Chirps: Minecraft and the iPad.

[strredwolf]

@TokoGT over on Twitter is wanting an iPad Minecraft client, and @Chakat_Deirdre popped in saying it wouldn't be like Minecraft on the PC/Mac/Linux.

Note that Minecraft is a Java-based "game" (more on the quotes later), thus why it can probably even run on FreeBSD and I bet on a Beagleboard.

Why do I bring it up?  Well, it got me thinking:

• For pure iPad/iPhone control, Epic and id Software have basically got the controls down pat, using a two-thumb control.  For selecting different tools, you'll need to imitate Popcap Games' Plants v. Zombies for iOS, which is perfect tap-only interface.
• Both iPhone 4 and iPad allow for keyboards, and there's the iCade for the iPad.  The Sony PS3 uses Bluetooth for their controllers, and there's cheap (aprox $20) controllers out there for it. Plenty of controls to use there!

Minecraft being different?  Yeah, because it has to be native code... which I think is a good thing for games as long as they're coded nicely. 

Comments

[aragontigerseye.livejournal.com]

Well, the main problem I'd see with adding a controller is that the standard bluetooth stack of iPhone and iPad is kinda limited.
While I don't know about PS3 controllers I know of Emulators that are able to use a WiiMote (and it's classic-controller), but that only works on Jailbroken devices due to the extended bluetooth stack needed.