Apparently "gaming phones" are a thing now..

[gaijinkaiju]

Nubia Red Magic 3S Announced, Launches Worldwide in October 2019 - Niche Gamer

This is Niche Gamer Tech. In this column, we regularly cover tech and things related to the tech industry. Please leave feedback and let us know if there’s tech or a story you want us to cover! Nubia and their Red Magic flagship phone are relative newcomers to the USA and had a somewhat successful …

nichegamer.com

 

[Monoochrom]

But why though? I mean, I've long felt that Phones are underestimated as Gaming Devices entirely for reasons unrelated to the phones.

But all the other Issues that are still there? It's still just a singular Phone, no point in doing any extra programming work to optimize or streamline a Game for a singular Phone. Also, it doesn't make a while lot of sense to release anything on Phone Marketplaces that isn't created with fairly simplistic assets and Design sensibilities (mostly just getting the most out of a thing in the game). People have learnt at this point that Phone Games are to be free, at least up front. When they aren't that's going to be a huge barrier at this point. So, what exactly is the point of a "Gaming Phone"? How will it make the experience of the available games any better? What actually makes this something that should exist?

 

[Gauche]

Always hated when articles don't include the technical specifications of the hardware they're covering yet copy paste the promoted press release

 

[Battousai]

Now? Has everyone forgotten about the Nokia N-gage already? A gaming phone is not a new thing, but its proven to be not viable as a a gaming device since smartphones lack the processing power to run games properly along with every single other feature that phones already have these days. Its simply too much. Mobile games are fine, they are specifically made to be played on phones, they are simple in general and do not take too much space. However using a smartphone to run downgraded versions of current games seems counterproductive.

The other option for gaming on phones these days is streaming, and it works properly on some of the best phones on the current market since the stuff is relatively new. Basically you run the game from a console or PC and stream the game straight to the phone via wifi, and play it with a controller synced to the phone. One of those who offers this service is Valve with Steam Link have a look

Steam Link on Steam

Extend your Steam gaming experience to your mobile device, TV, VR headset or PC - all you need is a local network or internet connection. In addition, the Steam Link app now supports Remote Play Together. Now you can join games hosted on a friend’s PC just by clicking a link.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Ogoid]

Now? Has everyone forgotten about the Nokia N-gage already? A gaming phone is not a new thing, but its proven to be not viable as a a gaming device since smartphones lack the processing power to run games properly along with every single other feature that phones already have these days. Its simply too much. Mobile games are fine, they are specifically made to be played on phones, they are simple in general and do not take too much space. However using a smartphone to run downgraded versions of current games seems counterproductive.

My thoughts exactly.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but I don't think the whole "phones as gaming platforms" idea is any more sound now than it was back in 2003.

 

[Arnox]

I'll stop laughing when they actually get smart and put physical controls on the phone.

 

[gaijinkaiju]

I'll stop laughing when they actually get smart and put physical controls on the phone.

Already been done

Xperia Play - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Arnox]

Already been done

Xperia Play - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That thing is eight years old though. lol

 

[Battousai]

Already been done

Xperia Play - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

that legit looks like a PSP but with extra steps, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that thing didn't have the proper processing power for both phone and handheld console functionality. At least not proper enough.

 

[gaijinkaiju]

That thing is eight years old though. lol

You never said it had to be a new phone

that legit looks like a PSP but with extra steps

Nah that'd be the PSP Go, though both look identical

PlayStation Portable - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Arnox]

You never said it had to be a new phone

Seriously though. When that phone came around, the hardware was not good enough and the software support was not up to par either. But nowadays, the time to make a gaming phone with physical controls is perfect on both counts.

 

[Gauche]

I'll stop laughing when they actually get smart and put physical controls on the phone.

Spoiler: MOQI I7S (2018) $400

 

[gaijinkaiju]

Spoiler: MOQI I7S (2018) $400

I'm trying to convince myself that that's just an unreleased PS Vita model, but its not working.
Given that its about the same size as a vita, I can't imagine it being a fun experience to use as a phone

 

[Battousai]

Spoiler: MOQI I7S (2018) $400

Looks like a really nice portable console, but as a phone it seems a bit big and unwieldy. Texting might be fine on this but a phone call might be uncomfortable.

 

[Monoochrom]

Now? Has everyone forgotten about the Nokia N-gage already?

No, it was however Dead on Arrival, so why take something into consideration that never mattered to begin with and that was going for a entirely different market at the time. XD