Can't get enough of Flight Control? Try directing some Trains!
It's always the case isn't it? Once your idea gets popular, there'll be a bunch of other people out there wanting to cash in on your success too. Zagg, a company that produces mobile electronics accessories is jumping into the mobile application market, and they're starting off by developing a Flight Control rip-off for the iPhone called Trains. The announcement comes from a press release from Zagg which doesn't hold back on the obvious influence for Trains either...
"'Trains' has an appeal that is similar to some of the most popular iPhone games currently on Apple's App Store. If you enjoy 'Flight Control' from Firemint, we think you will love 'Trains,'" said Cameron Gibbs, ZAGG's Director of Apps. "This is the first of the many great things to come from ZAGG's apps."
So how much of a clone is this Trains game anyway? The press release describes some of the gaming mechanisms that Flight Control fans will find all too familiar...
"Trains" combines the fun of operating a model train with the addictive challenge of a strategy game. Players control the tracks as a variety of colored trains speed through the yard. Intersections can be switched ahead of the trains to direct the cargo through the proper warehouses, and then safely off the screen. Proper switching drops off the cargo in the warehouses and rewards the player with points. But if any of the trains collide, the player's time as engineer is done and he has to start over.
I guess imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery, isn't it, Steve? :)
Traffic control...
Has no one heard of this game (Traffic Control) try google you'll find heaps... I thought this would have been the original? It's part of the industry, most of the original ideas are years old a simple twist can equal success.
thanks
I thought my knowledge of games was pretty good, but it looks like I'm very wrong here! Thanks for correction. I've never actually seen a game like this beforehand, and presumed it was an original idea. In any case, the fact that trains will be copying flight control still stands.
ZOMFG, everyone is getting
ZOMFG, everyone is getting rich making iPhone Apps, I better jump on this bandwagon with some lame rehashed idea before I ROFL in my pants or something!
Now repeat after me children, the 3-step formula is:
1) ZOMFG, I have to do this!
2) ?
3) Profit!
Train games on PC to do this have been around for more then a decade. Even Trainz, the little game that could, somewhat offers this type of capability.