iQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs

iQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Developer, iPhone, App Store

The folks at FuzzyCube Software dropped us a note that their first game, iQuarterback, is in the App Store now, and it looks all right -- rather than actually quarterback a game, you mostly just try to hit passing targets. And while the game is pretty barebones right now (it's only 99 cents, and they're planning to add new modes to it in the next version), the most interesting thing about the game isn't what it is, but who's making it: the guys behind FuzzyCube are a few refugees from Ensemble Studios, the legendary developer of Age of Empires that got shut down by Microsoft on the eve of their recent Halo Wars release.

Now that's interesting -- a big time studio forced to close by their corporate overlords is finding new life in iPhone development (FuzzyCube isn't the only studio to come out of the Ensemble breakup -- Robot Entertainment, Bonfire Studios, and Windstorm Studios are all being started by ex-Ensemble employees right now, though FuzzyCube is the only group to have released a game so far). Lots of game developers are facing a crunch right now, and with the iPhone easy and cheap to develop for, we might see even more of these former larger game devs turn to the smaller screen.

TUAWiQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New iPod Shuffle: 72% Margin for Apple!?

As usual, iSupply  has dissected the component used in the new iPod Shuffle in order to evaluate its true manufacturing cost as well as Apple's margin. According to their evaluation, Apple could save 72% out of the current retail price. In details, the 4 GB memory chip will cost 6 USD, while the entire electronic part will be less than 6 USD. Once assembled, equipped with the earphones and properly packed, it should not cost more than 22 USD... So it is a rather substantial margin for Apple, even if you add the not evaluated shipping, localization, design and R&D costs. For sure such figures will give ammunition to the usual suspects prone to attack Apple for any piece of information. We indeed would have preferred to have a cheaper new iPod Shuffle if Apple's margin is so ... substantial...

Steve Jobs' new job: Digital Nomad In Chief
According to this morning's Wall Street Journal, Steve Jobs is working on digital nomad-oriented products, while himself living as a digital nomad -- a telecommuter if not an "extreme telecommuter." How will actually living the digital nomad lifestyle improve his vision for new products?

iQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Developer, iPhone, App Store

The folks at FuzzyCube Software dropped us a note that their first game, iQuarterback, is in the App Store now, and it looks all right -- rather than actually quarterback a game, you mostly just try to hit passing targets. And while the game is pretty barebones right now (it's only 99 cents, and they're planning to add new modes to it in the next version), the most interesting thing about the game isn't what it is, but who's making it: the guys behind FuzzyCube are a few refugees from Ensemble Studios, the legendary developer of Age of Empires that got shut down by Microsoft on the eve of their recent Halo Wars release.

Now that's interesting -- a big time studio forced to close by their corporate overlords is finding new life in iPhone development (FuzzyCube isn't the only studio to come out of the Ensemble breakup -- Robot Entertainment, Bonfire Studios, and Windstorm Studios are all being started by ex-Ensemble employees right now, though FuzzyCube is the only group to have released a game so far). Lots of game developers are facing a crunch right now, and with the iPhone easy and cheap to develop for, we might see even more of these former larger game devs turn to the smaller screen.

TUAWiQuarterback 1.1 from former Ensemble Studios devs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New iPod Shuffle: 72% Margin for Apple!?

As usual, iSupply  has dissected the component used in the new iPod Shuffle in order to evaluate its true manufacturing cost as well as Apple's margin. According to their evaluation, Apple could save 72% out of the current retail price. In details, the 4 GB memory chip will cost 6 USD, while the entire electronic part will be less than 6 USD. Once assembled, equipped with the earphones and properly packed, it should not cost more than 22 USD... So it is a rather substantial margin for Apple, even if you add the not evaluated shipping, localization, design and R&D costs. For sure such figures will give ammunition to the usual suspects prone to attack Apple for any piece of information. We indeed would have preferred to have a cheaper new iPod Shuffle if Apple's margin is so ... substantial...

Steve Jobs' new job: Digital Nomad In Chief
According to this morning's Wall Street Journal, Steve Jobs is working on digital nomad-oriented products, while himself living as a digital nomad -- a telecommuter if not an "extreme telecommuter." How will actually living the digital nomad lifestyle improve his vision for new products?