To really prove a point, Apple could reveal mac exclusive AAA games during the announcement of the first ASi macs. Do you think this will happen? And what games would you like to see?
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Exclusive AAA games during first mac announcement event?
- Thread starter themichiel
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A game demo is certainly plausible, there was one during WWDC also. Games are one of the few applications left that truly push modern systems to their limits and are therefore a good test.
I don’t think it will be an exclusive because the Mac market is so small, and the ASi installed base will be minuscule at the beginning.
I don’t think it will be an exclusive because the Mac market is so small, and the ASi installed base will be minuscule at the beginning.
Probably Crossy Road, like at the sad ATV4 launch.
I can see an existing/announced AAA game being shown off at the event working on AS Macs/ios but it most certainly will NOT be exclusive.
One thing to keep in mind, AS Macs can run ios games... So any AAA game that would have native support for AS macs will likely be targeting ios users as the main audience. I can certainly see games announced that require A12 or higher to play in order to keep the "console quality" gaming that Apple seems to want to push for.
One thing to keep in mind, AS Macs can run ios games... So any AAA game that would have native support for AS macs will likely be targeting ios users as the main audience. I can certainly see games announced that require A12 or higher to play in order to keep the "console quality" gaming that Apple seems to want to push for.
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What I could see happening is an existing multi-platform AAA game coming to Mac for the first time but only running on ASi Macs.
A better story would be an exclusive AAA Arcade game, potentially available on iPads (and maybe a new ATV). Available to more people that way.
Given that Apple seems to be limiting the Macs more and more, I doubt they want any games.
I think they want games to "migrate" to a more powerful Apple TV.
But I could be wrong.
I think they want games to "migrate" to a more powerful Apple TV.
But I could be wrong.
They demoed Tomb Raider on stage at WWDC which shows a pretty strong interest in Mac games IMO.
Coupled with the A14 Apple TV rumor, I think Apple is trying to make a push into the gaming market with ios and to an extent, AS Macs.
I hope you are right, but I doubt you are.
There was a bunch of rumors in 2014 and 2015 about Apple getting into the video game market with the then rumored ATV4.
Rumors saying that the next ATV would be capable of Xbox 360 quality games and Apple pushing the ATV4 as a "console killer".
Fast forward to the beginning of the fall of 2015, tvOS and the ATV4 was launched, but with only an A8 chip, 1080p, Siri Remote requirement for developers, and a 200MB static limit for apps.
Couple all of that with the Crossy Road demo to "show off" the gaming capability of the ATV4, and it was pretty clear that the ATV4 wasn't a console killer.
The rumor mill was going crazy with the ATV4 rumors back then, and there was way more gaming related rumors then than there is now for the next ATV.
I think any speculated gaming interest from Apple in the Mac and the ATV/tvOS is just people wishing it would happen, not actual rumors.
Hopefully I am wrong about it, I honestly would love to be.
There is also the problem about what Apple considers AAA “console quality” gaming.... So far it apparently means League of Legends, a game that looks like it could have appeared on iOS years ago with many carbon copies already existing in the App Store...
Personally I hope apple focuses on independent developers and don't give a dime to AAA developers.
AAA games are bland, formulaic and soulless, but they sure are shiny.
AAA games are bland, formulaic and soulless, but they sure are shiny.
If they are trying to make a push into the gaming market, then they need to show PERFORMANCE, not shiny objects. Apple will need to show at least a 1 FPS performance increase over the old MacTels AND at least a 1 FPS increase over "Just buy an iPad" AND at least a 1 FPS performance increase over Windows gaming stats.
If any of those do not match, ASMacs won't sell for gaming as gamers will go to Windows or "Just buy an iPad."
I think that depends on the genre of game. If it is a non-competitive game (say like Control) having a steady 60FPS while you crank up the detail is preferred to making the game that much more twitchy.
I'm not sure I know too many AAA studios willing to spend millions of dollars on a game that will only be available to a niche group.
More likely that apple lines up game studios to commit to porting their existing games, however, many existing games are 32bit.
Finally, when it comes to gaming on a Mac, Apple has been pretty apathetic at best and truth be told, I don't see them trying to market the ARM macs as a gaming machine
The glare off those super polished floors blind me. And gives me a bad conscience cleaning wise. I don’t need that.
Yeah, the Mac gaming market is small, but this isn't a problem for Apple since they can simply sign an exclusive deal with a AAA company. However, Apple has never shown to much interest in gaming and I don't think they will bring a Mac exclusive this year.
Apple would need to have it's own game studio for such an Mac exclusive title. Microsoft does it with Flight Simulator, Halo etc., Apple doesn't have anything comparable. I can't see any big game studio making a Mac exclusive unless they are being paid big bucks by Tim Apple.