There went the last chance for Draw Something on Windows Phone

[Judge_Daniel]

Well, despite the nearly two thousand votes on the petition to get Draw Something on Windows Phone, it looks like OMGPOP, the makers of the app, have had other priorities. Today, Zynga is going to announce that they have purchased OMGPOP for $200M. That really stinks for Windows Phone users, since there has yet to be an app developed by Zynga on the marketplace.

What do you guys (and gals, of course) think about the acquisition?

Sources: All Things D and The Verge.

 

[btbam91]

Just came here to post this thread.

 

[PG2G]

Has there ever been any info on why Zynga has decided to show absolutely no support for Windows Phone? Perhaps this is something WPCentral can follow up on

 

[Judge_Daniel]

Just came here to post this thread.

Sorry, btbam.

Has there ever been any info on why Zynga has decided to show absolutely no support for Windows Phone? Perhaps this is something WPCentral can follow up on

Honestly, I don't know why they would. They are already a big name, so market penetration (which is what many devs could use WP platform for) isn't a priority for them. I'm thinking the Windows Phone platform is still just too small for them. Maybe Nokia will change their minds.

 

[based_graham]

Its better for Zyga and other AAA smartphone gaming devs to focus on Xbox live instead rather than on Windows Phone.

The reason I say that is because IMO I think the future of the Windows brand relies all on Xbox Live.

If Windows phone 8 can play Xbox Live arcade titles then developers don't have an excuse to develop for the Windows brand. If a developer devs for Xbox Live instead they have access to a huge market instead of a small growing market with Windows phone.

Imagine Windows Phone & Windows 8 having access to Xbox Live and save games via Skydrive that's going to be an awesome gaming experience.

 

[i2y4n]

Tell Zynga you want WP7 Support

Tell Zynga you want WP7 support.

Develop Words With Friends for Windows Phone 7

Windows phone 7

Make games for windows phone 7 platform

 

[Gorki247]

Don't really care now if Draw Something makes its way to WP or not as there is no way I'll ever buy anything from Zynga. There's plenty of other games out there to spend my money on instead.

 

[PG2G]

Don't really care now if Draw Something makes its way to WP or not as there is no way I'll ever buy anything from Zynga. There's plenty of other games out there to spend my money on instead.

Their games are extremely important for casuals that need to be convinced that Windows Phone can do what they need it to. If I could recommend the platform to people without having to add "BUT you won't be able to play <random Zynga game>" then I'd have a bunch more people using Windows Phones.

 

[sconrad308]

Since they won't support my phone of choice after having the other types. I won't support them by playing their games anymore.

 

[Serpentbane]

Its better for Zyga and other AAA smartphone gaming devs to focus on Xbox live instead rather than on Windows Phone.

The reason I say that is because IMO I think the future of the Windows brand relies all on Xbox Live.

If Windows phone 8 can play Xbox Live arcade titles then developers don't have an excuse to develop for the Windows brand. If a developer devs for Xbox Live instead they have access to a huge market instead of a small growing market with Windows phone.

Imagine Windows Phone & Windows 8 having access to Xbox Live and save games via Skydrive that's going to be an awesome gaming experience.

Well. XNA, programing anguage for xbox live games, are supported by XBOX 360, Windows pc and Windows Phone 7. Xbox live games can easely be ported WP7, as kongen as the HW is good enough, and touch controls are possible.

 

[Judge_Daniel]

I am honestly just tired of hearing my sister, who I convinced to purchase the Trophy, that she can't play Words With Friends, Draw Something, etc, etc, with her friends at work. I guess it is my fault for not warning her about that beforehand, but I really wanted to be a good WP-advocate.

 

[anodynamic]

I am honestly just tired of hearing my sister, who I convinced to purchase the Trophy, that she can't play Words With Friends, Draw Something, etc, etc, with her friends at work. I guess it is my fault for not warning her about that beforehand, but I really wanted to be a good WP-advocate.

Wordfeud is on all three platforms, and isn't there at least one more multiplayer scrabble-type game as well? And a version of Duudle is on its way to iOS as well. So, maybe you should use your sister to start an anti-Zynga campaign...

 

[Judge_Daniel]

Yeah, I told her to use Words By Post and to get her friends to get that, too. I just think it is always going to stink that we are going to have the newest trends last--if ever.

 

[KCMike]

This lack of apps is my one big issue with the Windows phones marketplace. I'd love to pick up the Lumia 900 but there are still too many good apps missing. Pandora? Still missing? That's a crime in my book.

 

[anodynamic]

I think things may change with Windows 8, though. I doubt Zynga, and the others that have helped turn casual gaming into casual labour, will miss out on the opportunities Microsoft Store will bring to app sales. Since the Metro apps share the development tools with Windows Phone it will be cheaper to port things to the phone as well.

 

[thehappycactus]

Is there a specific reason companies like Zynga aren't taking Microsoft up on its offer to fund WP app development? It kind of seems like a winning situation for everyone involved. Does analysis show that the money it would cost a company for upkeep of WP apps would be more than the money they'd make on them?