Apple Video Game Console?

[goMac]

Apple doesn't have to wire up anything, or even do anything, they just need to leave the API open and the ecosystem will take care of it.

Touch controllers simply won't work for gaming like that...

It's not that simple. If you're a developer you have to target a few dozen possible controllers with different button combinations for a still small market. It doesn't make any sense and it's entirely non Apple.

If you do touch screens, you can even play the game on the go without the AppleTV. It's the direction that makes the most sense, and it's already where Apple is going.

You may be right that touch controllers "simply won't work for gaming like that," but it's still what Apple is most likely to do. They're not interested in going directly against traditional consoles like the 360, and even companies like Nintendo are moving towards touch screen as controller.

 

[damir00]

You may be right that touch controllers "simply won't work for gaming like that," but it's still what Apple is most likely to do.

Then they will fail in the gaming market for a second time.

They're not interested in going directly against traditional consoles like the 360, and even companies like Nintendo are moving towards touch screen as controller.

The Wii U touch screen is an addition to the physical buttons/sticks, not a replacement of them. It's more like a HUD than anything else, where auxiliary information is displayed.

Touchscreen control is a disaster when you can't look at the screen you're touching.

 

[goMac]

Then they will fail in the gaming market for a second time.

Maybe? I dunno, they seem to be doing quite well with touch screens right now. It may not be what you want, but the market seems to be eating it up. There is a pretty good argument that they are already quite successful with touch screens.

Touchscreen control is a disaster when you can't look at the screen you're touching.

Again, the market seems to disagree. Not that you aren't entitled to your own personal feelings on touch screens.

 

[damir00]

Again, the market seems to disagree.

I don't see how.

Nobody is shipping - or has shown plans to ship - a system where the primary controller is a touch screen on one screen while the primary gameplay happens on a different display.

Seems to me the market is in complete agreement with my perspective.

 

[0098386]

I don't see how.

Nobody is shipping - or has shown plans to ship - a system where the primary controller is a touch screen on one screen while the primary gameplay happens on a different display.

Seems to me the market is in complete agreement with my perspective.

The DS had touchscreens in what, 2004/5? Even after they tried to ween players off buttons (some games going touchscreen-only), their next system the 3DS still had physical buttons. And so far it has been a massive success.

The Vita has a multitouch touchscreen and multitouch back, and physical buttons. Looks like the best solution (for gaming) is to cover all bases.

 

[goMac]

Nobody is shipping - or has shown plans to ship - a system where the primary controller is a touch screen on one screen while the primary gameplay happens on a different display.

Apple does today. Airplay based games. For example, with Real Racing you play on the TV, but you control the steering with the accelerometer.

The logical leap for the AppleTV as game console would be the same setup, but instead of the iPad/iPhone streaming the display to the AppleTV, you have the AppleTV rendering locally.

 

[whooleytoo]

Apple does today. Airplay based games. For example, with Real Racing you play on the TV, but you control the steering with the accelerometer.

The logical leap for the AppleTV as game console would be the same setup, but instead of the iPad/iPhone streaming the display to the AppleTV, you have the AppleTV rendering locally.

True, but that's controlling via an accelerometer, not a touchscreen. He's right, using a touchscreen while looking at another display really doesn't work; unless you can play via gestures (and that would suit few game types).

 

[Wardenski]

IMO its not a question of hardware its a question of games.

No one is going to buy an expensive console for what are essentially mobile games. People will hand over hard earned cash for big games like Halo, Zelda, God of War etc and some people buy consoles only to play certain games.

I bought a Wii more or less for Zelda and Mario games for example.

 

[goMac]

True, but that's controlling via an accelerometer, not a touchscreen. He's right, using a touchscreen while looking at another display really doesn't work; unless you can play via gestures (and that would suit few game types).

Or unless the TV is the secondary display and the device is the primary display.

If people are looking for Apple to get into the traditional game console market... it's just not going to happen. Apple doesn't have any interest in those sorts of games. The last time they did was Halo, and they got totally burned by that experience.

Anything they do is going to be an extension of the iOS app store, not a new "button based controller" ecosystem.

Bleh, that almost makes me sick to write... Apple HATES buttons... The idea they'd ship a button based SDK....

 

[mkjj]

Pippin

'Nuff said.

Been there, done that etc....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mac-collection/sets/72157623547637210/

 

[nostylluan]

iOS games will migrate to OSX in the next OS this summer.

you'll be able to play cut the rope on iphone/ipad/imac

what's the point of a console? so you can have two players?... get two laptops or two ipads or two iphones with wifi or bluetooth. all you need is a friend with another device. that's the only downside.

no point making a console, one day apple will have its own cpu/gpu for laptops and then it'll be its own platform. the future is sony/microsoft/google/apple

pick your company, this fight will last decades ;p