Apple TV: Apple's Gaming Hobby

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

​

Apple is set to launch their 4th-generation Apple TV any day now and the correspondence leading up to it's reveal pushed me to examine the current and future state of traditional consoles. Many thought this device, in combination with Amazon's Fire TV, would be the next step in end of traditional consoles, but I'm not so sure.

How does the MacRumors crew feel about gaming on the new Apple TV? Is it something you're looking forward to checking out? Do you guys have other dedicated gaming boxes in your house? Do you think this is Apple finally entering the multi-billion dollar console business?

https://medium.com/@RomanMF/the-post-console-world-2964460f0fe0

 

[TrueBlou]

Well I've got all 3 current gen consoles, the handhelds (and all of my old "retro" consoles/handhelds) but I'm definitely looking forward to what the Apple TV will bring to the table.

I don't see it as a nail in the coffin for traditional consoles, far from it, certainly for the foreseeable future. But I do think there will be a lot of games for the Apple TV that just wouldn't see the light of day on the dedicated consoles, for many and varied reasons. Much like iOS does now, I see it more as complimentary to my regular gaming systems.

There will be a lot of crap as well of course, but that's also true of every gaming system in history.

 

[2010mini]

Streaming boxes won't replace gaming consoles just like consoles haven't replaced streaming boxes.

The kind of games I believe the Apple TV will get would never be on consoles. I'm looking forward to fun games I can play with my 6 year old.

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

Well I've got all 3 current gen consoles, the handhelds (and all of my old "retro" consoles/handhelds) but I'm definitely looking forward to what the Apple TV will bring to the table.

I don't see it as a nail in the coffin for traditional consoles, far from it, certainly for the foreseeable future. But I do think there will be a lot of games for the Apple TV that just wouldn't see the light of day on the dedicated consoles, for many and varied reasons. Much like iOS does now, I see it more as complimentary to my regular gaming systems.

There will be a lot of crap as well of course, but that's also true of every gaming system in history.

I'm curious as to what kind of games you guys are talking about. Indies have exploded on PS4 and Xbox One is catching up. You're starting to see a lot of smaller titles hit these platforms. You'd be surprised by some of the whacky titles you can find on PS4.

Are you guys excited about the return of motion gaming? Do you think Apple should have put a proper controller in the box like Amazon did?

 

[TrueBlou]

I'm curious as to what kind of games you guys are talking about. Indies have exploded on PS4 and Xbox One is catching up. You're starting to see a lot of smaller titles hit these platforms. You'd be surprised by some of the whacky titles you can find on PS4.

Are you guys excited about the return of motion gaming? Do you think Apple should have put a proper controller in the box like Amazon did?

I wouldn't be surprised at all, I've got a PS4 and Xbox one, but the barrier of entry for Apple products is much lower, they are easy to develop for and there's surprisingly less red tape. So there does tend to be a lot more indie development on Apple devices, as well as the bigger publishers.

Oh, and dear god no, motion controlled gaming should have stayed dead and buried. Well, I suppose it will suffice for simple steering controls and the like and the kids and grannies might like it. But, no, I use a proper controller on my Apple TV. Though I'm happy to try anything that might look interesting I can't see myself using motion control for much other than novelty.

Saying that, I believe the Siri remote actually could do a decent job at being a basic (non motion) controller. If the games needs are simple enough to work around its limitations.

 

[FrederikTK]

I've wanted a gaming console with some light games for a long time, but didn't want to spend the cash for a PS4 or XBone, so I just forgot about it.

The Apple TV looks like exactly what I was looking for, I'm getting one after reviewers make it clear how Siri works in non-supported countries (Can I use US-tvOS Siri in Denmark by setting the language to English?). I'll probably wish for the controller Apple shows on their site for christmas.

Crossy Road, Angry Birds, Beats Sports and such look great, and I'm looking forward to seeing some slightly larger games, maybe some racing games or something like Air Supremacy.

 

[TrueBlou]

Someone mentioned in another thread on here that changing to a Siri supported country worked for them. I forget the thread but a search will find it.

 

[steve-p]

I can't see it replacing my Xbox One anytime soon, unless the games improve significantly compared to the somewhat trivial iOS fare I play on my iPad, which in any case has been mostly ruined by the freemium model. The Xbox is a pretty good media hub too, thanks to already having a wide range of apps for video content, so ATV4 has some catching up to do IMO. I've had every generation of ATV so far, but only use it for occasional Airplay now. ATV4 can't really be expected to compete directly with consoles that have much more power and 1TB storage. I suspect they are probably two different target markets.

 

[steve-p]

Are you guys excited about the return of motion gaming? Do you think Apple should have put a proper controller in the box like Amazon did?

Not especially. And while I prefer the level of fine control that having a proper controller brings, perhaps Apple don't feel that the additional retail cost would be justifiable for the average purchaser, and may not even be necessary without developer support. If Apple are just trying to make a Wii with in app purchases, then they are probably mostly there already.

 

[TH3D4RKKN1GH7]

I've wanted a gaming console with some light games for a long time, but didn't want to spend the cash for a PS4 or XBone, so I just forgot about it.

The Apple TV looks like exactly what I was looking for, I'm getting one after reviewers make it clear how Siri works in non-supported countries (Can I use US-tvOS Siri in Denmark by setting the language to English?). I'll probably wish for the controller Apple shows on their site for christmas.

Crossy Road, Angry Birds, Beats Sports and such look great, and I'm looking forward to seeing some slightly larger games, maybe some racing games or something like Air Supremacy.

You really want to play Angry Birds and Frogger (because that's what that Crossy Road nonsense is ripping off) on your 50" living room TV?

 

[TrueBlou]

You really want to play Angry Birds and Frogger (because that's what that Crossy Road nonsense is ripping off) on your 50" living room TV?

Manticore Rising looks good as does Rayman Adventures. Having played the console Rayman games I'm looking forward to its Apple TV outing which thankfully isn't just an endless runner.
There will be plenty of good games to go along with the casual offerings.

 

[JAT]

Many thought this device, in combination with Amazon's Fire TV, would be the next step in end of traditional consoles, but I'm not so sure.

Only idiots thought that.

 

[TrueBlou]

Only idiots thought that.

Yeah the death of the home console seems to get predicted with monotonous regularity. But it's just not going to happen. Not anytime soon anyway. There's got to be easily 2 or 3 more console generations before that happens.

Even then it'll only happen due to companies like Microsoft and indeed Sony to a slightly lesser degree having the long term goal of being the one box you have for your entertainment needs.

If Apple could play a part in that, well that's anyone's guess. Their products don't currently have anywhere near the power to satisfy those of us who buy the newest consoles. As an extra device with different titles sure, but definitely not replace. But in the future, well anything possible.