This is pretty interesting, especially for people developing mobile games:
http://ringbow.com
They are currently looking for funding to launch the product.
Will probably face a chicken and egg problem in that there's no games making it worth buying, and it's not worth making games for it because nobody has it.
Even if it gets popular, the vast majority of people who buy touchphone games, similar to those who buy PC games, are not really willing to spend money on gaming accessories. Of course the hardcore gamers will, but they make up only a small portion of the market and are savvy enough to find free or pirated game.
And it's not really good design to make an accessory mandatory to play a game; it would be like if you couldn't play Guitar Hero without buying the guitar. So far, good control has been the single most important feature in determining what makes a million dollar game.. look at Angry Birds, Where's My Water, Cut The Rope, Burn The Rope, Temple Run, Fruit Ninja, etc, etc.
On the other hand, people will buy some games simply because they bought an accessory and have nothing to play with it. Like how a lot of mediocre games with really good graphics sell well these days.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I'm confused, a d-pad with 9 directions?? How??
Up
Down
Left
Right
up-Right
Up-Left
Down-Left
Down-right
I make that 8 not 9. What is the other direction. I'm assuming its like the analog sticks on a PS3 pad, they can be pressed but that isn't a directional control is it?
If it's cheap enough to produce and sell, teaming up with a popular game studio to make a game for it that is free but requires the device may sell some units. There are always marketing strategies for new devices. It's just sad how many fail because they just don't market their device.
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