Apple Poaching Gaming PR Execs from Activision and Nintendo

[mixel]

Lets be honest, APPLE will never buy Nintendo or Sony. Apple will make them inferior and insignificant. Apple will not create the same games but rather will change gaming. Apple will probably make gaming more interactive and more inclusive.

Make gaming more interactive and inclusive? What?

Sofar Apple have shown no signs of making Nintendo or Sony inferior or insignificant. If they "change gaming" in a linear progression from how they've been doing it so far it would be a MASSIVE regression for gaming. I would not be welcoming them as gaming overlords.

I would say the odds are greater that Sony will buy Nintendo in a desperation move to remain relevant or Sony will get bought out by Microsoft after Apple starts creating televisions. Mark my words, Apple will never buy a bloated and inferior company. To truly believe that makes you a moron.

Agreed, but one could say the same about most of the things you wrote in your post. Sony buy Nintendo? Ummmm.. Sony and Nintendo are pretty relevant outside of blindfolded Mac fan circles.

 

[TheUndertow]

Will never, ever happen. Do some research. Nintendo is based off from Japan, not the USA originally.

And guess who's come back from the dead?

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/04/08/commodore-64-welcome-back-old-friend/?mod=google_news_blog

What goes around, comes around. Apple can stay on for so long and sooner or later, they're bound to fall. They're human and they can't keep it up forever.

EDIT: I meant this http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_TronVideo.aspx

Do some research?.....Hahahahahah.

I meant it a little in jest but i fail to see how Nintendo originating (as a trading card company amongst other things research....) from Japan would make them unable to be purchased by a US based co.

All Im saying is if Nintendo fails (which they were close to not that long ago...Gamecube) I could see their "spot" in people's living room in sync where Apple wants to be.

So far, Apple has had the foresight to anticipate market conditions and supply issues...they keep forward thinking (in process and practice), they'll be hard to beat.

 

[bugfaceuk]

Brilliant! then a family of five can all play scrabble or monopoly for the low low cost of $1,495*



*listed price includes iDevices only. Apple tv required to play. Apple tv, monopoly and scrabble sold separately.

Anyone who buys iOS devices to play Scrabble is an idiot. People who uses their existing iOS devices to play together have a lot of fun.

 

[BrokenChairs]

This shows how much Apple has learned from the past. They will not make the same mistake they did during the Mac vs. PC era by ignoring games. They're throwing the best mobile GPUs into their products and advertising gaming heavily, good for them.

Yes 'games' are what Apple are after. Until they can produce a decent gaming library and convince companies to make Mac versions (at least Blizzard has all this time) I cannot take Apple seriously when it comes to games. What I call gaming is not a 3 minute exercise for fingers swiping across the screen. But if this is a step to increase non-casual games, good luck Apple.

 

[pbh444]

"MCV reports that Apple has poached two major public relations executives from Nintendo and Activision, respectively."


Hoo hah...

This would be a much more important development if Apple had poached head game developers from Nintendo and Activision and not just PR people.

PR people deal with spin and without the quality developers create, spin doesn't mean a thing.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Do some research?.....Hahahahahah.

I meant it a little in jest but i fail to see how Nintendo originating (as a trading card company amongst other things research....) from Japan would make them unable to be purchased by a US based co.

All Im saying is if Nintendo fails (which they were close to not that long ago...Gamecube) I could see their "spot" in people's living room in sync where Apple wants to be.

So far, Apple has had the foresight to anticipate market conditions and supply issues...they keep forward thinking (in process and practice), they'll be hard to beat.

Undertow,

It's simple, really. Apple cannot, by international law, waltz in and buy Nintendo of Japan. They have to get permission from the Japanese government and the US Government so that they are cleared of any monopolistic violations. And it has to be mutually agreed by Nintendo themselves.

Second, it was Nintendo that started the "Blue Ocean" theory that changed gaming in terms of motion control and interactivity. Actually, it was Reggie Fils-Aime, CEO of Nintendo of America division that came up with it and probably presented this idea to his bosses. Regardless, Nintendo of Japan is THE boss of all the divisions.

