Google Working on Game Console to Compete with Future Apple Gaming Threat

[oiuh151]

Apple should just buy Nintendo. Or kidnap Miyamoto and force him to make Mario games for iOS. I don't know. I haven't thought this through. I just want Nintendo games on iOS.

That would probably change my mind about iOS gaming. I wish Nintendo would just give up on hardware.

What an absolutely atrocious idea that would be for Nintendo. When you put your games on a smartphone not only do you devalue your IP but it's horrible for the long-run of the company that needs those franchises. Nintendo leaving the hardware market is not going to happen. A profit is a profit and so long as Nintendo makes money on the hardware they will continue to make it as it's another revenue stream and helps fund the amazing games they can put out. Not to mention they can fully take advantage of the hardware they're using as they created it and there's only one model that they need to support.

What?

Nostalgia aside, Nintendo's exclusives are no match for the masterpieces of today's consoles. As much as I love Mario, Metroid, and Zelda, I would very easily take Uncharted, The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Heavy Rain, Portal, Half Life, and others over them.

Gaming today, thematically, is far beyond what we had 10-15 years ago.

And yet somehow the Mario Galaxy games are some of the highest scoring games of all time.

http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html

 

[galrito]

Oh, RLY?! I would'nt want a game saved on the cloud due to what's going on with government surveillance. I like it 'off grid'.

Yes, you have to be extremely careful, the odds are the government are after your World of Warcraft (or another game you play) account to steal all your precious gold and armors.

 

[chrisbru]

Am I the only one who has no desire to game on an Apple TV or Android based console? The last thing I want to do is play a gimped iOS version of a game on my TV when I have a real gaming console and decent gaming PC. I have yet to find an iPhone/iPad game that can hold my attention for more then maybe 5 minutes. They all pretty much suck and are just good for killing time when waiting for a bus/train/plane/doctor/etc.

I just don't really see the market for these "console"s that are just mobile devices in a hard-wired box. Hard-core gamers don't care about them and casual gamers don't sit down in front of a TV to play games (they are fine with Angry Birds on their tablets/phones).

No, you're not the only one. But there is also a whole market of people who don't play enough serious games to buy a console but already have an Apple TV or would buy one if it could do Netflix, Music, Youtube, and casual games.

 

[haravikk]

1 - They are going to incorporate the new A8 chip into it
2 - They are going to include the new wireless 802.11ac networking protocol (The new iPads and iPhone that include this new protocol haven't been introduced yet either) Airplay using the new protocol resolves some of the latency with wireless 802.11n.
3 - Apple is either designing or working with a third party to create a dedicated gaming controller that uses wireless 802.11ac protocol
4 - Apple is working with some key developers on game development. This could even include key players in the marketplace. They won't announce a new product until they have significant game content.

All very real possibilities. While I would definitely see a new Apple TV with 802.11ac, I'm not certain it'd be necessary, as Bluetooth is more than capable enough for controllers, though WiFi could certain help for streaming more data between the Apple TV and an iOS device, for map-data etc., even so that could easily come separately, and might not be so latency sensitive.

Actually though, am I right in remembering that neither the XBox One or the PS4 have 802.11ac? If not then gigabit WiFi could certainly be a strong feature to push for the Apple TV when it comes to streaming HD content; 802.11n can manage it, but IMO not reliably enough in most homes (requires a generous amount of buffering first), so more speed is never a bad thing in such cases.

 

[tshrimp]

The heck with getting into the gaming market....Give me some actual TV on my AppleTV. Thing is only good for Airplay, and after that it is a joke of a device.....but I love it and it is worth it to me for Airplay alone.

If you want a real TV device that already does games go with Roku. Something like 750 Channels and not sure how many games as it isn't as good as the Xbox/PS3/Wii U. So it looks like Apple will copy someone else again...but they usually do it better

I know some will ask...what did they copy so here are a few things:

Tablet: - Many had this out first. I think Pencept was first. MS even was there before Apple
App Store - Steam anyone
GUI OS/Mouse - Developed by the Standford Research institute and furthered by Xerox
Smartphone: - many had this before Apple. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone

I know it sounds like I am bashing Apple, but I am just a realist, and realize Apple is just a company. With this said I love my Apple stuff, and just hope the government stops going to them for our personal information.

Everyone have a great weekend.

 

[arbourable]

That would probably change my mind about iOS gaming. I wish Nintendo would just give up on hardware.

I don't think Nintendo would do that, they like to be in control of both the hardware and software.

Next generation iOS hardware is likely to support P2P wireless connections between mobile devices, controllers and the aTV. This will enable games running on a phone or tablet to use the aTV as a display.

Sure, this approach will not be good enough when compared to current games consoles, it will be scoffed at by gamers, and ignored by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. BUT mobile devices are still rapidly improving; it's possible that by the time the PS4 and Xbox One are due for replacement, there will have been 5-6 generations of phones/tablets and the games should have improved greatly.

