Apple Has No Plans for Dedicated iOS Gaming Controller

[gorskiegangsta]

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 it's in their interest to do so. Apple cannot come out with an official statement to debunk every ridiculous rumor put forth by "analysts" and reporters' favorite "sources familiar with the matter". Having people like Dalrymple and Gruber casually "leak" information allows Apple to control the media coverage and expectations.

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

Well, the response "Nope" from Jim usually (actually always) means that that particular claim ain't happening.

"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 already has a software controller app called "Remote". It'd be fairly easy to add another "controller/gamepad" interface to that, should the new "Apple TV with apps" ever need that.

 

[DrStern]

Not surprised at all. In fact, I would have been shocked if Apple had actually been working on a controller for iOS. It doesn't fit their business model or their philosophy. Releasing this as a new product during this cycle would have been worse then releasing no new products, as it would have fanned the flames of those who believe Apple's capacity for innovation died with Steve Jobs.

A controller aparatus is a dead end. Beyond the modest margins in the hardware, there is no ongoing revenue streams to be derived from producing one. On the other hand, if they allow third parties to create their own controllers, Apple still collects 30% on whatever games they sell to play with those controllers, without the development and tooling costs.

This idea should have been a non-starter to begin with, and I'm glad to see that it apparently was.

 

[Menneisyys2]

This is typically the kind of thing, like cases, that Apple leaves to third parties.

In this particular case, producing a decent, quality controller would be a godsend. With a case, "incompatibility" is only an issue when you would like to dock iDevices in a case. With game controllers, however, there are no true standards. It's only lately that most controllers started supporting the iCade mode. Too bad it's only digital; that is, it doesn't support analogue controls at all. Analogue emulation has only recently been added to the JB-only "BluTrol" and it's still pretty bad with iControlPad (one of the third-party controllers with analogue nubs in addition to traditional digital D-pads).

An Apple controller with both digital and analogue controls and a utility built into iOS allowing for mapping even the analogue controls on legacy apps would be a godsend. (Again, apart from the new and pretty flaky BluTrol, this is in no way supported. Particularly not on a non-JB'n device.) Of course we won't ever see such a thing.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Just let us use our ps3 or Xbox controllers. The ps3 works great already on the Mac.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Apple already has a software controller app called "Remote". It'd be fairly easy to add another "controller/gamepad" interface to that, should the new "Apple TV with apps" ever need that.

Too bad touch will never be as good as a physical controller, no matter what Apple states. No wonder there is a plethora of third-party hardware controllers for iOS too, with BluTrol adding support for even controllers like the WiiMote.

 

[Daws001]

Boo. Oh well.

 

[tipp]

How about a controller API in iOS 7?

He only refuted that Apple would release an official controller. It would make much more sense for Apple to add an official controller API to iOS 7 and make money off MFi controllers made by third parties to an official specification.

 

[APlotdevice]

Not surprised at all. In fact, I would have been shocked if Apple had actually been working on a controller for iOS. It doesn't fit their business model or their philosophy. Releasing this as a new product during this cycle would have been worse then releasing no new products, as it would have fanned the flames of those who believe Apple's capacity for innovation died with Steve Jobs.

A controller aparatus is a dead end. Beyond the modest margins in the hardware, there is no ongoing revenue streams to be derived from producing one. On the other hand, if they allow third parties to create their own controllers, Apple still collects 30% on whatever games they sell to play with those controllers, without the development and tooling costs.

This idea should have been a non-starter to begin with, and I'm glad to see that it apparently was.

30% on $20-30 games would be a lot more than 30% on $2-3 games. And that's what a game controller with the full backing of Apple could actually attract. Touch controls for the most part only attract casual gamers, who don't really want to pay all that much for their games, and hacked in third party controllers don't sell in great enough numbers to attract majors developers.

 

[gorskiegangsta]

The desktop is where a Game controller is needed.

A. There are, and have been for a number of years, joysticks/gamepads/controllers for "PCs". Companies like Logitech and Razer have been there for over 5 yrs, and Dualshock3 and the Xbox360 Controller have been compatible with quite a few PC/cross-platform games.

