With all these different type of rumors floating around I'd say WWDC12 is going to be very interesting.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Visits Headquarters of Video Game Firm Valve
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I agree. The job postings, the source of the tweets (Jeri Ellsworth) and the Apple visit sure make me think this is not a new gaming platform, but some kind of accessory.
I've been wrong before!
B
Tomorrow's headline will read...
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes a smelly dump.
Apple fanbois will rejoice.
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes a smelly dump.
Apple fanbois will rejoice.
Dang, I know Cook is the CEO and all, but I don't think they even followed SJ around like this. It's kind of creepy to think that reporters would be waiting for you to leave the building.
That's on par with Kardashian and Obama
That's on par with Kardashian and Obama
Well the problem is that the Apple TV is not powerful enough to run major games. It is only made to play videos and do simple user interactions and networking. Not to mention there would need to be some kind of controller other than an Apple remote. I don't think that this exact thing would be a possibility, but an Apple console would be very BA
I meant to say an apple televistion set but ya.
Valve is building hardware that works with ARM devices. I'd bet money they're making an iPhone controller and then releasing compatible games.
And then make it run Windows seeing as most the games on Steam use direct x and various other Windows components.
Oh and add a nice nvidia graphics card to power all the games. This Apple TV will be mega expansive.
It would most likely cost like a gaming console, if it's one. Traditional consoles extended to the media center role, it makes sense that a very successful media center tries to extend to the gaming console market.
The Xbox too started with 0 market share with fierce competitors already in place. Microsoft took the loss for many years until it got profitable. Apple has a lot to leverage to make it work too and they definately have money to invest. Given their experience with handheld devices they also would have no issue in developing a portable gaming console, if they deem a specialized device worth the effort in spite of iPad & company.
This could mean a large number of things. None of us are likely going to guess the real reason he was at Valve HQ...but its fun to try!
Here's my guesses:
1. Apple are (obviously) not happy about having Steam on the mac as it = lower game sales on the Mac App Store. Maybe they were looking at offering an incentive to Valve for basically making purchasing run through the MAS while keeping the existing Steam app for community stuff. Obviously valve would likely deny as it would mess up everything for Windows, which is their biggest market.
2. Apple want Valve to work close at improving graphics performance. Valve are well known as being quite simply the best at high graphic productions and making them work seamlessly across multiple platforms and a large number of graphics cards - maybe Apple want them to help craft a better way of getting the best graphics on macs.
3. Valve Games on iOS? This is the least likely result for me as its not practical - all decent FPS games need a controller of sorts. You've only got to look at the crap FPS games on the App Store to see this.
4. A games console? No, just...no. Think where Apple has been going, a console isn't something we'll see. Now, that being said, I wouldn't put it past them to have an App store on the Apple TV, however even with that they are very limited (graphically) on what can be done. Maybe they want Valve to work at porting the source engine (thus all source based games) to ARM for iOS 6 usage on a future Apple TV.
5. On the other hand it could be something rather dull, like Half Life 3 being an exclusive Mac release for X months.
Ok, I'm out of ideas
Here's my guesses:
1. Apple are (obviously) not happy about having Steam on the mac as it = lower game sales on the Mac App Store. Maybe they were looking at offering an incentive to Valve for basically making purchasing run through the MAS while keeping the existing Steam app for community stuff. Obviously valve would likely deny as it would mess up everything for Windows, which is their biggest market.
2. Apple want Valve to work close at improving graphics performance. Valve are well known as being quite simply the best at high graphic productions and making them work seamlessly across multiple platforms and a large number of graphics cards - maybe Apple want them to help craft a better way of getting the best graphics on macs.
3. Valve Games on iOS? This is the least likely result for me as its not practical - all decent FPS games need a controller of sorts. You've only got to look at the crap FPS games on the App Store to see this.
4. A games console? No, just...no. Think where Apple has been going, a console isn't something we'll see. Now, that being said, I wouldn't put it past them to have an App store on the Apple TV, however even with that they are very limited (graphically) on what can be done. Maybe they want Valve to work at porting the source engine (thus all source based games) to ARM for iOS 6 usage on a future Apple TV.
5. On the other hand it could be something rather dull, like Half Life 3 being an exclusive Mac release for X months.
Ok, I'm out of ideas
PRO Gaming - on the mac. I want.
The only major thing I dislike about apple is there are no good games to play on it (save for blizzard titles). Those .99¢ offerings in the app store dont cut it.
I want big title games.
Mass Effect level stuff.
Make it happen Cook!
The only major thing I dislike about apple is there are no good games to play on it (save for blizzard titles). Those .99¢ offerings in the app store dont cut it.
I want big title games.
Mass Effect level stuff.
Make it happen Cook!
Valve could help, but they would need something to sweeten the deal. I would also argue with your point that they are best at "high graphic productions". Id, Epic Games and Crytek all have better graphic engines than anything Valve has right now.
Valve understood the importance of digital distribution and sale pricing before anyone else. It really is my gaming platform of choice. The fact that they support the Macintosh is really awesome. Aside from AAA+ titles coming out on or near the launch date of the PC versions, you also get a TON of nice Mac compatible indie games now. On top of THAT, some older Mac indie titles like Avernum are available on the platform.
It'd say they've done more than Apple, in some respects, for Mac gaming.
It'd say they've done more than Apple, in some respects, for Mac gaming.
I've done it, so there isn't a general problem... you should contact support (if you've first disabled your firewall and checked your proxy setting and all the usual stuff).
Oh, c'mon! This is what this forum is FOR! Blowing all things Apple out of proportion! I'll start ...
How about the Mac App Store and Steam merging their catalogues? It certainly seems that Valve has expertise in bringing games to the Mac platform that even Apple doesn't have.