Nintendo has too much money in their war chest to be bought out. They could, in theory, partner up in a deal to market a product or service. However, Nintendo sees things differently and so does Sony.

And think about this. When Steve drops to the grave, Apple's DNA of 'forward thinking' will falter. It's not so much different when you see the great Roman Empire get eaten up by internal in-fighting from ego and greed after the great Emperor dies, all the while being circled by Visigoths ready to take it down.

 

[*LTD*]

And it still won't work.

Except . . . it is.

The REAL story here isn't whether mobile gaming - the likes of which we see *currently* and the likes of which we will see in the *near future* (this is just the tip of the iceberg) will be a major force in gaming (it already is) but rather, that "hardcore gamers" feel so threatened by this.

And here's an even deeper fear of theirs, buried in the subtext: that in time, console gaming will shift to a touch-based tablet paradigm - possibly not in terms a complete replacement for consoles, but in terms of the way developers (and big-name developers) shift their attention to mobile gaming at the expense of consoles, in order to enjoy possibly far greater profits thanks to a much larger audience. After all, consoles are severely limited in their current state. Gaming and maybe Blu Ray playback. Mobile devices, however, offer a galaxy of possibilities - soon to be indispensable tools for nearly everyone.

Imagine big-name, premier titles appearing on mobile devices first before being ported over to that box you hook up to the TV with the big-button controller that RROD'd just last month?

It's really amusing.

Welcome, gamers.

Seriously.

And think about this. When Steve drops to the grave, Apple's DNA of 'forward thinking' will falter. It's not so much different when you see the great Roman Empire get eaten up by internal in-fighting from ego and greed after the great Emperor dies, all the while being circled by Visigoths ready to take it down.

You mean Microsoft, right? And the interesting part is, Gates is still alive.

 

[xIGmanIx]

Who cares? This is public relations people, something apple already knows how to manipulate. Is nothing to do with advancing their gaming core skills, next

 

[Pilgrim1099]

You mean Microsoft, right? And the interesting part is, Gates is still alive.

Two problems with your pseudo-intellectual response.

1. Gates has retired from Microsoft. Who's running the show now?

2. Who is the sicker of the two? Jobs or Gates?

 

[mixel]

Except . . . it is.

The REAL story here isn't whether mobile gaming - the likes of which we see *currently* and the likes of which we will see in the *near future* (this is just the tip of the iceberg) will be a major force in gaming (it already is) but rather, that "hardcore gamers" feel so threatened by this.

No they don't, they don't see it as a legitimate threat because it has very little industry support. Hardcore gamers would probably welcome a new serious player in the market. Bring it on Apple.. Many of us want buttons but there are good uses for touch screens too. People were the same before Sony AND MS entered the market.. Largely dismissive.

I would be worried if touch was going to "supercede" buttons/sticks/etc, but that is seriously never going to happen. tactile controls are actually more intuitive than remappable non-buttons that work differently for every title.

And here's an even deeper fear of theirs, buried in the subtext: that in time, console gaming will shift to a touch-based tablet paradigm - possibly not in terms a complete replacement for consoles, but in terms of the way developers (and big-name developers) shift their attention to mobile gaming at the expense of consoles, in order to enjoy possibly far greater profits thanks to a much larger audience. After all, consoles are severely limited in their current state. Gaming and maybe Blu Ray playback. Mobile devices, however, offer a galaxy of possibilities - soon to be indispensable tools for nearly everyone.

I don't think anyone's seriously worried about that. It would be a bad thing but i'd not call it threatening. How will they make much larger profits in a market where everything's competing to charge minute amounts? You realise how much money is in the games industry as it is? They've had long enough to start to "shift their attention to mobile gaming at the expense of consoles" - Why isn't there any sign that this is actually happening? At all? Show us the games.. I want them. XD

Imagine big-name, premier titles appearing on mobile devices first before being ported over to that box you hook up to the TV with the big-button controller that RROD'd just last month?

It's really amusing.

Welcome, gamers.

Seriously.

