TV-Out could turn phones into consoles, says FinBlade boss

Mobile phones could be the new consoles, according to John Chasey, boss of UK mobile games developer FinBlade.

Before scoffing in disgust and smiting your N95 with your Xbox 360 controller, hear him out. Speaking at yesterday's Develop Mobile conference, Chasey was enthusiastic about more handsets getting TV-Out ports.

"With TV-Out on a mobile phone, connected to a TV, you do have effectively a console," he said. However, he stressed that while this might not appeal to Western gamers, it may be hugely important in developing countries where there isn't a huge base of consoles in people's homes.

"Mobile can get there before consoles and become the platform of choice for gaming," he said. "There are issues around what device, and the need for alternative input methods. But TV-Out is a very interesting step forward in terms of where it could take the mobile phone in future."

Chasey's views tie closely into the piece we wrote last week about using two Zeemote controllers and an N95 hooked up to a TV to have a pseudo-console experience.

Indeed, FinBlade made the tennis game we tested with that setup, so it's perhaps unsurprising that Chasey is clued in on the potential for this kind of thing.

However, he also said that if mobiles are to become consoles for some users, their control issues need sorting out. "We've still got crappy keys!" he said.

Talking phones up as consoles does make many 'hardcore' gamers snort here in the West, but it's not just Chasey proposing the idea. Qualcomm's Mike Yuen has regularly talked publicly about handsets with TV-Out ports becoming 'Good Enough Consoles' in the developing world.

Chasey was talking in the concluding Develop Mobile debate on the future for mobile games. For a full report, check out this story on PocketGamer.biz.