Netbooks: The Next Gaming Platform
 

Netbooks represent a huge opportunity for MUDs, casual games, web games, etc. The platform is very well suited to those types of games. I wrote an article about the topic:



If you notice, I managed to work a link and a mention for TopMudSites in the article. :)

I'd really like to see MUDs make an effort to really move into this area. They are so well suited to the netbook platform - low hardware specs, primarily keyboard based interface, casual style use, users tend to be more into typing/reading/writing.

This is definitely an opportunity for smaller, independent game developers to grab some market attention. At the end of 2009, there should be 50+ million netbook owners. That is a gigantic installed base of users with hardware best suited to low-tech, gameplay oriented games rather than technology pushing games like L4D, Crysis, etc.

Re: Netbooks: The Next Gaming Platform
 

The question is, what percentage of netbook owners use their book as a primary decide, or to casually game?

99% of the netbook owners where I am (a technology school with computer nerds literally crawling out of every crack and crevice) use their netbook for short-term or academic tasks. Or because they don't have an iPhone. On the other hand, almost all of these individuals ALSO have access to another, substantially more powerful, machine that they use for most other tasks.

Of course, my personal experience is PROBABLY not the norm; what I'm trying to get at is, while MUDs are wonderfully suited for netbooks, and netbooks are extremely common, are they generally used in such a way that we would stand to gain new blood in the MUD community?

Re: Netbooks: The Next Gaming Platform
 

Netbooks as the only machine - I recall reading a survey about this, and I think it was 20% of people use it as their only machine.

I suspect that in the 1st world, netbooks will be satelite devices around a main/powerful computer. In the 3d world, they'll be the only computer in the house.

My favorite recent quote, from reuters: "Global shipments of personal computer processors fell more than 11 percent in the fourth quarter but netbook sales are expected to more than double this year to about 35 million units, according to analysts."

Re: Netbooks: The Next Gaming Platform
 

Mike: I actually quote that reuters article in the article I wrote. I appreciate you sending it along via MUDDEV. :)

For the purposes of the gaming industry, you can assume netbook owners are using their netbook as an extra computer. Third world customers are not really a primary market for the gaming biz. :)

The question as to whether people would consider using a netbook for games is amusing, because the same exact question has been used for basically every other technology device. The answer is always "Yes!"

First it was desktops themselves, then laptops, then PDAs, then mobile phones, then blackberries, and now netbooks (with a few other devices in between). People always end up wanting to find ways to use their "work" device for having a little fun.

Re: Netbooks: The Next Gaming Platform
 

That might depend on whether you call China the 3rd world. China is one of the major consumers and producers of MMOs at the moment. I don't think India will be far behind.

A few days ago I saw an image of some kids, with their OLPC computers, sitting on the edge of an African airport... because the airport offered free wi-fi! Link:

PCs brought computers to every home in the first world. Netbooks (and smart phones) will bring computers into every home in the rest of the world.


I always thought it was the porn industry that was the first to latch onto new technologies... such as color printing, VHS/Beta, CD-Roms, Internet, etc. :-)

Personally, I think netbooks become a lot more usable for games when you can plug in some 3D headset glasses (and not get motion sickness). You can already get cheap 3D VR glasses for iPods, although I suspect their quality is low.