You seem to have no idea how game development works. They aren't going to be building for mobile devices then scaling up to much more powerful home consoles at any point in the foreseeable future.. It would make absolutely NO sense.

There's space in the market for multiple players and various control schemes.

Kinect being the fastest selling consumer electronic device in history tells you a lot about the legitimacy of the non-Apple gaming market. And the crazy sales of the Wii, DS etc. Even the PSP is selling in massive amounts in Japan still. The crazy Apple-centric perspective of so many people here is frustrating. There is more stuff going on in technology than what Apple dictates.

 

[*LTD*]

No they don't, they don't see it as a legitimate threat because it has very little industry support.

Believe this all you want, when a company like Epic sings the praises of iOS you'd best pay attention. It's had great impact on Nintendo's mobile plans and it terrifies Microsoft (who are praying that Xbox Live on WP7 matters to enough people). When mobile gaming (i.e., on the iPad) is making such inroads into mainstream gaming, it's eventually going to have an effect on the way consumers view mainstream console gaming. In fact, this is guaranteed.

You're holding too fast to the separateness of mobile vs. console. Over the next few years you'll see that separateness blur, and probably faster than anyone would have thought. There will be a definite, palpable melding. It's inevitable.

The App Store opened in July 2008. Now look at what we have in April 2011. It's astounding. And we're already trying to get mobile devices to project games onto HD tvs. It's very, very telling. It doesn't matter how successful it is *right now.* (pretty impressive, actually.) The point is, you can see where we're going with it. When Apple says "move over, Xbox!" they aren't being glib or fulsome. It's a portent. Just a taste of what's to come.

A lot of people around these boards have absolutely NO IDEA what Apple is capable of and what they're about to do to yet another industry. Just sit back and watch.

 

[xIGmanIx]

Epic is garbage and their engine is garbage.

 

[*LTD*]

Epic is garbage and their engine is garbage.

Six of one, a half dozen of the other.

Big name is big name.

And yeah, really garbage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games

Pretty impressive, I'd say. But it won't just be Epic. Others are and will follow. Rest assured.

 

[maclaptop]

This shows how much Apple has learned from the past. They will not make the same mistake they did during the Mac vs. PC era by ignoring games. They're throwing the best mobile GPUs into their products and advertising gaming heavily, good for them.

Sometimes Apple is a very slow learner. They finally realize that the harder they go after the kids, the more money their parents will cough up. This is especially crucial as Apple centers its business on entertainment. Hook the little kids on games andthey'll be Apple's new faithful.

Make the interface of the laptops look like iOS, load them with games, and focus on simplification. The kids market is ripe for Apple.

 

[blastvurt]

Believe this all you want, when a company like Epic sings the praises of iOS you'd best pay attention. It's had great impact on Nintendo's mobile plans and it terrifies Microsoft (who are praying that Xbox Live on WP7 matters to enough people). When mobile gaming (i.e., on the iPad) is making such inroads into mainstream gaming, it's eventually going to have an effect on the way consumers view mainstream console gaming. In fact, this is guaranteed.

Mobile gaming has been around for years in the form of handheld consoles. Hasn't really affected consoles that you plug into your TV/monitor.

You're holding too fast to the separateness of mobile vs. console. Over the next few years you'll see that separateness blur, and probably faster than anyone would have thought. There will be a definite, palpable melding. It's inevitable.

How is going to blur?

The App Store opened in July 2008. Now look at what we have in April 2011. It's astounding. And we're already trying to get mobile devices to project games onto HD tvs. It's very, very telling. It doesn't matter how successful it is *right now.* (pretty impressive, actually.) The point is, you can see where we're going with it. When Apple says "move over, Xbox!" they aren't being glib or fulsome. It's a portent. Just a taste of what's to come.

The psp slim & lite can output to a TV. Didn't really do much for PSP sales though. What use is it outputting a game from an ipad to the TV when you have limited control input options. The lack of buttons or real inputs will severely limit the types of games devices like the ipad can do.

A lot of people around these boards have absolutely NO IDEA what Apple is capable of and what they're about to do to yet another industry. Just sit back and watch.

