Game iPad

Why move from iPhone to console when so many developers are moving the other way as fast as they can? This was the key subject for Oliver's talk, as he explained how the financial security provided by that early App Store success gave Handcircus the time and space to pick its future direction, including going it alone after releasing Rolando through iOS publisher ngmoco.

He also talked about Angry Birds, and pointed to developer Rovio Mobile's decision not to assign full rights to the IP to the game's original publisher Chillingo: a decision that has since proved hugely lucrative for the Finnish developer.

Back to the question most often asked of Handcircus: why move from iPhone to console? "We're not moving away from iOS, but is it the best place to launch new IP?" asked Oliver, although he noted that games like Infinity Blade have managed to make a splash on the App Store, albeit with a bigger budget than most indie developers would have access to.

Oliver also said that hand Circus is superior to what other digital products could spin-off of games like Okabu. During its development, he took from a week to book an iPad app to create his characters, more than a creative interlude as a commercial endeavor. This could go further in the future, however.

"If you own property you do what you want, may continue," said Oliver. "If you show an animation or do something else, you can do it."