B. Most dedicated/hardcore gamers will not trade the keyboard/mouse for a less accurate joystick/gamepad anyway.

 

[DrStern]

30% on $20-30 games would be a lot more than 30% on $2-3 games. And that's what a game controller with the full backing of Apple could actually attract. Touch controls for the most part only attract casual gamers, who don't really want to pay all that much for their games, and hacked in third party controllers don't sell in great enough numbers to attract majors developers.

A couple of points about this argument are questionable:
1. $20-30 games would produce significantly more revenue for Apple than $2-3 games only if they sell the more expensive games in volume that is significantly greater than a tenth the volume of $2-3 games sold. I haven't studied the market, but my expectation that doing so would reveal that there are about 10 times as many casual game players willing to part with small sums than there are serious gamers willing to pay considerably more.

2. I'm not sure why a generic controller designed and produced by Apple would be capable of much more than a third party controller designed by a company that is dedicated to gaming platforms, which could be designed with that company's products in mind.

Clearly there is a market for serious gaming products - but compared to the market for Apple computing, media, and communications products, it is a niche market. There is no compelling reason for Apple to dive into a niche market, and plenty of reason for them not to do so.

 

[Swordylove]

I don't get people would want gaming controller for tablets and smartphones. If you're that 'serious' in gaming, go get a console, a laptop, or a desktop. Using gaming controller for tablets/smartphones are just ridiculous (except for the built-in ones like Xperia Play).

If Apple wants to make one, it makes more sense to make for the Macs first (or one that is compatible for both Macs and iOS).

 

[gorskiegangsta]

Too bad touch will never be as good as a physical controller, no matter what Apple states. No wonder there is a plethora of third-party hardware controllers for iOS too, with BluTrol adding support for even controllers like the WiiMote.

Depends on the type of game. In first person shooters - perhaps. In casual games/platformers/racers touch screen/accelerometer/gyro work very well, in my experience. As of now, most of the current physical 3rd party controllers are quite expensive, mediocre-performing, have bad ergonomics, and are only compatible with a handful of games.
To remedy this, all Apple has to do is develop the extended Bluetooth/controller API and open it to the developers. I, personally, would not mind propping an iPad on the table, grabbing a physical 3rd party controller and playing a game every now and then, provided that the controller is compatible with most games. I wouldn't even mind beaming the game from the iOS device to the Apple TV via Airplay and relax on my couch while using that controller.

Anyhow, we can all dream, can't we?

 

[SockRolid]

Nope.

Good.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Do they need too? I mean wouldn't they only need to make an app?

 

[Menneisyys2]

I don't get people would want gaming controller for tablets and smartphones. If you're that 'serious' in gaming, go get a console, a laptop, or a desktop.

One word: Convergence.

Using gaming controller for tablets/smartphones are just ridiculous (except for the built-in ones like Xperia Play).

In YOUR opinion. Anyone that loves playing games requiring anything like a digital / analogue D-pad completely disagrees with you.

 

[Weegee1]

It doesn't seem like Apple would do this, but 3rd-party controller support in a universal way would be great, ESPECIALLY for the Apple TV if it were to have the App Store.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Do they need too? I mean wouldn't they only need to make an app?

Basically, with the availability of several quality third-party controllers like the iCade (digital only), the Gameloft one (digital + analog) and the iControlPad (digital + analog),

- a screen mapper utility like BluTrol for existing, legacy games without even support for the (digital-only) iCade AND

- an API for future games AND for current hardware (iCade, iControlPad (including supporting the analogue nubs) etc.)

would be the best way to go.

Of course I know it'll never happen.

 

[Weegee1]

I don't get people would want gaming controller for tablets and smartphones. If you're that 'serious' in gaming, go get a console, a laptop, or a desktop.

You can't play something like Super Mario Bros on an iPhone and expect precision. Platform jumpers and shooters that aren't that "serious" would work well on an iPad if it were to have a controller. Every good Nintendo portable game uses buttons.

Gaming laptops are ridiculous, especially if they're water-cooled. What, so you can play WoW and CoD at the same time on super high graphics at Starbucks?

 

[Menneisyys2]

Clearly there is a market for serious gaming products - but compared to the market for Apple computing, media, and communications products, it is a niche market. There is no compelling reason for Apple to dive into a niche market, and plenty of reason for them not to do so.

