So, my chiptune creation system "Rhythm Core Alpha 2" has been out on Nintendo DSi and 3DS for about a year now, and it is doing alright, but it is time to start working on the next version. But I am stuck deciding on a platform for it. Whatever is next is going to be a complete rewrite by necessity, so I want to make it count!
* The 3DS is nice and has a huge user base, but Nintendo rules limit what I can do with it and how and where I can market it.
* I'd like to do Android, but audio latency is still an issue, as is porting everything to Java.
* Windows PC might be an option, but selling stuff on it is a lot of work. Piracy and competition are a big issue.
* The PS Vita is a solid machine, and I can probably get decent terms out of Sony, but sales are low and it is hard to even find stores that have it in stock.
I have also considered porting it to non-portable consoles, although I worry that would make it hard to use live...
* The Nintendo Wii U has all of the problems of the 3DS and the Vita combined...
* Sony Playstation 4 might be decent.
* XBox One... I don't know if I could bring myself to do it.
There is also the possibility of doing a version for classic game consoles, although I don't know how I would make enough money to live on that...
* Sega Genesis / Megadrive - I have programmed this machine professionally, and you can still get various knockoff portables that will run stuff written for this, although I am not sure how good they are.
* Atari 8-Bit Computers - My first love. Could be fun, but would anybody care?
Finally, I have been considering the idea of doing dedicated hardware. This is far more risky and expensive, and a bit outside of my current skill set. I *do* have a degree in Electrical Engineering, I just haven't used it in over 20 years. It could be funded via kickstarter, and maybe even sold in music stores someday. Not having to answer to any of these gatekeepers does have some appeal...
So, what do you think? Which platform should I support next?