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Do you think Apple will ever make a Video game Console?

LimeiBook86

LimeiBook86

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 4, 2002
8,003
54
Go Vegan
I have herd a lot of things about Apple and Nintendo "joining" togeather and making games (yeah right:rolleyes: ) But do you think Apple will ever make a gaming system? Think of it! A huge Apple case with a DVD player, FireWire ports for system to system networking, and an ethernet port to connect to your Mac, come on Microsoft did it (XBOX) Why can't we!? I think the memory cards should be shaped like the original iBooks, and they should be Key Lime (LOL) ;)
 
Apple won't make the same mistake as M$.
M$ failed with delivering a game console.

It would be better for Apple if they would make an agreement with nintendo en sony to port the games to the mac.
 
Yup

Which is what they're most likely doing, anyone here even read the article about EverQuest being ported to mac, or consider that apple listened to peoples complaints that they're weren't enough mainstream games for the mac? They're signing deals with games companies, such as nintendo, to have games ported to mac :) .


It will be a great day in the universe when I can beat the **** out of my friend in Super Smash Bros. Meele over a LAN. Ohhh, so sweet...
 
The market is too cramped now....... they'd be no point in Apple even considering it.......

Why not just make the Mac the best gaming platform out there...... :) ;) :D
 
What more can you do to a gaming console other than up the hardware now anyway? If you add too much, it won't be a gaming console anymore but a computer wannabe...so all consoles compete on an available games basis as the hardware all ends up similar..
 
My theory has always been that Apple will not make a game console of their own but would likely put together a box based on the Nintendo Gamecube. I believe Apple gave the motherboard design for the Gamecube to Nintendo. Notice the small MB of the Gamecube along with ATI video card. In Japan Panasonic was allowed to release a Gamecube compatible machine called the Q which also played DVDs as well as Nintendo Gamecube games. Why aren't they selling it in the US? Other than being funky looking, which could be remedied for the US market, they could have sold decently here. My guess is Apple signed an agreement with Nintendo that they would be the ones to release a combo unit of sorts in the US and Europe. Probably would sell it in Japan too.

Think about it. A tivo like device that plays DVDs as well as Gamecube games. Nintendo just released their Wavebird wireless controllers as well. It could be wirelessly controlled. Maybe the unit will debut when Nintendo starts selling the modem and broadband addons for their gamecube. Then thre could be mucho Gamecube networks galore. The Apple set-top unit would be just fine with a G3 processor in there to handle the Gamecube as well handle the tivo and DVD playing.

Its all speculation right now on my part, but it would be pretty cool.
 
I doubt Apple will ever release a console in a market like this, even if they joined with Nintendo. First, like iGAV mentioned, there hasn't been more competition in the VG market for a long time. Second, Nintendo has to sell their consoles at a horrific loss so that they can hope to make money by selling games and accessories and Apple wouldn't be able to afford that AND do its regular R&D for the mac and all the iGadgets it's going to be releasing (Apparently, it's costing M$ 2 billion a year to keep the xbox on the market--Apple has only about $3 billion in cash and marketable securities). Third, selling a console at below cost will go against Apple's tendency of selling quality equipment at a premium and finally, Apple was REALLY badly burned by its collaboration with Bandai to make the Pippin and I doubt they'll try that again anytime soon in this kind of an economy.
 
Originally posted by topicolo
I doubt Apple will ever release a console in a market like this, even if they joined with Nintendo. First, like iGAV mentioned, there hasn't been more competition in the VG market for a long time. Second, Nintendo has to sell their consoles at a horrific loss so that they can hope to make money by selling games and accessories and Apple wouldn't be able to afford that AND do its regular R&D for the mac and all the iGadgets it's going to be releasing (Apparently, it's costing M$ 2 billion a year to keep the xbox on the market--Apple has only about $3 billion in cash and marketable securities). Third, selling a console at below cost will go against Apple's tendency of selling quality equipment at a premium and finally, Apple was REALLY badly burned by its collaboration with Bandai to make the Pippin and I doubt they'll try that again anytime soon in this kind of an economy.
Click to expand...

Uh sorry Nintendo does not take a horrific loss on the hardware. Xbox does yes.
Some have even said that Nintendo is at the point of break even on their gamecube hardware. Even if not they are no where taking horrific losses. Sony and Nintendo would like you to believe that.
Their financial numbers always show the profit is huge. Especially with Nintendo who is only a video game company.

http://www.tomshardware.com/smoke/99q3/990917/

See the link for them talking about Sony making a profit on the hardware.

Here is one on Nintendo:
http://www.consolewire.com/news/item.asp?nid=1372

Apple does not have to lose any money since they will be adding on features others don't have.
But as alawys its just speculation.
 
ibox

yeah, they make a 16 bit console and price it at $299...over charge everyone as usual with old tech...
 
