Thank you Barbara and Arthur for replying to my post about Village Sim on pocket pc!

I absolutely LOVE playing games on my pocket pc. I don't really use it for anything else. Since getting Fish Tycoon, I rarely even play anything else. My husband is willing to buy me whichever will work the best for my games. I posted in the technical forum about the problem I have been having with my Axim x50v(my fishies are lagging behind the stylus) but it plays great on my Axim x30. But, if there is a way to get both great graphics like on my x50v, and speed, which I think is the problem with the fish lagging....(they also move much slower,)by purchasing a Palm device, I would do it in a second.

I am not computer savvy, so I need easy......

Thanks in advance,
Sherry

I'll send you a PM. I wouldn't want to start a full-blown device war here! I could just imagine how many 'my device is better than your device' posts we could collect here!

I own both Palm and Pocket PC devices so I'm not here to start a war, but if you're looking for a suggestion of a Palm device for games then the Zodiac 2 is definitely worth considering as that's mainly what it was designed for. If you shop around you should also be able to find some good prices on that device as they've been dropping quite a bit lately.

I'm glad everyone's taking the "I don't want to start a war" stance here, because those do tend to get ugly. I have both as well, and I like them both for gaming. I really think it depends on the model of PDA and what kind of game you are playing. For instance, neither of my devices are good for playing platform type games or other games that require the use of a D-Pad (though I will say between the two I like the Palm slightly better). I've only tried one game on both platforms (Mazera), and I thought the graphics were nicer on the Palm. Of course, I'd have to believe the VGA PPCs blow everything else away right now, but I've never gotten to play with one of those

I'm sure the graphics looking better all depends on the developer too - of course some devices just look better than others, even between only Palm type products. If the developer works mainly on the PPC version and just throws together a Palm one, or vice versa, then of course one will be better than the other.

I personally only have a Palm as I have limited funds and I just bought my T5 I'm very happy with it and though I'm very curious about PPC and will probably pick one up eventually, I think they both have their perks and down sides and I've been nothing but pleased with my Palm and the game functions and as with ANY electronics, some brands are just better than others - so there could in comparison be a Palm that BLOWS AWAY a PPC - and again, vice versa It's all personal preference on selection, features, how it looks, what types of products are available for it, etc. Like I'm a die hard Nintendo fan because I love Mario stuff and I grew up with that brand of games - but I'm sure that other game platforms might play faster or look better but I don't care - because I love what I got!

So in summary - find something you enjoy and LOVE IT. Or, save up and buy one of each - lol.

I'm babbling.

Another consideration is the types of games that are available on each device. I might be mistaken, but it seems to me that more 'hardcore' games are best-selling on PPC, and more 'casual' games predominate the Palm market.

If you want to play lots of shooters and strategy games, you might be better off with a PPC. If you like puzzlers and word games and these types of games, you'll probably be better of gaming on a Palm.

Thank you Alsicole! I will definately look into it. How does Fish Tycoon run on it? Do the fish stick to the stylus as you move them around, or lag behind it? That's the problem I have with my Axim x50v, but Arthur said they were working on fixing that soon.

I do think I would like a Palm device though because it seems that's where all the games come out first.

Thanks again
Sherry

I'm running the Zodiac version of Fish Tycoon on my Zodiac 2. The game runs fine, although there is some 'lag' in dragging the fishies - more noticeable in a full tank, very slight when there's only one or two fish in the tank.

Thank you so much Barbara!!!! I sat down earlier today with both of my Axims and compared them(for the hundredth time)and there actually is a very slight lag on my Axim x30 when there is a full tank. I do think it is a speed issue. So it is not actually perfect like I thought, it just so much better than the x50v that I'm dissappointed in the x50v! Can you tell me if the stats show up immediatly as you touch a fish on your Zodiac, or does it take a second?

I truly love this game so much....and I NEVER seem to get tired of playing with the fishies! So, I expect that I will feel the same way about Village Sim. Which makes me want to have the very best device for these particular games. All the other games I have run fine on both Axims, but I really want the best for my little fishies and soon my little villagers!

