Gamer's Corner: Craving New Games?
by Matt Fox
September 2, 2009
Tired of playing all those old apps you downloaded last week? Looking for something exciting and new because there's only so many times you can play Flight Control or Tetris? You're not the only one. In fact, we all want more games. We want them so badly that games have practically taken over the entire App Store. Don't believe me? Fact time...
As of right now, there are 34 game applications in the Top 25 category of the App Store. That means well over half of the Top Paid applications in the App Store are just games alone. Currently the number one app... Geared. A game that came out only three weeks ago. Climbing up the charts is Alive 4-Ever, which was released only a few days ago.
I've started to notice a trend where the minute a new game is released, depending on if people know about it or not of course, it is instantly thrown into the Top 25. Whether it climbs to the top, or falls behind, depends on the quality of the game, but either way new games usually hit the Top 25 within a few days of their release.
We want more games. As fun as games are, what do you usually do after playing a new game? Maybe it stays in rotation for a few days/weeks, but then you close the app to never open it again. Or maybe you decide to play it one more time and get bored with it within a matter of minutes.
Because most games are casual, there isn't much reply value to a lot of them. Or maybe there is, but they're too easy or just not long enough to hold our attentions. So when that new game hits the app store, we all gobble it up in a matter a seconds. Not because it's good or bad, but because it's something new.
Now I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this. I mean out of the 105 apps I currently have, 57 of those are just games and I probably play maybe 4 or 5 of those games on a consistent basis. The rest I have literally never opened again after purchase, but just can't bring myself to delete them because one day I might want to play one of them while I'm out and about. Never going to happen, but I'm a pack rat for apps...what can I say?
I know that every time I see a new game in the app store I'm intrigued. I mean how can you not be? For one, where else can you go to find new games? We all know how flawed the app store is (for more on the issues plaguing the app store check out last week's column here...) so it's only natural to want to play something that is popular and easily accessible.
So how about the rest of you? Are you a junkie for new gaming material like me? Do you grab almost every new game that hits the Top 25 just because it's something new to play? Or am I alone in this and just a little game crazy? Either way, I'm completely addicted and want more, more, more...
App Pick of the Week
Seeing as how I've done nothing but talk about new games this entire column, I might as well recommend something that's new and a little under the radar. This week I'm going with a great casual game called Green Fingers.
The basic premise of this game is to grow flowers. Now I realize that might sound boring, but this is one of the most entertaining and addictive games I've played on my phone. Not only that, but it's easily my new favorite game of the month. Green Fingers is currently only $.99 in the app store. My review for the game should be up in a day or so. Here is a link to the app as well. (Green Fingers)