EA Mobile's Spore becomes first 3rd party iPhone game -- available September

Just in case you didn't catch the blip earlier between Steve's announcement of the iPhone SDK and the App Store, here's some fantastic news for the thumb-happy sect: Spore is coming to the iPhone. In fact, the EA Mobile title will go down as "the first 3rd party game on the iPhone." Sadly, it won't actually be available until September, but at least you've got a month to circle on your calender, right? Additionally, EA affirmed that there were "other games in early stages of development," and that it was "actively using the new iPhone SDK to develop games for the iPhone OS." Jump on past the break for the full release.

As anticipated, today Electronic Arts announced that:

- The first 3rd party game is SPORE for iPhone but we have other games in early stages of development

- The iPhone's touchscreen and tilt sensitivity is perfectly suited for SPORE and it will be available to play on iPhone in September

- We are actively using the new iPhone SDK to develop games for the iPhone OS

- As the leading publisher of mobile games world wide, we are thrilled to extend our relationship as a developer of games for various existing Apple products (Mac, iPod nano, video iPod) and now iPhone & iPod touch

Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello Quote: "The animation technology in the iPhone OS enables us to build awesome games," said John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts. "I think iPhone consumers are going to be blown away by the games we create for this platform."

[Shunnabunich Posted Mar 6th 2008 10:00PM]

I have a feeling it won't, because the DS and PSP are heavily pushed specifically as gaming platforms, and the iPhone has (or will have) so many other things going on. Frankly, though, I don't think it needs to compete on the level of those devices to be successful overall. Its unique capabilities as a game controller will surely spawn some very interesting and fun games, but who's to say there has to be an iPhone/iPod touch gaming market as crowded as the "big players"?

[njstone Posted Mar 7th 2008 12:31PM]

The iPhone doesn't need to be a portable gaming device in order to be successful, surely. But that is a HUGE market that is currently owned by only 2 companies. If the iPhone already has the capabilities...then it's not difficult to intentionally target a "version" of the iPhone at gamers.

As far as the developers...they'll develop for whoever can make them money. If the iPhone does to the mobile market what the iPod did to the consumer electronics market--you'll have a rediculous amount of 3rd party software.

And I just want to let game developers know that THERE IS A MARKET FOR HARD-CORE GAMES ON THE IPHONE!!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 5:31PM]

The cynic in me can't help but wonder if this is why SPORE spore has been delayed by EA for so bloody long...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 10:16PM]

ye those TWO developers working on this for two weeks is delaying the game development.......????

[simblor Posted Mar 6th 2008 6:08PM]

I dont know what we're yelling about?

[bowmessage Posted Mar 6th 2008 6:15PM]

I love... lamp...

I love... desk...

I love... SDK...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 6:56PM]

WTF! Let's talk about the freakin game people!

SPORE!

That's one of the games I've pre-ordered since last year, the Wii-Fit is the only other thing I have pre-ordered.

I think my time will definitely be consumed :]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 7:13PM]

Blah, make your oen game for the iPhone.
http://www.adventuremaker.com/

[Shunnabunich Posted Mar 6th 2008 10:11PM]

Actually, that makes me think of Unity, a Mac-based 3D game creation environment that currently builds games for OS X, Windows, and a browser plugin. I wonder if they'll be updating their product with support for making iPhone-based games? I certainly hope so...Unity already looks pretty promising to me, and it could conceivably be positioned as a great way to create iPhone games without having to spend time writing your own engine.

http://www.unity3d.com/

[Sic Tr4nsit Posted Mar 6th 2008 7:14PM]

I agree with most of the posts in here... This isnt TUAW, Its Engadget...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 9th 2008 5:13PM]

If apple's doing it on the iphone maybe they'll do it on their macs and try and get more into games

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 7th 2008 12:05AM]

Hey, does anybody know if this would be available on the Ipod Touch as well? I have no reason to think it wouldn't considering they are basically the same, specially with the new software updates... anyone know?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 9:54PM]

can it play Crysis?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 11:13PM]

if this was done in 2 weeks what the hell can we expect from spore when its finally finished in September??!! Or any other game for that matter! SDK is going to kick RIMS ass when its up n running!!

[bazookafx3 Posted Mar 6th 2008 11:53PM]

The thought of spore on my ipod gets me happy in my pants