Round-Up: Apple/Intel Developer Fallout, Gizmondo Sued

Today's wrap-up includes feedback from prominent Mac game developers on Apple's decision to switch its hardware to the Intel x86 chip, and a game maker pursuing Gizmondo creator Tiger Telematics into the courts, as well as the latest product news and job postings from today. - the Apple-specific website Inside Mac Games has posted a round-up of developer opinions on Apple's recent announcement that the company will switch from PowerPC architecture to Intel's x86 chips. A couple of anonymous respondents were bleak about the possible fallout, going as far as to say "Who's going to buy a Mac now? Apple has effectively just deemed their entire product line obsolete." Glenda Adams of Aspyr Media expressed concern but not pessimism, saying: "I'm shocked and a bit nervous. Not that I won't have a job or that Mac games will disappear, but nervous that there are too many unknowns to really know where this transition will take us." On the positive end of the spectrum, Ryan Gordon of Epic Games was enthusiastic about the move, commenting: "This will be a huge win once we get the majority of users over to these systems, both in terms of developer expertise and end-user performance." - Tiger Telematics, makers of the Gizmondo handheld system, has been sued by a developer for the system who claims that Tiger misled them and is in breach of contract. Seattle-based portable game developer Handheld Games was contracted to deliver a racing game for the system, according to the company, but Handheld Games says that neither the promised Gizmondo development kits nor the final master license agreement ever arrived. Furthermore, Handheld claims that Tiger and Gizmondo have already begun development of the racing game with another developer, cutting Handheld out of the loop entirely. Handheld is seeking damages of over $75,000 in the suit. - Also added today: product news including Luxology's announcement of Windows/Mac licensing for modo, confirmation that VMC has been chosen as an Xbox 360 testing partner, and Trinigy's Vision Game Engine support for the Xbox 360, as well as the latest job postings from companies including Dynamic Animation Systems, KingsIsle Entertainment, and The Art Institute of Washington.