14 DAY TRIAL // Some developers (EA, SEGA) saw immense gaming potential in the iPhone, when Apple introduced the innovative device last year. They proved they were right in doing so, thus prompting more video game-making companies to hop aboard - but not id Software. The company's designer, John Carmack, took some time to explain why, in an interview with Forbes.
"We wanted to do something for the iPhone, but we just didn't have the scheduling or the resources available," Carmack said. "I really regret not having something at launch."
Forbes' Chris Morris notes that the co-founder of id Software is considered one of the creators of the first-person shooter genre, influencing hardware-makers to try and keep up, which makes it quite surprising that id never tapped the iPhone. But, while Carmack continues to build the engines behind id Software's popular games - the upcoming "Rage," "Wolfenstein" and "Doom 4" - the famous designer has, nevertheless, been keeping an eye on cellphones lately. And what platform would pose the most interest if not Apple's iPhone, which not only boasts immense gaming potential, but also sports a venue dedicated to distributing apps on the go.
"We have a title we want to develop exclusively for iPhone," the renowned designer revealed. "I'm not announcing anything specifically, but it would be a graphical tour de force."
Better late than never, right?
Anna Kang, president of id Mobile added that id's new iPhone title "'would not be a new IP,' meaning the game would have roots in id's existing catalog, which includes the "Doom, "Quake" and "Wolfenstein" franchises," according to Forbes.
But id Software's Carmack sees more than just a hefty touchscreen and accelerometer inside the iPhone. The App Store, as well as the device itself, supports big games - 10 MB or more. Bigger size means a better-looking game, but also more gameplay features, characters, levels etc. "That makes the iPhone look like a big open field. The hard part, Carmack concedes, will be reigning himself in," Forbes reveals.
It will be interesting to see what kind of iPhone game id Software is talking about. In the meanwhile, gamers and fans of id's titles can suggest possible game ideas in the comments (based on the iPhone's capabilities, but also on id's background).