Discussion about Microsoft Surface (and GG's plans for any other future devices)
by Conor O'Kane · in iTorque 2D · 06/18/2012 (8:15 pm) · 6 replies
So Microsoft have announced their Surface tablet: www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/gallery.aspx
Since this is running Windows it's an obvious fit for Torque (unlike the Android tablets which Torque doesn't easily port to). I believe there are already plans for the re-integration of iT2D with TGB, so it seems like the new product will be ideal for making Surface games.
I'd like to hear Garage Games' plan for this device. Well, to be blunt, I'd like to know if Garage Games are actually making any plans for future devices? The iPad 3 has been out for 3 months, and iT2D is still unable to build games for it. It was known for quite a while before release that it was likely to have a double resolution display, but as far as I can tell, no actions were taken to prepare for this.
We should be releasing games for the Surface on launch day. Day 1 apps are the ones that make millions, look at Chopper and Trism on the iPhone. Really basic games that sold millions of copies because they were available on launch. Torque needs to be working on Windows 8 (Intel and ARM versions) and ready for the Surface launch so that we aren't waiting months for the engine to be ready, while other developers on other engines are making the big money.
Since this is running Windows it's an obvious fit for Torque (unlike the Android tablets which Torque doesn't easily port to). I believe there are already plans for the re-integration of iT2D with TGB, so it seems like the new product will be ideal for making Surface games.
I'd like to hear Garage Games' plan for this device. Well, to be blunt, I'd like to know if Garage Games are actually making any plans for future devices? The iPad 3 has been out for 3 months, and iT2D is still unable to build games for it. It was known for quite a while before release that it was likely to have a double resolution display, but as far as I can tell, no actions were taken to prepare for this.
We should be releasing games for the Surface on launch day. Day 1 apps are the ones that make millions, look at Chopper and Trism on the iPhone. Really basic games that sold millions of copies because they were available on launch. Torque needs to be working on Windows 8 (Intel and ARM versions) and ready for the Surface launch so that we aren't waiting months for the engine to be ready, while other developers on other engines are making the big money.
About the author
www.cokane.com
#2
06/19/2012 (6:32 am)
I am very impressed by the Surface. I would certainly love to have support on day 1. It's just a matter of getting ahead of the ball. The main reason we haven't gone to Android is because we believe that the engine needs major improvements before considering another platform. There's no point in porting bad systems. MS did not specify a release date for the tablet, so it makes it a little difficult to change the roadmap. I'm sure it's going to come up in our next planning meeting. 
#3
06/19/2012 (6:50 am)
Will MS even allow C++-based engines on their tablets? 
#4
The non-Pro Surface runs WindowsRT which requires you to purchase software from their store, but there isn't a problem with it running C++ (Surface isn't Windows Phone 7).
06/19/2012 (8:36 am)
@Ronny: The Pro version runs full Windows8, so no problem there.The non-Pro Surface runs WindowsRT which requires you to purchase software from their store, but there isn't a problem with it running C++ (Surface isn't Windows Phone 7).
#5
06/19/2012 (8:58 am)
That makes it a little easier to ensure plain ordinary TGB works, then. 
#6
06/23/2012 (5:57 am)
In fact plain ordinary TGB SHOULD work just fine on Surface Pro, which despite marketing, is nothing other than a Windows 8 ultrabook. 
Torque Owner Scott Wilson-Billing
MeYuMe
I don't think GG have the resources to start supporting Surface.