In a recent Eurogamer interview, Blizzard’s Greg Street just takes the question of Blizzard developing for the iOS and runs with it. Unfortunately, he heads into pretty familiar territory. Yes, Blizzard would love to do something for iDevices, but they need to carefully consider the possibilities. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Blizzard interview without the question of WoW on consoles popping up as well.
The WoW thing is pretty cut and dry: PC only for the foreseeable future. It’s the iOS issue where Street has left a bit of wiggle room. “Everyone I know here has an iPhone or an iPad so we’re huge fans of the hardware,” he said. “If we could make the right game changes to make that work, it’s something we’d be interested in. It’s not something you’re going to see in the next week or two, but it’s the kind of thing we’re always looking at.” We admit that that Starcraft headline was a bit of a shot in the dark. But what else are they going to bring over, Diablo 3?
Blizzard’s History with Mobile Gaming
Blizzard has a rich history of developing games that have captivated audiences for decades. From the early days of Warcraft and Starcraft to the massive success of World of Warcraft, the company has consistently delivered high-quality gaming experiences. However, their foray into mobile gaming has been relatively limited. Hearthstone, Blizzard’s digital card game, is one of the few titles that has successfully made the transition to mobile platforms. The game has been well-received on iOS and Android, proving that Blizzard can indeed create compelling mobile experiences.
Despite this success, Blizzard has been cautious about diving deeper into the mobile market. The company is known for its meticulous approach to game development, often taking years to perfect a title before release. This cautious approach extends to their consideration of iOS and other mobile platforms. The challenge lies in adapting their complex, PC-centric games to the more simplified and touch-based interface of mobile devices.
Potential Challenges and Opportunities
One of the main challenges Blizzard faces in developing for iOS is ensuring that the gameplay experience remains true to their high standards. Mobile devices have limitations in terms of processing power, screen size, and control mechanisms. Adapting a game like World of Warcraft or Starcraft to these constraints is no small feat. The company would need to make significant changes to the game’s mechanics, user interface, and overall design to ensure a seamless experience on mobile devices.
However, the opportunities are equally significant. The mobile gaming market is enormous and continues to grow rapidly. By tapping into this market, Blizzard could reach a whole new audience and expand their player base. Games like Diablo Immortal, which is currently in development for mobile platforms, show that Blizzard is already exploring these opportunities. If successful, Diablo Immortal could pave the way for other Blizzard titles to make the jump to mobile.
Moreover, the rise of cloud gaming services like Google Stadia and NVIDIA GeForce Now offers another avenue for Blizzard to bring their games to mobile devices. These services allow players to stream high-quality games to their phones or tablets, bypassing the hardware limitations of mobile devices. Blizzard could leverage these technologies to offer their games on iOS without compromising on quality.
In conclusion, while Blizzard’s Greg Street has left the door open for potential iOS development, the company remains cautious and deliberate in its approach. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. As mobile gaming continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Blizzard navigates this landscape and what new experiences they bring to their fans.
Source Eurogamer
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