Sherry

Arthur, this information really helps me too. I hate fast games and only ever purchase puzzle and slow paced games(I'm too old...no reflexes left!) I think that's why I love Fish Tycoon so much....it really is a relaxing game....and after the last few years I've had, I really needed something like this!!!!! I just downloaded the demo for plant tycoon but I think I'll still love my fishies the best.

Thank you Eric and Rebecca too...somehow I didn't see your posts until just now.

I really appreciate all the imput, (without the "wars") because that's really the only way to get information...by asking people what they like. And I realize that everyone has their own opinions....I like to hear them all and the reasons they like them.

Sherry

Just for you, Sherry, I checked this out not only on the Zodiac, but the hx4700 and the T5, as well. There is no difference in the time it takes to display the stats, and I would say it's immediate. There certainly isn't a noticeable delay in displaying the stats, health and food bars on any of my devices. I click on a fish, look at the stats area, and see the information. Just FYI, Village Sim runs equally well on the T5 and the Zodiac 2.

You are certainly a busy lady Barbara! Just looking at all the postings on the site, you have addressed every one, and have found the time to work on my problem too! Thank you!

So here's another question: What about the graphics on your devices? The reason I wanted to switch from x30 to x50v is because the VGA is SO beautiful, and makes the graphics on the x30 look cartoonish; if I had never seen the VGA graphics I wouldn't even be thinking of switching because the speed is fine on the x30. So, do the T5 and Zodiac have graphics programs that compare to the VGA? I've read about the "graphics accelerator" but I'm really computer illiterate, so I don't know what that means!

Also,(sorry....more questions!) how does the game show up on the Zodiac? It's a landscape type device right? Does it play on only a portion of the screen? And, can you play it in portrait mode as well? And, is it comfortable to play games with a device in a horizontal position?

Thanks again Barbara.....You're sweet for taking the time to find out this stuff for me....With all the health problems around here lately, this game is such a great escape for me....but I am definately ready for Village Sim, so if the a palm device has a great graphics program, I really think I'll go that route. I wonder why the developers do games for palm devices first....must be a programing thing......

Thanks so much
Sherry

Uh-Oh I just realized that if I switched to a palm device, I would have to purchase all my games again. Even though I play Fish Tycoon most of the time(and it IS my very very favorite,and I wouldn't mind purchasing IT again,) I do have other puzzle type games that I play which are all about $20 each which would be very spendy after the purchase of the device itself! Hmmmmmm....I am really rethinking this now......

Hi, Sherry! Don't worry about the questions - that's what forums are for!

First, I'll address your question about cost. It can get very pricey changing platforms from PPC to Palm OS if you have very many applications. Depending upon the software developer, they may be willing to give you registration codes for your new platform (I did that with my Astraware games), but not every developer will do that. It also depends on whether or not your programs are available in versions for both platforms (many of mine were not).

As to why LDW releases games first on the Palm - it's because they find that it works best developing for Palm (the trickier platform), and then porting to the PPC.

The displays on my T5 and my Zodiac 2 are not as nice as the VGA display on my hx4700. And my Zodiac 2, even on full brightness, is dimmer and 'yellower' than my T5. It still looks good, and you don't notice unless you have the devices side by side. The Zodiac displays Village Sim and other traditional Palm games in the usual square format. Unlike the Pocket PC, many Palm games do not support full screen mode. It's easier (and cheaper) to offer one version of the game that supports the vast majority of Palm devices in use (PPC applications are all full-screen). The Zodiac operates normally in landscape mode, because the layout of the controls is similar to the typical game console controller (GameCube, Playstation, X Box etc.) If you intend to play 'action' type games, that can be very handy. Most of the games I play don't use those controls, but the solitaire program that comes with the Zodiac lets you use them to play without the stylus. That's handy. Since Village Sim and other 'square format' games don't take up the whole screen, you have your choice on the Zodiac to display it in the center of the screen with margins on each side, or on the side of the screen with the normal graffiti silkscreen displayed next to the game.

Graphics accelerators are not programs, rather they are part of the hardware built into the device. Depending on the type of accelerator, it can provide a big performance boost with many games. It all depends on the game and the hardware you're using.

In general, if our customers switch from Palm OS to Pocket PC (or viceversa) they will not have to pay for the game twice, of course!

Awww how nice of you Carla!