This is going to bring a lot of cheers to those of you with a Windows Phone 8 device. Temple Run — the hugely popular game for iOS and Android devices has been launched for Microsoft's mobile platform. The hit touchscreen game sports the same UI as that for the other platforms and tests your reflexes to find out for how long you can outrun the Evil Demon Monkeys that are hot on your heels. There has been a lot of demand for this popular game on WP, and publisher Imangi Studios has finally relented, although this will only be available for WP8. Thankfully, it is completely free, as against the usual tradition of having better games appear only as trial or paid versions on the WP platform.

Temple Run is not the only game that was announced for the mobile platform at the Game Developer's Conference (GDC) 2013. However, users will have to either try or buy most of these games, which is a bit of a downer. The newly-launched games include titles such as 6th Planet (Rs 55), Orcs Must Survive (Rs 55), Fling Theory (Free), Ruzzle, Propel Man (Rs 55), Gravity Guy 2 (Rs 160), and Drift Mania Championship (Rs 110) some of which are already available. Of these, Gravity Gun 2 and Fling Theory are exclusive to the WP8 platform.

Microsoft seems to have decided to focus on WP8 only because none of the above will be available for WP7.5 or WP7.8 handsets. This is going to be a disappointment for those who already own an older WP device as they can only get the games on purchasing a newer handset. An exception to this rule is SQUARE ENIX's Chaos Rings — an RPG game that is only available for WP7.5. Incidentally, this game costs Rs 465, which is a lot more than other WP games. In today's world of smartphones, the apps ecosystem has been known to be a major deciding factor in whether or not a mobile platform will succeed, and popular games coming to WP will surely help its case. We hope other game developers follow suit soon.

TAGS: Mobile Phones, Gaming, Windows Phone, Microsoft