Originally posted by synergy


Uh sorry Nintendo does not take a horrific loss on the hardware. Xbox does yes.
Some have even said that Nintendo is at the point of break even on their gamecube hardware. Even if not they are no where taking horrific losses. Sony and Nintendo would like you to believe that.
Their financial numbers always show the profit is huge. Especially with Nintendo who is only a video game company.

http://www.tomshardware.com/smoke/99q3/990917/

See the link for them talking about Sony making a profit on the hardware.

Here is one on Nintendo:
http://www.consolewire.com/news/item.asp?nid=1372

Apple does not have to lose any money since they will be adding on features others don't have.
But as alawys its just speculation.
Click to expand...

1) the first link is over 3 YEARS old, the info is completely outdated. Here's some info from an (albeit) less old source that says that at $350 per console, Sony was losing $50-$100 on each console sold. With its price now down to $199, the PS2 would theoretically be eating $200-$350 into Sony's wallets per console. Let's say that manufacturing efficiencies reduce this by 3/4, then Sony would still be losing $50-$87.5 per console, which would be a loss of up to 43% PER CONSOLE!!! Granted, Sony made money in their games division, but that's only because they have a huge library of established, good games making money for them through licensing that any apple console would not have upon introduction and may not have until it has been out for 2 years or longer, if ever.

2) As for the Nintendo link, the Merrill Lynch analyst estimated that Nintendo was losing $20/per machine BEFORE 6.6.2001 (date of the article), when the gamecube's price was $199. Now that it has dropped to $149, each gamecube should be costing Nintendo $70, which is a 47% loss per console.

Well, these financial numbers don't seem to show that the profit is "huge." Also, by adding more features, Apple will have to increase prices, which moves the Apple console beyond the acceptable price range for a gaming system, which means much fewer sales.

The best price range is the $149-$199 range we're in right now, as it is shown by the 131% spike in sales of the XBOX after its price slash click here
 
Geez Lime, you're kidding, aren't you?

I remember when the Pippin reared it's little head - backed by Bandai. Basically, a cut-down PowerPC 603 with a CD-Rom drive. See how old that technology is?!?

With the way games are coming along in leaps and bounds now, I honestly cannot see the point in committing to a certain kind of hardware as a standalone games device. Look at the Xbox - I can guarantee that it's technology is already rendered obsolete, and next year sales will have dropped considerably if MS don't upgrade the internals (or lose out from software companies on decent ports of games).

Sony's and Nintendo's success is solely due to the software companies swinging their weight behind the consoles. It's what killed the Atari Jaguar, the Panasonic 3DO, the Amiga 32, and the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast. And, of course, Pippin.

Apple computer users are having a hard enough time as it is getting games. I doubt whether that would change with the advent of a Mac Gaming Console.

Sorry... :(
 
A friend: Will, what's this?
Me: It's a porno box.
A friend: But isn't this made by apple.
Me: Yes
A friend: So why are you using such an expesive gaming console to store porno.
Me: Haven't you heard? Apple gives you the best experience :D
 
iginally posted by topicolo [/i]


1) the first link is over 3 YEARS old, the info is completely outdated. Here's some info from an (albeit) less old source that says that at $350 per console, Sony was losing $50-$100 on each console sold. With its price now down to $199, the PS2 would theoretically be eating $200-$350 into Sony's wallets per console. Let's say that manufacturing efficiencies reduce this by 3/4, then Sony would still be losing $50-$87.5 per console, which would be a loss of up to 43% PER CONSOLE!!! Granted, Sony made money in their games division, but that's only because they have a huge library of established, good games making money for them through licensing that any apple console would not have upon introduction and may not have until it has been out for 2 years or longer, if ever.

2) As for the Nintendo link, the Merrill Lynch analyst estimated that Nintendo was losing $20/per machine BEFORE 6.6.2001 (date of the article), when the gamecube's price was $199. Now that it has dropped to $149, each gamecube should be costing Nintendo $70, which is a 47% loss per console.

Well, these financial numbers don't seem to show that the profit is "huge." Also, by adding more features, Apple will have to increase prices, which moves the Apple console beyond the acceptable price range for a gaming system, which means much fewer sales.

The best price range is the $149-$199 range we're in right now, as it is shown by the 131% spike in sales of the XBOX after its price slash click here [/QUOTE]


Regardless they are not taking horrific losses on the units. Yes Merrill Lynch speculated at about 20 dollars loss at the 199 price point, but with Nintendo coming towards break even within 6 months. Guess what, 6+ months passed.
As well those are estimates based on Merrill Lynch's guesses. More likley both Nintendo and Sony are making money of the hardware right now. Albeit not a whole lot. The myth that they lose money on it or lose a lot of money on the hardware is simply not true.

