SteamWorld Dig dev on moving from mobile platforms to the 3DS eShop
SteamWorld Dig is Image & Form’s first 3DS title. Prior to this, the studio had been developing for iOS and Android.
Even though these platform may have larger install bases, Image & Form CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson noted in an interview with Gamer’s Thumb that they’re more crowded, and may have users who are not as dedicated to gaming – leading to prices that “have fallen through the floor.”
Once Image & Form started to consider the situation, the company felt that the 3DS would be a good fit for their titles. With an increasing install base and gamer-centric focus, Nintendo’s portable system was a top choice for SteamWorld Dig – a game that “fits the unit like a glove.”
“Yes, there’s an enormous installed user base for iOS and Android. But there are also a lot more games coming out on mobile the whole time.
“Last fall, there were some 235,000 active publishers on the US App Store alone and around 300 app submissions per day. In a week, that means more than 2000 new apps and games.
“That’s just insane numbers, and it’s very tough to find your way to consumers.
“Very many of them don’t use their mobiles to play games, and prices have fallen through the floor. Literally, because most games coming out are free to play.
“Therefore, we decided to stand back for a moment and see how the other platforms were doing. And the 3DS became an obvious contender: there are more than 30 million units sold, sales of both units and games are increasing, it’s a gamer-centered platform, and the ocean is definitely blue. Plus the fact that SteamWorld Dig fits the unit like a glove.”
