only so much gaming you can do with a scrool wheel.
- chris86wm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Waiting for the torrent to be released
- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Don't hold your breath, only recently have they cracked the DRM for the music. It could be months until they crack the DRM for the games (if they ever do)
- TheJosher, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Plus, QTFairUse6 isn't even really 'cracking' the DRM.. simply 'cracking' iTunes and dumping the raw audio. You obviously can't do that with games.
- chris86wm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1r2builder, true, very true.
- r2builder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1LOL - why was I being dugg down? I was saying something that was true.
I wasn't saying that it was a GOOD thing that the DRM was hard to crack, I meerly said that it was.
I wish the best of luck to our anti-DRM engineers.
- zeptobyte, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I just can't see myself getting more entertainment out of a $5 game than out of 5 new songs... Maybe $3 or so would have been a better price, but what do I know? I'm sure it'll be popular, I just don't think it's my sort of thing..
- Cleanlyness, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0bury dupe
- agraham208, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The 9-pack is a little pricy though. :-/
- ultraelite, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3I hope to be pirating these soon
- u8myfoood, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2ipods are for comformist!...
think about it, if apple rebadged the ipod and sold it as the uPod, no one would buy it!
besides i think running iPod linux and putting games in it is ALOT cheaper and easier to use- paulsmerdon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Your statement would be correct if people only bought the iPod because it is an Apple product. The reason people continue to buy the iPod versus other media players is that it really is the best device and service combination available. Yes, there are some interesting "Plays For Sure" players available but the compatible music files are all over the place, different prices, DRM restrictions and quality levels, etc.... With the rumors that Zune won't even support Plays for Sure DRM the Microsoft side of digital music is just a mess.
It can't really be about conforming if everything else is crap.
- paulsmerdon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Your statement would be correct if people only bought the iPod because it is an Apple product. The reason people continue to buy the iPod versus other media players is that it really is the best device and service combination available. Yes, there are some interesting "Plays For Sure" players available but the compatible music files are all over the place, different prices, DRM restrictions and quality levels, etc.... With the rumors that Zune won't even support Plays for Sure DRM the Microsoft side of digital music is just a mess.
- scrambled, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I bought Tetris for my 30 GB 5G iPod, but it won't transfer because I am "not authorized to play it on this computer". I have the new firmware installed... what's going on?
- Bootes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Go into games and double click the game icon, it'll ask for your password.
- flag564, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I have to hand it to Apple. They have shown their innovative side bty making it possible for people to play pacman and tetris on an Ipod.
I mean, what did this world manage to do before we had the ability to play these obsolete games on an mp3 player....
the ipod is now on par with a cell phone. Just without the abilty to actually make a call.- PSUViking, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think, perhaps, you are taking this announcement a bit too seriously.
- flag564, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Nah.
Ive been laughing all day at how thse guys have been spamming Digg with these stories trying in vain to make it seem that Apple has changed the course of history.
- TomS64, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2No discount for the 9 games bundle? WTF?
- drwatson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1No way am I paying for games, someone will figure out how to get em on there for free.
- bigrell486, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Woo! Xbox Live Arcade in My Pocket!
- hiyel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0no cracks yet?
- your_mom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3So THIS is waht apple wanted with C and C++ coders for. my guess was right awesome.
- au071, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Not sure I want to use the ipod for gaming, although it looks pretty cool.
Waiting for Amazon to start selling the new ipod. -
Show 51 - 56 of 56 discussions
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