Surely with the spectacular growth of Android and the eye-melting technology behind Infinity Blade already making it to the platform in question in the form of Dungeon Defenders, a port of the iPhone rail-sworder is on its merry way by now, right? Well, we could say yes, but if you wanted your news outlet to lie to your face you could just turn on Fox News, zing!
Now that the savvy political humor is out of the way, here’s Epic justifying its decision to hold off on an Android port. “If you took the underlying NGP hardware and shipped Android on it, you’d find far far less performance on Android. Let’s say you took an NGP phone and made four versions of it. Each one would give you a different amount of memory and performance based on the crap [the carriers] put on their phone,” is what Epic’s Tim Sweeney had to say on the subject. Cue dramatic conclusion: “Google needs to be a little more evil. They need to be far more controlling.” Now word on whether thunderclaps were heard in the distance during that sentence.
Technical Challenges of Porting to Android
The technical challenges of porting a high-performance game like Infinity Blade to Android are numerous. Unlike iOS, which operates on a limited number of devices with similar hardware configurations, Android runs on a vast array of devices with varying specifications. This fragmentation can lead to inconsistent performance and a subpar user experience. Developers must account for different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware capabilities, which can significantly increase development time and costs.
Moreover, the presence of carrier bloatware and custom skins on Android devices can further degrade performance. These additional layers of software can consume valuable system resources, leaving less available for demanding applications like Infinity Blade. This is a stark contrast to the relatively clean and optimized environment of iOS, where Apple maintains strict control over both hardware and software.
Market Considerations and Strategic Decisions
From a market perspective, the decision to hold off on an Android port may also be influenced by revenue considerations. Historically, iOS users have been more willing to spend money on apps and in-app purchases compared to their Android counterparts. This could make the iOS platform more attractive for developers looking to maximize their return on investment.
Additionally, the Android market is often plagued by higher rates of software piracy, which can further erode potential profits. Developers must weigh these factors when deciding whether to invest in porting their games to Android. While the platform’s large user base is enticing, the potential financial rewards may not justify the additional development challenges and risks.
Take a look at our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
In conclusion, while the growth of Android and the impressive technology behind games like Infinity Blade make the idea of an Android port appealing, the reality is far more complex. Technical challenges, market considerations, and strategic decisions all play a role in determining whether such a port is feasible and worthwhile. As Epic’s Tim Sweeney pointed out, a more controlled and optimized environment like iOS currently offers a more reliable platform for high-performance games. Until Android can address these issues, we may have to wait a bit longer for games like Infinity Blade to make their way to the platform.
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