I take it you do then

 

[davelanger]

Ummm.... everyone that's into gaming HATES Activision.

Yeah that is why they have the top selling game on console in COD and the top selling game on PC in WOW

That being said, I would love to see games like the old school RPG FF games or even starcraft type games.
Those would own on the ipads and work pretty well on the iphone/ipods as well

 

[bchreng]

Six of one, a half dozen of the other.

Big name is big name.

And yeah, really garbage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games

Pretty impressive, I'd say. But it won't just be Epic. Others are and will follow. Rest assured.

A remake of their 2D sidesscrollers 'Jill of the Jungle' and Jazz Jackrabbit for iOS would be freaking awesome! I own an iPad 2 as well as a Nintendo DS and can say that my iPad is currently getting way more gaming use. The games are way cheaper, can be just as fun, control just as well, look better and are much easier to lug around.

 

[tigress666]

Yeah that is why they have the top selling game on console in COD and the top selling game on PC in WOW

That being said, I would love to see games like the old school RPG FF games or even starcraft type games.
Those would own on the ipads and work pretty well on the iphone/ipods as well

Uh, they have Final Fantasy 1-III on the iPhone (III is the most expensive game I've seen on the iphone, 16 bux!). I'm working on II right now (then going to try I and got a few more games so waiting for III to be on sale or for when I finish the other games, whichever comes first).

I'm just hoping they eventually get to VII (that they find porting these over to iOS is worth doing more Final Fantasy's on it). Shoot, maybe if they keep going by number, they can get X on an iphone (maybe by that time the hardware will be able to handle that?).

And I'd love to see Lunar Star Story on the iphone. That would be pretty awesome too. Or Breath of Fire IV. There's a ton of old rpgs that would do great on the iphone. And touch screen wouldn't be too bad of an interface for the old style rpgs either. Actually, for old style rpgs, touch screen would have advantages (no scrolling through lists, just pick it out with your finger).

Personally, I'd just be happy with them porting over the popular games to the iphone that are on other platforms. I honestly think for me the iPhone is the best portable player cause it is with me everywhere (so with the amount of games I am finding on it now even I'd probably not be really tempted to buy the other handhelds. The iphone being so portable gives it a major plus compared to the more dedicated handheld game systems. Now a console, that would be different).

I do think that it does have one issue, that since it is my phone as well, it is kind of annoying I have to worry about keeping some battery life so I still have my phone (For example using it on a plane flight I still need to have a usable phone at the end of the flight).

 

[tigress666]

Trying to use a finger controlled touch screen as the new answer to everything, and young people thinking this is right, in a way reminds me of being at work.

No one is saying it is best for everything.

What I am saying is that while it may not be as good as actual buttons, it is still fun even with the virtual joysticks. And honestly, when we're talking handheld games, you already are compromising ease of control for that portability. I've never had a handheld game system that was as ergonomic as a dedicated controller on a console system.

You make compromises for that portability (smaller screen, not as powerful hardware, form of the controller is dictated by the fact it has to accommodate a screen). Of the things I listed right there, the hardware is the one most likely that they can maybe stop compromising on but the other stuff is going to get sacrificed for having a small, all in one, handheld system.

Look, I know what you are saying. I completely agree (I use the same argument why a touchscreen keyboard will not replace an actual physical keyboard. Just cause it is newer tech does not make it better).

But what some of us are saying is that for the advantages (Some of which really have nothing to do with the touchscreen really, like the cheap prices of games on the iphone), the compromise is worth it. I have played games that I will fully agree buttons would be better. But for the fact that I have these games on my iphone that is with me everywhere and is more portable than any of the handhelds I've seen and are cheaper plus I don't have to take a whole bunch of cartridges to have all my games with me, the compromise is worth it. And the virtual joystick and buttons don't ruin my enjoyment of the game (but I agree buttons would make it better).

 

[*LTD*]

Mobile gaming has been around for years in the form of handheld consoles. Hasn't really affected consoles that you plug into your TV/monitor.



How is going to blur?



