Onyx Online Brings Social Networking to iPhone Games

**AppleChic** · 11-09-2008, 10:30 AM

A new piece of software could transform the iPhone into a much more adept gaming device.

The new software is a tool called Onyx Online and is free. Onyx Online was developed by Steve Demeter, the same developer who created the popular and profitable Trism for the iPhone. Game makers and developers who choose to embed Onyx in their creation get a host of social networking features already added. Just a few of which include leaderboards, achievements and forums. What’s more is that iPhone owners playing Onyx Online embedded games would be able to view each other’s profiles, compare scores and see what games everyone else is playing. Onyx Online allows players to find each other and even challenge each other to duels! Demeter explains:

"Right now games don't introduce the social aspect at all on the iPhone," Demeter said in a phone interview. "If there is a social aspect it's an island. If these users are playing Trism, they're playing Trism; it's an island. How does that tie into other puzzle games? If players are still connected to a larger whole then they're more likely to keep playing other games."

Unfortunately, Demeter says the extreme growth of Apple’s App store and all the software that has cluttered it is hurting business for independent coders like himself, and subsequently the consumer. Demeter thinks if this continues consumers will see only small amounts of high quality games from independent developers, as they’ll have been mostly replaced with titles from large companies like Sega.

Demeter claims that Onyx Online will "save the App Store." He is calling for independent game developers to sign up to use his code with the hopes that the social-networking aspect of Onyx would benefit developers by connecting the games in one network and allowing the developers to essentially be sharing each other's customers, which he hopes will lead to growth.

I think this is pretty cool…playing games by yourself is not nearly as fun as when you are playing/interacting with a group of people.

You can check out more by reading Demeter’s blog

**marcolious-j** · 11-09-2008, 10:38 AM

wow this sounds pretty good.. is there any news when it'll be ported for everyone?

**opticsoldier** · 11-09-2008, 10:50 AM

ya im just wondering when ittl be public for everyone

**rwin84** · 11-09-2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by marcolious-j

wow this sounds pretty good.. is there any news when it'll be ported for everyone?

Ported for everyone? It is for everyone.

**cpjr** · 11-09-2008, 11:33 AM

This could bring a whole new "world" to iphone gaming...this will be cool

**realzg** · 11-09-2008, 02:15 PM

it could bring aqwhole new world but thegames gotta get better rightnow all the games are not so much enthusing to me the only games worthy are like asphault4, tycoon, Quake, RS09, V.Villagers to me anyway if we have more people like ZODTTD makeing games or porting games of high recognition to the phone i would be more then happier to agree that this app will be more then worth it but these simpleton games being made i know isnt showing what the iphones true power has to offer

**billchase2** · 11-09-2008, 06:40 PM

very cool. i'll be keeping an eye on this.

**iFokust** · 11-09-2008, 06:45 PM

very cool indeed.

**malevo** · 11-10-2008, 08:43 AM

will this be avialable on app store for free or paid??

**Jgamble317** · 11-10-2008, 10:04 AM

kind of like Xbox Live? pretty sweeet ill keep a look out for this!

**CaptainChaos** · 11-10-2008, 10:29 AM

This will help the little guys with great apps get some traffic. If you are browsing through the other games that people are playing you are more likely to visit the app than you would if you were just browsing through the appstore.

**cricketlang** · 11-10-2008, 02:11 PM

Thats pretty neat. This is a real developer that just shows all of us that we can make money off of little ideas and applications.....and i LOVE Trism

**thetoothfairy** · 11-10-2008, 06:24 PM

I think someone needed to do something because the app store is a zoo anymore..... I just hate it now..... Demeter's blog was interesting to read... and I also love Trism.... can't wait to see how this goes...

**blazingangel1986** · 11-10-2008, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by rwin84

Ported for everyone? It is for everyone.

hoping thats the case

**mrsidewayzz** · 11-10-2008, 08:28 PM

sounds very nice. cant wait to get my hands on it.

**cpjr** · 11-10-2008, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by theetoothfairy

I think someone needed to do something because the app store is a zoo anymore..... I just hate it now..... Demeter's blog was interesting to read... and I also love Trism.... can't wait to see how this goes...

I would have to agree.

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