At least they could come up with something like BluTrol. Currently the only way of adding HW controller support for legacy games (or, for that matter, ANY game with some non-iOS-native controllers like the WiiMote) is jailbreaking and purchasing & configuring BluTrol.

For me, BluTrol is one of the reasons I jailbreak (the other, most important one is F.lux - another area Apple has severely failed).

If only Apple provided something similar built into iOS...

 

[Madmic23]

I think that Nintendo should partner with Apple to make an iOS controller that works with all of our iDevices as well as AppleTVs. You'd be able to purchase Nintendo games from the App Store, but you'd need the controller to play them. That way, Nintendo would still get their hardware cut that they need.

Maybe just make an official Nintendo app with classic games available as in app purchases, and all of the games can be air played to AppleTV.

Sure, this will probably never happen, but it would probably be the best thing to help Nintendo's sales.

 

[DrStern]

At least they could come up with something like BluTrol. Currently the only way of adding HW controller support for legacy games (or, for that matter, ANY game with some non-iOS-native controllers like the WiiMote) is jailbreaking and purchasing & configuring BluTrol.

For me, BluTrol is one of the reasons I jailbreak (the other, most important one is F.lux - another area Apple has severely failed).

If only Apple provided something similar built into iOS...

I think it would be a good idea for Apple to cooperate with third parties who want to plug into their interface with hardware extensions. I know they do that for some products. Unless there is some security or dependability risk I don't know about. Apple should not compromise on security or expose their products to uses beyond their specs. Those are about the only two areas where they have an unbeatable edge over their competition (especially security.) Beyond that, I don't know enough about gaming or BluTrol to argue either way. I don't jailbreak, because security is top priority for my phone and the way I use it. But I know plenty of people who do, mostly for valid reasons.

 

[Menneisyys2]

I think it would be a good idea for Apple to cooperate with third parties who want to plug into their interface with hardware extensions. I know they do that for some products. Unless there is some security or dependability risk I don't know about. Apple should not compromise on security or expose their products to uses beyond their specs. Those are about the only two areas where they have an unbeatable edge over their competition (especially security.) Beyond that, I don't know enough about gaming or BluTrol to argue either way. I don't jailbreak, because security is top priority for my phone and the way I use it. But I know plenty of people who do, mostly for valid reasons.

Yup - I don't think including a BluTrol-alike in iOS would compromise the system in any way, particularly if they "only" support controllers (also) supporting the HID mode, that is, ruling out e.g. the WiiMote controller. (BluTrol uses BTstack, an entirely independent Bluetooth stack, for supportingin WiiMote and some other non-iOS-native, non-HID controllers.)

After all, BT is secure as long as you don't pair with unknown devices.

Then, they could still support even the analogue mode of the iCP, as the iCP also supports analogue control over HID.

 

[B777Forevar]

Why bother making a controller anyway?

The "games" on iOS aren't really games at all apart form the Final Fantasy and GTA ports.

You want handheld gaming, go get a 3DS or Vita.

 

[Cod3rror]

A shame.

An officially supported controller, even if not from Apple themselves, could do wonders for taking iOS devices from being great casual/touch-focused gaming devices to serious rivals for many of the large multi-platform releases.

As it is, it's somewhat hobbled by being touch-only or a patchy list of devs trying to support numerous attempts at physical controls that aren't really worthwhile until one gains enough users to be worth developers' time…

I feel like Apple have have never really got games or gamers, and what success they do have on iOS is despite of them rather than because of them.

I agree with those saying Apple should/could require touch controls as the baseline minimum, whilst still doing more to support physical solutions. It's like one line in an updated app store agreement for devs, and bundling support for a (what would be a presumably very grateful and enthusiastic) partner of their choice for an officially-sanctioned 'made for iOS' bluetooth controller.

I agree,

It would've been great if Apple released an official controller. It'd give developers a reference hardware to design their games for.

Games keep improving but the touch controls for games are as bad as ever.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Why bother making a controller anyway?

The "games" on iOS aren't really games at all apart form the Final Fantasy and GTA ports.

You want handheld gaming, go get a 3DS or Vita.

1. Again: one word: convergence. You have your iPhone always with you. Dedicated game consoles, on the other hand, are another gadget to carry around.

2. many games on iOS are of very high quality.