The psp slim & lite can output to a TV. Didn't really do much for PSP sales though. What use is it outputting a game from an ipad to the TV when you have limited control input options. The lack of buttons or real inputs will severely limit the types of games devices like the ipad can do.



I take it you do then

This is Apple of 2011, and this is the iPad and iOS.

Entirely, entirely different ballgame from any other handheld on the market.

As far as the limits of touch-based gaming goes . . . come back in 2-3 years and *then* keep telling me about limits.

Interesting how Apple is turning non-gamers in to gamers, and we're not hearing about the alleged horrid limits of touch-based gaming.

Yes, and touchscreens on smartphones will *never* replace physical keyboards. We all know how that turned out, right?

Fear of change? It's thick in these forums.

In January 2010 people looked at the iPad and didn't quite understand what was going on. Didn't know where to put it, what category to fit it into. To some it was amusing at best. To others it was ridiculous and redundant. To a few it was total genius.

Today it's a household name and a device millions upon millions of people have and use every day - many of them just average, non tech-savvy folks. And it's the device that drives the post-PC era. And demand by both consumers and developers and content providers is exploding, and will continue unabated for the foreseeable future.

PSP Slim? DS? LOL is all I have to say. Like the Palm Centro and Clié before the iPhone. These aren't even a factor anymore.

 

[AndroidfoLife]

If you are going to buy something to mainly play games on when you are out of the house which one are you going to buy.

Ipod Touch: 230$ USD
Nintendo DS: 130$ USD
PSP: 130$ USD

I think the price of the PSP and DS make them more attractive that and the point they are not an mp3 player that can play touch games.

The iOS devices do not have the hardware that a made for gaming handheld has. a PSP still has better graphics then any iOS game rendered on the spot. The PSP and DS also have a larger advantage...Hard buttons. for real gaming that is a must.

 

[tigress666]

If you are going to buy something to mainly play games on when you are out of the house which one are you going to buy.

Ipod Touch: 230$ USD
Nintendo DS: 130$ USD
PSP: 130$ USD

I think the price of the PSP and DS make them more attractive that and the point they are not an mp3 player that can play touch games.

The iOS devices do not have the hardware that a made for gaming handheld has. a PSP still has better graphics then any iOS game rendered on the spot. The PSP and DS also have a larger advantage...Hard buttons. for real gaming that is a must.

I think the problem Nintendo and Sony will have with iOS/Android devices isn't people picking one or the other. It's the fact that the iOS/Android devices are getting so ubiquitous, they have to compete more with, "Do I get the PSP/DS on top of this phone I already have that I can get games cheaper on? Sure, they are better suited, but 1. I already have this device 2. games are cheaper 3. This device is more portable and can go with me more places 4. I wouldn't have to carry around two devices if I wanted to game somewhere."

Basically, Nintendo and Sony have to have advantages that make up for the advantages some one would see in just using the smart phone they already have. And part of the problem is that you are starting to see some of the same games on the smart phone. Or at least similar enough games that you may not need to get that DS or PSP if you want to play something similar. Sure, there are compromises, but for some people (like me), the compromises are worth it and it's not worthy buying a whole 'nother device.

Sure, you'll get some hard core gamers that don't want to compromise, but the question is, are they enough of a market to keep the non smartphone handhelds afloat? I think for the sake of us who do want to compromise, we should probably hope, cause for new games that is where the money is (notice most of the games that are not "angry birds" or freemium gams on the iOS are ports over from the handhelds. Though iOS is starting to see some original games made just for it too, Chaos Rings or Eternal Legacy anyone?).

So, the threat isn't choosing between the two devices, the threat is that smart phones are becoming so common, they have to convince people that it is worth buying their handheld device *as well* as the smartphone the person already has.

I will agree that consoles have nothing to worry about (but they didn't have anything to worry about from any handheld, they are not really competing in the same market at all).

 

[bchreng]

If you are going to buy something to mainly play games on when you are out of the house which one are you going to buy.

Ipod Touch: 230$ USD
Nintendo DS: 130$ USD
PSP: 130$ USD

I think the price of the PSP and DS make them more attractive that and the point they are not an mp3 player that can play touch games.

