The iPhone gaming market has been consistently growing as a threat to the big three (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft). Over 50 million iPhone games have been downloaded from the app store. In terms of revenue, games for the iPhone take in a much higher revenue due to the independence from publisher and cartridge manufacturing costs. A representative for Nintendo has stated that the company has always viewed itself as competing against Apple, “whether you play games on your DS or listen to music on your iPod, we are competing for your time”. Sony on the other hand, does not view itself at odds with the iPhone because they believe that people play games on the iPhone as a time waster where as the PSP provides a dedicated and quality gaming experience. With the iPhone now the highest selling phone, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. The game market may yet change with the addition of this popular and powerful new platform.
-Derek
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