You also look at this device that is proposed as a video game console. It is not and neither does Microsoft want it to be in the future. The gaming aspect is just a small part. The hardware has already been subsidized previously. The MB design from the G4 Cube would work fine. Apple then needs the software to make a Tivo like device. You only need one motherboard to handle it all. The Gamecube is a modified PPC and ATI video card. To handle DVD playback and video game capabilities would not cost that much more since its an all in one unit.
 
Originally posted by kiwi_the_iwik
Geez Lime, you're kidding, aren't you?

I remember when the Pippin reared it's little head - backed by Bandai. Basically, a cut-down PowerPC 603 with a CD-Rom drive. See how old that technology is?!?

With the way games are coming along in leaps and bounds now, I honestly cannot see the point in committing to a certain kind of hardware as a standalone games device. Look at the Xbox - I can guarantee that it's technology is already rendered obsolete, and next year sales will have dropped considerably if MS don't upgrade the internals (or lose out from software companies on decent ports of games).

Sony's and Nintendo's success is solely due to the software companies swinging their weight behind the consoles. It's what killed the Atari Jaguar, the Panasonic 3DO, the Amiga 32, and the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast. And, of course, Pippin.
Click to expand...

Did the Pippin ever see the light of day? I thought it was a concept piece that Apple killed when times got tough?

As for the Xbox being obsolete it is if you are looking at it as a PC. Its not a PC though. If Microsoft were to update the hardware in anyway they would screw over early adopters as well as developers of the games themselves who might then have to write two different versions of the game. They won't do that unless they are really stupid. The reason the hardware console gets the developer support and for such a long time is that the developers don't have much of a moving target with regards to the hardware like they do on the PC side. Being purely for gaming, game makers make the most money from game sales for consoles as well. You can't view a console with the same category as the desktop computer because they are not the same. Xbox in terms of console is the most powerful of the three consoles thought their lack of developer support is really what hurts them.
 
I think it would be awesome. They have the know how to push something like that now. Back then Pippen didn't do well. But as we all know, Atari failed at making it in the hardware console business later, apple failed at newton. I Think the market is ripe enough for them to give it another try in the next set of consoles. It is WAY to late now, but an apple console with a decent processor (Power4 processor perhaps) could do some good stuff I think. Just my 2 cents.:)
 
Originally posted by synergy
iginally posted by topicolo [/i]


1) the first link is over 3 YEARS old, the info is completely outdated. Here's some info from an (albeit) less old source that says that at $350 per console, Sony was losing $50-$100 on each console sold. With its price now down to $199, the PS2 would theoretically be eating $200-$350 into Sony's wallets per console. Let's say that manufacturing efficiencies reduce this by 3/4, then Sony would still be losing $50-$87.5 per console, which would be a loss of up to 43% PER CONSOLE!!! Granted, Sony made money in their games division, but that's only because they have a huge library of established, good games making money for them through licensing that any apple console would not have upon introduction and may not have until it has been out for 2 years or longer, if ever.

2) As for the Nintendo link, the Merrill Lynch analyst estimated that Nintendo was losing $20/per machine BEFORE 6.6.2001 (date of the article), when the gamecube's price was $199. Now that it has dropped to $149, each gamecube should be costing Nintendo $70, which is a 47% loss per console.

Well, these financial numbers don't seem to show that the profit is "huge." Also, by adding more features, Apple will have to increase prices, which moves the Apple console beyond the acceptable price range for a gaming system, which means much fewer sales.

The best price range is the $149-$199 range we're in right now, as it is shown by the 131% spike in sales of the XBOX after its price slash click here
Click to expand...



Regardless they are not taking horrific losses on the units. Yes Merrill Lynch speculated at about 20 dollars loss at the 199 price point, but with Nintendo coming towards break even within 6 months. Guess what, 6+ months passed.
As well those are estimates based on Merrill Lynch's guesses. More likley both Nintendo and Sony are making money of the hardware right now. Albeit not a whole lot. The myth that they lose money on it or lose a lot of money on the hardware is simply not true.

You also look at this device that is proposed as a video game console. It is not and neither does Microsoft want it to be in the future. The gaming aspect is just a small part. The hardware has already been subsidized previously. The MB design from the G4 Cube would work fine. Apple then needs the software to make a Tivo like device. You only need one motherboard to handle it all. The Gamecube is a modified PPC and ATI video card. To handle DVD playback and video game capabilities would not cost that much more since its an all in one unit. [/QUOTE]



--------------------


Actually, I think you forgot about the little news article that said that sony can now combine the Emotion Engine Processor and Graphics Synthesizer chips together into one chip, so they are actually developing a smaller, at less of a loss, if they are taking any loss at all, here is the link.

http://www.games-chart.com/news_7_4_02_ps2shrunk.html



Honey I Shrunk Your PS2 7th April 2002


Sony may try shrinking the size of their top selling console, let's hope they shrink the price as well


A new manufacturing process will allow Sony to cut the number and size of the chips needed to power your beloved black box.


