Is iPhone game development a sustainable way to keep the recession rubbles at bay? As it turns out some people do think so. Enter Dennis Hescox, a 54-year-old software veteran with prior professional experiences at Sega, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Apple itself. After being laid-off from his latest job, Mr. Hescox, as it turns out has found it hard to start all over again at a new job at the age of 54. He has, therefore, decided to pin his hopes on the biggest, smash-est hit of the year, the 10,000 strong Apple Store. He hopes to strike gold with his game “Maze Wars Revisited” for the iPhone.

The game itself is a touchscreen multiplayer wi-fi network game that requires you to use the iPhone’s touchscreen controls to hunt down another player.  The UI is nice and the mazes can spring out some nice surprises.

The game is addictive and fun. But is it a million dollar idea?

Let’s look at the context. The smooth 1-click Apple Store is full of goodies and freebies. And that combination has made it withstand the ripple effects of recession that has hit all the other sector.

WIRED Networks reported:

Job seekers struggling to land gigs during the economic downturn are going to wish they had iPhone programming skills. The demand for iPhone developers worldwide has grown 500 percent in the past six months.

The games and apps that have struck gold in the App Store and made millionaires out of their developers include: Trsim and Labyrinth. The success of these simple and addictive apps have made their developers  wealthy and happy and possibly hungry for more.

However, some of the big names did not exactly crack the App Store. Though there are not any outright failures at the App Store.

What is the right recipe then? I think simple games with very good looks and feels will rule the roost and the pockets.

May be you could take a look at the Maze Wars Revisited (iTunes) and tell us what you think?