 

[Mr.damien]

And they say that Apple is on the defensive ...

Competitors now change their plans according to products that Apple "could" release.

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I don't think Nintendo would do that, they like to be in control of both the hardware and software.

Next generation iOS hardware is likely to support P2P wireless connections between mobile devices, controllers and the aTV. This will enable games running on a phone or tablet to use the aTV as a display.

Sure, this approach will not be good enough when compared to current games consoles, it will be scoffed at by gamers, and ignored by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. BUT mobile devices are still rapidly improving; it's possible that by the time the PS4 and Xbox One are due for replacement, there will have been 5-6 generations of phones/tablets and the games should have improved greatly.

They won't ignore it, they will try to not see it.
You can't ignore something when your business is hurt so bad by phones and tablet (ie handheld console)...

Nintendo will be the first to fall. They are far too arrogant and denying how the market is today. Nintendo is a futur SEGA. The only things that could delay it is if SEGA and Nintendo teams up for the hardware / software. They have enough licences to keep it alive for a while.

 

[Yixian]

Finally, Apple and Google are getting into this. I'm sick of these jokers Microsoft and Sony, and Nintendo has lost most of its mojo.

Sadly Jobs was pretty much an anti-gamer, he saw games as a waste of time and didn't think they were comparable to movies or music. Quite sad really considering games are essentially a progression of technology applied to human story telling, take The Walking Dead, I love the TV show but the game is 100x more emotionally engaging and stays with you a lot longer because it's interactive. Besides, even when gaming isn't deep or meaningful, neither is the vast majority of music and plenty of movies out there.

Still I don't know if there are many at Apple with a passion for games and it's passion for music that created the iPod, passion for computing that created the Mac etc. They will need great minds passionate about gaming in order to even create a platform that is meaningfully better than the offerings from Sony and Microsoft.

Nintendo were as close to the Apple of gaming as you could get, right down to shunning third parties, but now they have gone down the gimmick route as far as I'm concerned are 10% rehashes and 90% shovelware so it would be nice if Apple themselves stepped up.

 

[otakuon]

No. Just no.

Games like Minecraft and the Wii (drop off or no, its still sold more than either PS3 or Xbox this gen!) have proven without a doubt that graphics are ABSOULTELY NOT REQUIRED for success.

Graphics are good/helpful, yes. Required? Nope! The #1 requirement is "is this game FUN to play."

I do not think this is fully correct.

Top selling games are not necessarily the ones with the best graphics despite what studies show. (So even though that people want good graphics may be true, the money doesn't show that this translates to the most sales or profits). Companies will follow the money, and the most profitable games for companies do not necessarily have the best graphics.

So far high volumes and low cost games with in-app purchases is where the money is, and attracting game makers.

A general platform, with cheaper addictive games, that gets used alot, in many many homes will have a more robust ecosystem than a high powered platform with expensive games in fewer homes.

.

It seems to me that we are getting confused over the platform here. Mobile games have simpler graphics precisely because they are mobile games. People are used to that. But the same won't translate well when blown up on a larger screen and when the games must compete with traditional console games.

As for Wii, well, this is why we now have the Wii-U which provides current gen graphics. And when it comes to Minecraft, that is still a niche game. It's very popular among us "true" gamers who do appreciate good game play even if the graphics aren't all that great, but whenever I show the game to my more "casual" gaming friends (and even some so called "hard core" gamers), the first thing they say is "The graphics look terrible".
Look, I do believe that good game play can trump good graphics, but unfortunately, that train of thought does not hold sway with the general consumer. A gaming console from Google or Apple HAS to be able to compete graphically with the established consoles. If they don't, they will always be a niche product (maybe Google or Apple would be OK with this).

 

[whooleytoo]

Nope. But that's like saying the many AAA game titles available on PCs and Consoles aren't available on iOS. Everything has their place. Causal games work on portable devices because they allow the user to play them anywhere where they might have to kill a bit of time. No casual gamer is going to purposely sit down and play a game on their TV, because if they did, they wouldn't be a casual gamer.

I actually don't agree with that. Often when I come home from work I pick up an iPad and have a quick (casual) game to relax and unwind for a few minutes. If I could do the same on a TV - have an 'instant on' ability, a game that loads very quickly, simple gameplay that doesn't require learning/relearning, and an ability to just stop & resume without lengthly or manual saves - that to me is very much casual gaming.

Just because it's on a TV doesn't mean it can't be casual. If I was playing on the iPad, I'd still be in the same seat, just looking at a different screen

 

[69650]

Apple Television rumours seem to have gone quiet recently. Wonder if they've canned the idea and decided to stay with the AppleTV box.

