PocketGamer.biz's Week That Was: Games journalism in the dock, Windows 8 rolls out with gusto, and iPad mini a big hit with devs
The past 7 days in bite-sized portions
For those of us that spend our working life tapping away on our keyboards on sites such as Pocket Gamer and leagues of others, the last couple of weeks have been rather difficult.
Without getting into the specifics, the question of industry ethics – from how games journalists interact with developers, publishers and PR, and the coverage of the games from all such parties – has been high on the agenda, and has resulted in writers and editors alike taking a long hard look at their practices.
It's an issue that a lot of readers may have an opinion on, too.
For those who want to sample PocketGamer.biz's view on all the issues that have arisen of late, check out our take on why the whole affair risks giving games journalism a severe punch in the gut.
Feel free to use said article's comments section to give your own thoughts, either using your Facebook or Twitter account.
If the ins and outs of mobile development is your prime concern, however, then the last week on PocketGamer.biz played host to plenty of that, too:
Big launches:- The PocketGamer.biz Mobile Gaming Mavens discussed Apple's big iPad mini and 4th generation iPad reveal, by and large concluding that Apple still leads the way in the tablet space.
- Apple's closest rival in the space, Google, unveiled its own revised Nexus line-up, including a 10-inch tablet and Nexus 4 smartphone, manufactured by LG.
- In amongst all such shenanigans, Microsoft had what is arguably its biggest product launch in many a year, with both Windows 8 and Surface hitting the shelves – the former racing to 4 million upgrades in just three days.
- Meanwhile, Microsoft also took time out to lift the lid on Windows Phone 8 – the first handsets running the OS hitting the shops as we speak.
- They're launching with a more than healthy app store behind them, too, with Gameloft immediately announced 12 games are bound for Microsoft's platform, with 10 also hitting Google's Nexus devices.
- Agawi's Peter Relan revealed to us why, despite OnLive's implosion and Gaikai's buyout by Sony, the game streaming race is still alive and kicking, with Windows 8 his current playground of choice.
- Beartrap Games co-founder Fin McGechie claimed Scotland is the ideal place to start a new studio.
- Pocket Gamer editor-in-chief Kristan Reed took to our pages to lay out why he thinks Nintendo's most recent financials mean it is make or break for the giant.
- Alex Fleetwood of Hide&Seek – part developer, part game design agency – explained the pitfalls of letting gamification lead game design.
- Our weekly US-based column saw 148Apps founder Jeff Scott spell out why real money gambling has little chance of taking off stateside any time soon.
- PocketGamer.biz editor Keith Andrew gave his view on the current 'crisis' amongst games journalists in the UK.
- EA's latest financials revealed its mobile division continues to outperform its efforts on Nintendo and Sony handhelds by some distance.
- In response, EA CEO John Riccitiello revealed digital games, not boxed ones, are the publisher's future.
- In a move that gripped the mainstream press, Disney acquired Lucasfilm of Star Wars fame, leading to questions about what Mickey and co. plan to do with the company's brands, and current tie ups with the likes of Angry Birds.
- A somewhat smaller deal was the acquisition of Dundee-based Digital Goldfish by New Zealand outfit Ninja Kiwi. We tracked the rise and rise of the studio.
- PocketGamer.biz attended the inaugural TIGA Awards in Bath, UK, and detailed the winners.
- Are you localising your game for different markets? Our latest infographic looked at the impact of speaking the same language as your audience.
- This week's look at the app charts – better known as The Charticle – compared the similarity of Google play and Amazon's Appstore for Android.
- In their latest column, the Pickford Bros. looked at the advantages of doing a Minecraft - launching a game early and cleaning it up as you go.
- PocketGamer.biz popped along to ExPlay 2012 in Bath, with scores of tips and tricks on offer from industry luminaries. Check out news editor James Nouch's coverage here.