The iOS devices do not have the hardware that a made for gaming handheld has. a PSP still has better graphics then any iOS game rendered on the spot. The PSP and DS also have a larger advantage...Hard buttons. for real gaming that is a must.

Love how you left out the 3DS for $250.

 

[tigress666]

Honestly, I think what will be a major deciding factor on how well the iphone/android does against dedicated handhelds is how many developers decide to also put their games on the iphone/android as well as how many very good and unique to the handheld game the handhelds get (basically can these people deciding if they are also going to buy a handheld on top of their smartphone still play the games they want on their smartphone even if it isn't as good as an experience on the hand held? I think many people might decide it's not worth buying that extra handheld long as they can get the games they want to play on the device they already have. And that there aren't games that entice them to get the handheld that they can't get on their smartphone).

I don't think a 3D screen is going to make a big difference more than just game availability (for example the 3d screen is neat to look at, but I wouldn't buy the 3Ds for that. I'm more likely to be enticed by the new Sony hand held coming out as I suspect it more likely will attract the games I want to play. So far I'm less than impressed with the games out on the 3Ds. And I know I"m very disappointed in the type of games Nintendo tends to attract. My mom gave me her wii and I still haven't found a game I want to buy for it ). I think having some really good games that you can't get on the smartphones will be what convinces people that it is worth it to buy that extra device.

But in the end, when talking about gaming systems, it doesn't matter how good your hardware is, the most important deciding factor is games available. You could have the best hardware in the world, the best designed controller, the prettiest screen, but it won't amount to a hill of beans if you can't attract a good amount of *good* games.

 

[blastvurt]

This is Apple of 2011, and this is the iPad and iOS.

Entirely, entirely different ballgame from any other handheld on the market.

Your right, it is a entirely different ballgame, other handhelds are dedicated for gaming, the ipad and iphone is not.

As far as the limits of touch-based gaming goes . . . come back in 2-3 years and *then* keep telling me about limits.

There are limits to touch based gaming and always will be

The same way the Xbox 360 controller is more limited than the PS3 controller with 6 axis

The same way the Wii controller is limited at with many types of games compared to the Xbox 360 and PS3 conventional button based controllers

Interesting how Apple is turning non-gamers in to gamers, and we're not hearing about the alleged horrid limits of touch-based gaming.

Sort of like what Nintendo did with the Wii. With its excellent libary of good games, oh wait it has a few good games and a large amount of shovelware. Compare that to something like the PS3 or XBOX 360, a lot of good games and some shovelware

Yes, and touchscreens on smartphones will *never* replace physical keyboards. We all know how that turned out, right?

Yes we have, they haven't replaced physical keyboards. They may have become more popular than keyboard based devices, but keyboard based phones are still released.

Fear of change? It's thick in these forums.

There is good change, bad change and what many people want on here change for the sake of change

In January 2010 people looked at the iPad and didn't quite understand what was going on. Didn't know where to put it, what category to fit it into. To some it was amusing at best. To others it was ridiculous and redundant. To a few it was total genius.

Considering tablets had been around for many years before the ipad but never really made it into the consumer realm. It is understandable why many would assume it a failure.

Many people on here are more tech minded, something like the ipad would not look like a successful product due to its limited capabilities, compared to what they want from a device

Today it's a household name and a device millions upon millions of people have and use every day - many of them just average, non tech-savvy folks. And it's the device that drives the post-PC era. And demand by both consumers and developers and content providers is exploding, and will continue unabated for the foreseeable future.

Ipad is for general consumers, the same way the netbook was. Good for consumption of the web, ebooks etc (better than the netbook for ebooks and reading due to form factor). Limited uses for real work though.

PSP Slim? DS? LOL is all I have to say. Like the Palm Centro and Clié before the iPhone. These aren't even a factor anymore.

Your right they are not factors anymore. It is now 3DS, PSP NGP, HP veer and Pre 3.

Today iphone tomorrow something else. There is nothing stopping Apple from failing. It is sheer blind stupidity to think they can't fail and that they will always be successful.