I think it would be better to partner with existing TV makers to add AppleTV functionality built directly into their TVs rather than build an Apple branded TV. That business model seems to work well with the audio companies producing iPod speakers to suit every taste and price point.

 

[Bill Killer]

What an absolutely atrocious idea that would be for Nintendo. When you put your games on a smartphone not only do you devalue your IP but it's horrible for the long-run of the company that needs those franchises. Nintendo leaving the hardware market is not going to happen. A profit is a profit and so long as Nintendo makes money on the hardware they will continue to make it as it's another revenue stream and helps fund the amazing games they can put out. Not to mention they can fully take advantage of the hardware they're using as they created it and there's only one model that they need to support.

And yet somehow the Mario Galaxy games are some of the highest scoring games of all time.

http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html

The Galaxy games are great, but those are Wii titles, not GC/64 titles. And as great as those games are, and having played them in their entirety before Nintendo gave the finger to gamers and focused almost solely on casual users, I strongly believe that the PS3 has 3-4 of the best games ever produced.

 

[steve119]

So.....google needs to combat their rivals with rival products........why?

They should stick with what they are doing with google glass, android etc. they don't need to fight apple for every market, just the pies they already have their fingers in.

Of course they could always innovate.

 

[stars_fan]

Why couldn't Apple make a console like an XBOX? You don't need heavy duty hardware anymore to play advanced games. The Apple TV already has what the XBOX One dreams of having, a solid non-gaming side of the console, and getting games can't be too hard.

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They did it with the Nexus. If I was going to buy something with Android, I wouldn't want some obscure thing made by a probably terrible company (that includes you, HTC). I'd want Google behind it.

All they would need to do is take a page from Microsoft. Pull out some big stacks of cash and buy exclusive rights to games & early dlc.

I think many people are in my shoes and would buy one if they could add an exclusive franchise. The only reason I'm getting a Xbone is for Forza 5 and future Forza sim racers.

 

[Bill Killer]

I play the full series of:
- Prince of Persia
- Tomb Raider
- Tekken
- Soul Edge/Calibur
- Mortal Kombat
- Grand Theft Auto
- Halo
- Assassin's Creed
- Need for Speed
- Red Dead Revolver/Redemption
- D.O.A.
- Call of Duty
- Splinter Cell
- Metal Gear Solid

If I like a game series and there's one game of it on a Console that I don't have, I'll buy the Console.

You need to get some Naughty Dog or Quantum Dreams games in your life.

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All they would need to do is take a page from Microsoft. Pull out some big stacks of cash and buy exclusive rights to games & early dlc.

I think many people are in my shoes and would buy one if they could add an exclusive franchise. The only reason I'm getting a Xbone is for Forza 5 and future Forza sim racers.

You would also need to do what Apple has never shown a desire to do: future proof your hardware for up to a decade.

 

[oiuh151]

The Galaxy games are great, but those are Wii titles, not GC/64 titles. And as great as those games are, and having played them in their entirety before Nintendo gave the finger to gamers and focused almost solely on casual users, I strongly believe that the PS3 has 3-4 of the best games ever produced.

Regardless the point still stands that you stated this: "Nintendo's exclusives are no match for the masterpieces of today's consoles."

When the numbers clearly say otherwise.

And you can't be serious about Nintendo giving the middle finger to hardcore gamers. What they did was expand their audience while continuing to provide the same hardcore experiences and franchises they always did.

 

[apolloa]

This is a very very very odd story that I really do call BS on. How the hell is Google going to 'know' what Apple is going to make in the future? There hasn't been ANY evidence of any Apple games console, they've been their before and it tanked wonderfully.
I can't even see the Ouya or whatever it is succeeding enough to warrant Google making one, to make a mobile game transfer successfully to the living room and take on Nintendo and Sony and Microsoft? No. Sure it's a cool idea but no where near enough for Google OR Apple to enter the market.

So I will call this story utterly fake.

I also cannot wait to get my Playstation 4, and think The Last Of Us is a damn hard game haha, those damn clickers....

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Sorry Apple, but you're not going to own the living room and make Apple TV successful unless you stop thinking of it as a hobby and get serious. Google, Microsoft, Roku and others have gotten serious. Why haven't you?

 

[coolspot18]

Finally, Apple and Google are getting into this. I'm sick of these jokers Microsoft and Sony, and Nintendo has lost most of its mojo.

They missed the boat with the recent console launches ... people won't consider an Apple or Google console if they are already locked into the Xbox /PS4 platform.

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And you can't be serious about Nintendo giving the middle finger to hardcore gamers. What they did was expand their audience while continuing to provide the same hardcore experiences and franchises they always did.

I never considered Nintendo games to be hardcore - Mario and Zelda games are pretty fluffy in comparison to some of the other franchises on Xbox/PS4.

 

[donutbagel]

I never considered Nintendo games to be hardcore - Mario and Zelda games are pretty fluffy in comparison to some of the other franchises on Xbox/PS4.