Ken Kutaragi, President of Sony Computer Entertainment, revealed that it is now possible to put both the Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer onto one chip, reducing the cost and size of the components used in the PS2. This may lead to even cheaper PS2's and a possible cosmetic change a' la PSOne fingers crossed.

Source: Gamespot.com (US)
 
Most recent I've heard is that after they got the Graphics Synthesizer and Emotion Engine on the same die, Sony were making decent money on the PS2 at $299, and the price drop to $199 put them in break-even/small-profit territory.
 
Originally posted by topicolo


1) the first link is over 3 YEARS old, the info is completely outdated. Here's some info from an (albeit) less old source that says that at $350 per console, Sony was losing $50-$100 on each console sold. With its price now down to $199, the PS2 would theoretically be eating $200-$350 into Sony's wallets per console. Let's say that manufacturing efficiencies reduce this by 3/4, then Sony would still be losing $50-$87.5 per console, which would be a loss of up to 43% PER CONSOLE!!! Granted, Sony made money in their games division, but that's only because they have a huge library of established, good games making money for them through licensing that any apple console would not have upon introduction and may not have until it has been out for 2 years or longer, if ever.

2) As for the Nintendo link, the Merrill Lynch analyst estimated that Nintendo was losing $20/per machine BEFORE 6.6.2001 (date of the article), when the gamecube's price was $199. Now that it has dropped to $149, each gamecube should be costing Nintendo $70, which is a 47% loss per console.

Well, these financial numbers don't seem to show that the profit is "huge." Also, by adding more features, Apple will have to increase prices, which moves the Apple console beyond the acceptable price range for a gaming system, which means much fewer sales.

The best price range is the $149-$199 range we're in right now, as it is shown by the 131% spike in sales of the XBOX after its price slash click here
Click to expand...


uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Sony managed to combine the Emotion Engine and graphics Synthesizer into one piece of silicon. This saved A LOT OF MONEY for Sony. MS are the only ones losing money on their console thats because they can afford to do that. And, Do you really think nintendo is losing money on GameCube??? SERIOUSLY??? i mean for gods sake, that thig costs them like $50 to make, look at the components, how expensive does it look liek to you???
 
M@iginally posted by topicolo [/i]


1) the first link is over 3 YEARS old, the info is completely outdated. Here's some info from an (albeit) less old source that says that at $350 per console, Sony was losing $50-$100 on each console sold. With its price now down to $199, the PS2 would theoretically be eating $200-$350 into Sony's wallets per console. Let's say that manufacturing efficiencies reduce this by 3/4, then Sony would still be losing $50-$87.5 per console, which would be a loss of up to 43% PER CONSOLE!!! Granted, Sony made money in their games division, but that's only because they have a huge library of established, good games making money for them through licensing that any apple console would not have upon introduction and may not have until it has been out for 2 years or longer, if ever.

2) As for the Nintendo link, the Merrill Lynch analyst estimated that Nintendo was losing $20/per machine BEFORE 6.6.2001 (date of the article), when the gamecube's price was $199. Now that it has dropped to $149, each gamecube should be costing Nintendo $70, which is a 47% loss per console.

Well, these financial numbers don't seem to show that the profit is "huge." Also, by adding more features, Apple will have to increase prices, which moves the Apple console beyond the acceptable price range for a gaming system, which means much fewer sales.

The best price range is the $149-$199 range we're in right now, as it is shown by the 131% spike in sales of the XBOX after its price slash click here [/QUOTE]

SO YEAH!..........what he said. :p
 
Re: Do you think Apple will ever make a Video game Console?

Originally posted by LimeiBook86
I have herd a lot of things about Apple and Nintendo "joining" togeather and making games (yeah right:rolleyes: ) But do you think Apple will ever make a gaming system? Think of it! A huge Apple case with a DVD player, FireWire ports for system to system networking, and an ethernet port to connect to your Mac, come on Microsoft did it (XBOX) Why can't we!? I think the memory cards should be shaped like the original iBooks, and they should be Key Lime (LOL) ;)
Click to expand...

IF THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE MARKET AND APPLE HAS THE MONEY FOR R AND D

APPLE IS ONLY ONE COMPANY SO ITS HARD TO get into everything

if apple was like ibm, then they could have all those employees and vast resources but being many times smaller, its hard for apple to enter other markets
 
Pippen

It seems to me that the console was sold very briefly in Japan and there were something like three titles available including a Mobile Suit Gundam game. You may remember the QuickTime video preview of that.
 
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