Apple Has No Plans for Dedicated iOS Gaming Controller

MacRumors · Mar 29, 2013

Following today's rumor that Apple was quietly polling developers at this week's Game Developers Conference about support for a forthcoming gaming controller for iOS devices, the ever-reliable Jim Dalrymple has quickly quashed that report.

As usual, Dalrymple provides no additional comment beyond a simple "Nope", but his selective quoting of the source material suggests that he is denying any current plans for an Apple-branded controller.

"Long rumoured - and hoped for - GDC 2013 has finally provided confirmation that Apple will release its own dedicated game controller."

Nope.

Dalrymple has solid connections at Apple and has on numerous occasions and with 100% accuracy either confirmed or denied specific rumors. Prior to today, his most recent such statement came last month when he nixed a claim of a television-related Apple media event scheduled Apple for this month.

Article Link: Apple Has No Plans for Dedicated iOS Gaming Controller

komodrone · Mar 29, 2013

Judging from typical Apple trends, It'll probably be a one button controller anyways if it did ever happen.

iParis · Mar 29, 2013

I'd probably be more inclined to trust him than an "analyst" any day.

WildCowboy · Mar 29, 2013

iParis said:
I'd probably be more inclined to trust him than an "analyst" any day.

Only "probably"?

KylePowers · Mar 29, 2013

Welp, the thought of it was fun while it lasted. I'll be patiently awaiting the next-gen Xbox anyhow

EDIT - Holy moly grammar on my part.

pgiguere1 · Mar 29, 2013

Never trust a website that ends with ".biz".

dernhelm · Mar 29, 2013

WildCowboy said:
Only "probably"?

I dunno, if I'm Apple and I want to spread misinformation, I know where I'd start...

r2shyyou · Mar 29, 2013

komodrone said:
Judging from typical Apple trends, It'll probably be a one button controller anyways if it did ever happen.

You mean like this?

thedeejay · Mar 29, 2013

TimUSCA · Mar 29, 2013

Not sure why anyone would buy into this anyway. Apple has always said that the iPhone is about touch... releasing a game controller not only reverses their trends, but it also complicates things by adding apps into the App Store that require an accessory.

Apple will never do this.

D.T. · Mar 29, 2013

pgiguere1 said:
Never trust a website that ends with ".biz".

I think we need a new top level domain named .bs

"Hey, did you hear Apple unveiled plans for a new car!?!"

"Holy crap, really? What's the source?? Link??"

"http://www.excitingapplenew.bs"

"oh..."

achilles10 · Mar 29, 2013

GDC 2013 has finally provided confirmation

Well, he could be saying that GDC hasn't provided confirmation.

Silmarien · Mar 29, 2013

Orly..?

APlotdevice · Mar 29, 2013

Drats.

TimUSCA said:
Not sure why anyone would buy into this anyway. Apple has always said that the iPhone is about touch... releasing a game controller not only reverses their trends, but it also complicates things by adding apps into the App Store that require an accessory.

Apple will never do this.

There are already a ton of apps in the app store at require a physical accessory of some sort. And it's not like game developers couldn't implement both touch and physical controls. In fact all the iCade compatible games do that already.

NYhaven · Mar 29, 2013

Jim Dalrymple aka the Oracle

Scott90 · Mar 29, 2013

How come Dalrymple knows all these things? He's not confirming/denying rumors anonymously, so why wouldn't his sources at Apple stop giving him information if they know he leaks?

nagromme · Mar 29, 2013

Too bad! I hoped it was true, but Dalrymple's record is good.

Back to my iCade.

speaking anonymously, multiple developer sources have confirmed the news to PocketGamer.biz.

So, pure fiction from Pocketgamer? They lied about hearing this from multiple developers? Noted for future reference!

Scott90 said:
How come Dalrymple knows all these things? He's not confirming/denying rumors anonymously, so why wouldn't his sources at Apple stop giving him information if they know he leaks?

Because they DO know. They're the ones telling him, knowing it will/might get out. It's not a "leak," more a "back-channel" I'd say.

Patriot24 · Mar 29, 2013

Scott90 said:
How come Dalrymple knows all these things? He's not confirming/denying rumors anonymously, so why wouldn't his sources at Apple stop giving him information if they know he leaks?

Apple feeds him bits of information that they want to be public without making a formal statement. Typically the types of information he is afforded are simple "nopes" to outrageous rumors. It is their way of controlling expectations.

pinchez · Mar 29, 2013

A Joypad made by Apple would suck, they can't even make a decent mouse! a far better idea would be to incorporate BT drivers in iOS then we could have the option of using PS3 pads etc.

Scott90 · Mar 29, 2013

Patriot24 said:
Apple feeds him bits of information that they want to be public without making a formal statement. Typically the types of information he is afforded are simple "nopes" to outrageous rumors. It is their way of controlling expectations.

https://www.macrumors.com/2012/08/2...le-media-events-for-new-iphone-and-ipad-mini/

He pretty much confirmed the fact that there was going to be an iPad mini. Are you saying Apple wanted that? I can't imagine that, but I guess it's Apple we're talking about...

D.T. · Mar 29, 2013

nagromme said:
Back to my iCade.

The iCade is really nice, the stick/controls are very high quality, totally takes me back to the 80's arcade experience

I should probably buy one.

Patriot24 · Mar 29, 2013

Scott90 said:
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/08/2...le-media-events-for-new-iphone-and-ipad-mini/

He pretty much confirmed the fact that there was going to be an iPad mini. Are you saying Apple wanted that? I can't imagine that, but I guess it's Apple we're talking about...

Yes. I'm not sure if you're new to the ballgame here, but Apple regularly "leaks" information to trusted journalists. Walt Mossberg, David Pogue, and a few others are seeded these little nuggets of info to get the excitement rolling.

To the masses, Apple has an image of secrecy. To anyone that follows closely, they are actually quite loose with details when they want to be. It is all part of the PR/Marketing game.

denisclc · Mar 29, 2013

Well, he is not denying that the thing exists... He's just saying that GDC did not provide confirmation

Casiotone · Mar 29, 2013

iOS controller or not, it seems that Apple may indeed have met some devs at GDC, if we were to believe this:

Phil Fish (creator of FEZ) posted a cryptic tweet three days ago about a meeting with Apple, which I thought was weird since I don't think that Apple was officially at GDC.

https://twitter.com/PHIL_FISH/status/316736139753029633

Note: Phil Fish is a little weird so I'm not sure what to think of it.

Defender2010 · Mar 29, 2013

"Nope" might mean no to a physical controller, but yes to a software based controller (on iPod touch/iPhone/iPad) in conjunction with Apple TV gaming apps....??

Apple Has No Plans for Dedicated iOS Gaming Controller

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