"Fluffy" as in rated E 10+ or lower?

 

[Gigaman]

Lets see what the graphics and controllers look and feel like before we start claiming success. Your rating system is for small screens for small minds. Would like to see ratings from gaming sites like IGN or even Gamespot.


What big name gaming house developed a game specifically for android or ios on the level of GTA, Halo MGS, Forenza, Need For Speed,Uncharted, Tomb Raider 2013, Borderlands, Gears Of War, MW or any other of the big console sellers? And what were the games?

You're not gonna get that level of gaming development for 7.99. Not even 20.00.

The only reason there was a port made for iOS is due to the work and sales that went into the console version. Pop in one of the big name games, Halo, GTA, Borderlands, etc. Go to the credit screen. See those hundreds of names scrolling by? That's the effort it takes to make a living room quality game. Not gonna get that for the price of GTA on Appstore. The only thing viable for big name gaming houses is to produce those high quality experiences is big consoles.

Apple does not even have the living right, even after three iterantions of Apple TV. They need to be on input one and subtly overlaid on the main input like Google TV, not be an after thought on input 2, 3 or 4.
Sony's going to make the same mistake as Apple again on PS4.

Don't compare console games to handheld games. If we were to compare the hardcore games on the AppStore to handheld, iOS is there. Apple TV would tackle home consoles, so...

 

[Gigaman]

With stock price and market share comes developers. Google has the market share and Apple has become the niche market that is depending on iOS growth.
It's happening currently but at a glacial pace in comparison to Android.

Apple doesn't have anything to offer other than speculation in the "real" gaming arena.

Care to elaborate on what Google needs to "fix their stuff"? The fragmentation rant is getting old when Apple just strips features off older iOS devices when a new iOS device ships. It's the same game just "Think Different" and accept it.

Apple should consider scrapping the Jony Ive pastel version of iOS 7.

Give the MacPro users a computer that give some expansion options other than external.

Fix Maps for the world and not a few Markets.

Learn how to put out a WiFi device that doesn't need a "fix" on every product ever introduced.

Learn that December 31st happens every year and get a clock that actually remembers that.

Fix iMessage and iCloud if they can't make a dependable option with WiFi.

Give users the option of a screen that may take advantage of their rumored new gaming arena.

Introduce something to the market that gives users a reason to stay in the walled wilted garden it's created.

But the biggest thing they "need" to do to keep market share is to continue to let Google Apps on iOS. Google has done more for iOS in the last year than Apple has done since the introduction of iOS.

iOS and the iPhone changed the mobile market it just didn't do anything to keep up once they did.

Ask yourself, as Apple has done in their latest brilliant marketing campaign that nobody but an Apple Fan is going to take the time to read.

Does this deserve to exist?

Written by a fan of tech in California. Just don't get what that means to the other US states and the rest of the world but that in itself is another post I'm considering authoring in California.

Wow, congrats on wasting your time.

Tell me how there are more games, exclusives and early releases on the AppStore compared to google play? Those developers shouldn't even be considering the AppStore at the point correct?

It couldn't be any more obvious that you're not a gamer. Fragmentation is a problem. You don't know how many games either don't support certain devices at all or aren't optimized for them (certain elements are missing completely in some cases). Early releases on iOS aren't meant to be that, developers are trying to optimize their games. Exclusives, what exclusives??

And hey, way to NOT talk about games, what these comments and this post is about. I dare you to write up another joke as a response, but at least mention games next time, yeah?

 

[pearvsapple]

Last thing we need is a another generic game console with underwhelming phone specs and flash quality games. Even the upcoming AAA consoles PS4 and XBOX One have jumped ship to x86. #x86isDefiniteStandard

 

[l3g1tn3$$]

Console gaming sucks

The only console i would buy if i had to get at least 1 would be a ps2 just for ratchet and clank, kingdom hearts, and metal gear solid. i have a 360 and compared to pc gaming its terrible. pc gaming is miles better. Consoles are just a waste and are for people who know nothing about gaming or cant afford one (which i understand because a good gaming pc is REALLY expensive)

 

[Tech198]

Apple TV's going off.... and updates...

Some 'hobby' huh..... Maybe its time to finally make Apple TV an actual "not just a hobby" since its clearly not classified to the public as one.

Lets see who wins here though.... I betting Google will bring this out before Apple even decides which way to go here.

But by the asme token, all we've heard are reports saying Apple doing this, but there is no proof of anything....

Maybe Google can run rings around Apple.



Personally ,till this all gets straightened out, may as well build third-party stuff in the Apple TV,....Apple's done this anyway with HBO go, so they may as well go further,....

They will get much better market for this than something "currently in the works" we've heard for yonks...

Just continue with what already can be done.

PS: neat gamepad.