Warfare Inc for Palm...$30? Kevin Martin | Tech Manager
| Published 12/12/03
Graphic By: John Cordiano
Palm gaming is an art. Unlike console or even PC gaming where the player can sit for extended peroids, Palm users often only have a few minutes to play. Palm Games are more appropriate for short-term distractions. This kind of "just for 5 minutes" game play makes coding a comprehensive game difficult on the software developers. The perfect solution is to code a comprehensive game that not only allows the game to be saved at any point but offer an auto-save feature upon exiting.
æ
Spiffcode, Inc. wrote a very detailed adventure game. Warefare Inc. is
obviously the work of a dedicated team of programmers and graphics guri,
which has grown to become one of Palm's most popular games. All of this is
in part thanks to Handmark, one of the largest names in Palm computing who
is handling the actual publishing and distribution of the game. I was drawn
to play the game demo by the hype. Yes, even this crusty Geek notices when
there is a lot of hype around something.
Warefare Inc. is a beautiful game when played at hi-res on a hi-res device.
While miniturized, the graphics are pretty and intelligible; even
micro-details such as tiny rockets can be seen. A wide spectrum of available
weaponry for your military and the ability to lasso-select forces make the
game enjoyable, if a bit complex at first. Game play is fun and easy to
return to after game exits without out-right saving where you are. Yes,
Spiffcode keyed Warefare Inc. to auto-save exactly where you are so you can
resume later. The game plot is to mine lots, build armies and defeat your
enemies. Without giving much away, trust your instincts and nothing or no
one else.
æ
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the question I've been asked the most
about this game is "Is it worth $29.95?" Most of my gaming and PDA-using
friends point out that $29.95 will buy you some slightly older, very
detailed, comprehensive PC-based games. The largest concerns are that the
game, which is palm-sized (3mb), is played on a palm-sized screen, only has
14 missions, no networked play and no mission editing to allow your own
scenario. I must agree; these concerns are mostly valid. I've seen an
alarming trend in the Palm OS software world. Since the Palm V arrived,
sofware prices have been rising. One software program in particular which
I've used since the golden days of the Palm III now costs more than twice
its original price, without twice the functionality added.
æ
Is this game worth $29.95? No. However, it will buy you a download link to a
"full version" download of the game, along with an activation code that will
allow the game to play on any device with your Hotsync user ID. While keying
user-codes to Hotsync ID's reduces software piracy, the same $29.95 at any
game store buys you a tangible CD-ROM or DVD which has value on the
secondary market. After all, you play the game, defeat it and then sell it
at half price to a game store or to your friends. It's been that way longer
then most college students have been alive. Is this game worth $24.95? This
is where things get a bit fuzzy. If the game was on a card which could be
transfered to a new owner after the owner was finished, then it would be a
good deal. Electronic distribution and one-owner only user-codes make the
value questionable. If the price was $19.95, it would be a different story.
This game, even limited by electronic distribution and one-owner-only, is
definitely worth $19.95. æ
As always, your results may vary. Offer void where prohibited by law and
where the laws of physics don't apply. Happy Galaxite mining!
-- Kevin Martin is Whim's resident Geek. Just
recently he learned that his war against technology ignorance is going very
well.
By clicking on "Submit," you assert that you are who you represent to be and your
comments abide by section 20 of Radford's Student Handbook (for RU students), and by the Virginia State and Federal laws including but not limited to libel, copyright law, and invasion of privacy. The comments posted on this site are not necessarily representative of the views of Radford University, its
administration, faculty, staff or all of its students. For more information, read our policy on feedback fora.
Responses: Refresh frame to view latest entries.
Name: Scott Ludwig Comments:
Thanks for the article. Small correction: it ships wiith 20 missions, not 14.
