Although the iPod and iPhone are versatile gaming platforms, gamers have been skeptical for a number of reasons. No buttons, to start, and no room for serious assets (though recent games have really been pushing the limits). That doesn’t appear to be stopping Apple from pushing the iPod touch as a gaming device in this clever ad on IGN.
I remain skeptical. My favorite genres of games are impractical on a no-button touchscreen (shooters, platformers, RPGs), and it’s going to take some doing to convince major players like EA and Ubisoft to break exclusivity or first-dibs deals with the other guys. Still, the more games the better, and there are plenty of possibilities for good stuff on the iPod. Just don’t pretend a virtual D-pad is in any way acceptable.