KlickTock’s Matthew Hall talks hidden object games on the iPhone

iPhone iPad

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By Jim Squires
Jun 16, 2010, 12:40pm

Thanks to the runaway success of the iPhone, many developers are all too eager to shrink their popular PC properties down for the pocket portable. But in the case of hidden object games something is getting lost in the translation.

We recently sat down with KlickTock’s Matthew Hall, developer of Doodle Find and Super Search 60 for the iPhone and Little Things for the PC, to pick his brain about why the most popular casual genre is struggling to find a home on a smaller device.

Despite their tremendous success on the PC, hidden object games have had something of a rough time on the iPhone. Where’s the disconnect?

I think most of it is to do with the eyes. It's just uncomfortable to search for objects that small on an iPhone. Developers have tried to adapt their games with pinch to zoom and scrolling around, but it's just not the same as sitting back with a cup of coffee and clicking away. Demographics are also important. The hardcore Hidden Object fans have found their spiritual home at Big Fish. There's no real reason to get out, pick up an iPhone/iPod touch to play these games on the go when it's more comfortable at home in front of a computer.

Your approach to hidden objects on the iPhone completely breaks from the mold set by PC HOG’s – was that intentional because of the limitations of the device?

After the launch of Little Things,I became interested in iPhone as the App Store was maturing. But the screen resolution was so different. Accessibility and legibility was important to me. I'd been playing a lot of Bejeweled Blitz on the iPhone and suddenly had the idea of blending the two genres. I loved the idea of a game that is over so quickly so players can fill up the spare time they have throughout the day. To this day I still play Doodle Find more than any other game on the iPhone! I'd also been playing Canabalt and Adam Atomic's mantra of 'bare minimum' stuck with me during the production of the game.

Some would argue that the iPad can provide a much more satisfying hidden object experience because of its larger screen.Do you think traditional HOG’s can find success on the iPad?

Absolutely! The screen resolution matches or exceeds the PC Hidden Object titles. You don't have to worry about scrolling around anymore. I think the iPad is a magnificent device for the casual PC user. I'd recommend one to anyone who doesn'tknow much about computing. You can do almost everything you can on a "real" computer without ever having to worry about viruses or spyware. I think Big Fish could be a major player on this device. I'm keen to take Little Things to the iPad as soon as I get time.

Is there anything you’d like to see change in the PC hidden object marketplace?

I discovered Big Fish and Real Arcade years ago and loved games such as Oasis and Luxor. The first hidden object games really blew my mind with their incredible accessibility. However, the selection of games has narrowed over time - it's very "rinse/repeat". Drawn was great, but that's the only recent title that comes to mind when I think of the genre. Blame can't really be placed on the portals as they have to give their players what they want. But it's no longer a site I frequently visit.

Most of the developers that got me interested in that space - such as Raptisoft - have moved onto the iPhone. I'm really glad the iPhone was invented - it's an amazing platform for developers, but it's getting very flooded. I've seen many great games pop up on the charts then sink like a stone. I shudder to think how much the developers made. With each commercial failure of a great game, it's a nail in the coffin for the platform. Even with my game I've had great reviews have been number 1 in 6 countries, but haven't made any headway in the United States. Apple needs to improve their store to properly identify the great new games and feature them prominently.

What’s next for KlickTock?

Doodle Find turned out to be a really addictive little game, but I was most happy with the Facebook Connect integration. People loved competing against their friends in the weekly challenges. Next up I hope to be making a social game broader in scope and appeal. I really love Restaurant City and my wife is hooked on Social City. There's very few games of this type on the iPhone as yet. I think a social game that appeals to the hardcore as much as the casual crowd could be really popular.

If you could recommend any hidden object game not made by KlickTock, what would it be?

On the PC I enjoyed Autumn's Treasures - I liked the way it messed with the formula. On the iPhone, probably the best is Pure Hidden. My all time favorite is - of course - Where's Wally (Where’s Waldo in the US), in good old book form.

Comments (4)

Imberis
Jun 16, 2010, 6:38pm

It's true that it is hard to play HOGs on the iPhone because of the small screen. However, a lot of the HOGs available for that platform are just plain awful! Big Fish has some good ones available, but they're just repeats of PC games made to fit the iPhone. If I've already played a game on my PC, I don't really want to replay it on the iPhone, especially since I'd have to pay for it again. I think "Little Things" would not be a hit on the iPhone, or really even the iPad, simply because of the space issue. I believe it wasn't too popular on the PC because of all of the tiny objects, so to make those objects even smaller might turn people away.

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Matthew Hall
Jun 16, 2010, 7:18pm

Hi Imberis, My iPad is arriving in the post today (at last), and I'm going to do a little test to see how Little Things might look. It's difficult to generalise about HOG on the iPhone. I mean - take a look at Where's Waldo which was (and still is) a huge seller on the platform. And it had REALLY small objects! The same Where's Waldo game on the PC didn't do very well at all. I think it's more about who actually owns these devices, and if that delivering a game that's new and engaging that those people want to play.

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Imberis
Jun 16, 2010, 9:53pm

That's true! I confess that I did actually buy Where's Waldo, and I liked that it gives you a set section to search for at a time, so you're not constantly scrolling all over the small iPhone screen. I think what you said about the "new and engaging" games is correct. I'd be very interested in a hidden object game made specifically for the iPhone more so than I am in a remake of a PC game, unless the remake made some useful or interesting changes to accommodate the iPhone or iPad screen.

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puzzledone
Jun 18, 2010, 2:08am

I am already having to pass on hidden object games I would have liked but too small on a 15.6 widescreen laptop. I can't imagine trying to play them on an iphone. Of over 100 games I've only found 2 that are set for a widescreen. On my brand new laptop with W7 the resolution reduces the game down to about 12" diag with black borders each side. Tiny objects are very very difficult to find, and if blurry or in dark spaces invisible. Maybe this is comparable to an ipad? Considering the main customer base for HOGs on Big Fish being mature to senior women, many have already upgraded to bigger monitors to enjoy the incredible graphics, artwork on these games. And the fragmented objects are very popular, even more difficult causing eye strain for those who splurged on laptops for portability. These games are not always about speed and scores, the longer the better. So IMO and personal experience, it's more than just being home with a cup of coffee but something to relax, leisure play. It would be very sad to see the casual HOG and interactive HOGs be phased out while devs have to chase the dollar. Already quality and length are suffering because of cheap prices. The 2 you mention, Waldo and Pure Hidden are a joke on a small laptop, never even finished the demo. There's such incredible artists designing scenes, I want to admire the whole picture, not a spot at a time moving with a mag glass or flashlight. And I buy for the best graphics, bright colorful clear eye friendly at least as most my age group look for too to buy..

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