Apple TV as a gaming solution.

[TrueBlou]

When you stick a DVD into a BD player, the content is still 480p. Doesn't matter how much lipstick your BD player tries to put on it, it's still a pig.

Do you now understand it?



None of them are going to be even remotely close to what you can get with a dedicated box, not even maybe.



Thank you for sharing that you don't understand the issue of content vs. hardware outputs.

Your extensive development experience will of course differ to mine, but in my time developing for iOS devices I have learned that they are more than capable of outputting a game at 1080p.

Will they always? of course not. Do the Xbone and PS4 always output 1080p? Hells NO. Did the PS3 and Xbox 360, which the ATV is closer in power to, output 1080p often? No, hardly ever.

No-one is suggesting that an A8 powered Apple device is in any way going to challenge the current crop of consoles on a visual level, just not possible in any way shape or form. But the A8 is still an extremely capable chip that punches well above it's weight, it's not only a strong number cruncher, it has a relatively good GPU for such a small packaged device.

Given the right content, visual style, and a careful and considered approach to development and particularly rendering optimisation, outputting any type of game on an iOS, or TVos device at a native 1080p is not only theoretically possible. It's in fact a reality.

You don't have to take anyones word for it. Even without development knowledge, or knowing a single line of Objective-C or Swift. You can download both 2D and 3D sample apps direct from Apple, fire them up in Xcode and run them on your device. Then you can play about with some numbers and find that rendering well above 1080p is a reality.

 

[ravenvii]

*looks at lame debate over graphics*

Whatever, you know what I'm looking forward to? GTA 3, GTA: Vice City and GTA: San Andreas on the Apple TV. That would kick ass (especially since I haven't played the latter two yet).

 

[ctyrider]

None of them are going to be even remotely close to what you can get with a dedicated box, not even maybe.

Depends on "dedicated box". If you're comparing ATV4 to Nintendo Wii - ATV4 games will be as good or better. A8 is roughly 3x times as powerful as Wii PowerPC CPU, and it's advantage in GPU power is even larger.

Oh and your previous comment that "ATV4 has less resolution than a wii" is nonsense too.

 

[Snoopy4]

And you have evidence that the Apple TV is taking non 1080P content and up-scaling it?

Welcome to ignore along with your buddies who don't know what they are talking about.

 

[T5BRICK]

Welcome to ignore along with your buddies who don't know what they are talking about.

Says the person comparing up-scaling a DVD to 1080p to the asset resolution.

Have fun living in your world of ignorance!

 

[redman042]

I spent a week with my extended family over Thanksgiving, and we had an ATV4 and an original Wii hooked up to the same TV for the kids to play on together. They picked whatever they wanted to play. I'd estimate the ATV4 and the Wii were each being used about 50% of the time. The kids loved both of them. The Wii is currently much better for multiplayer and motion games. I have not explored multiplayer on the ATV4 and from what I understand it is inconsistently implemented. I don't have two controllers. Of course the game library is quite small too. But the kids were loving Alto's Adventure, Lumino City, 10 Pin Shuffle, and Beat Sports. Beat Sports is the only motion game I have, and it's better than I expected (but motion control is not at the same level as a Wii).

 

[gkarris]

Figures come with an iOS code card to play on iOS devices, but it's like a scaled down version, that doesn't incorporate the physical components. It's decent, it looks great, but it's not the whole experience. Now with the Apple TV 4th Gen having the full game: the main platform (connects via USB), figures, and based on how nicely the "lite" version looks on iOS, I'd expect the ATV4 version to look pretty solid. It's A8 powered, decent GPU, and I'm sure it's close the either of the previous gen consoles (PS3/X360) in terms of graphic fidelity.

???

The AppleTV 4 has only a USB-C port to be used only for servicing.

The DI platform will be a special version made only for AppleTV 4 and connect BT. More money for Disney and Apple.

OP - I was gonna post my review of the AppleTV 4 as a gaming console in the Consoles thread here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-micro-console-news-reviews-thread.1722830/

FYI - it is not really a "console" I'm finding out about these. It is really an Apple Media/App player and in no way compares to a dedicated games console.

 

[remmealaska]

"Oh, and emulating the full SNES, NES, Sega and Arcade libraries."

Do you do this on the Apple TV 4? If so, how?

 

[rolsskk]

"Oh, and emulating the full SNES, NES, Sega and Arcade libraries."

Do you do this on the Apple TV 4? If so, how?

Yes. Google it, there are videos out on Youtube that walk you through it.

 

[Coffee50]

Does anyone know if the Apple TV version of Disney Infinity is available without the controller?

I already the controllers, & I'm just seeing the starter set bundle w/ controller. (I've also only seen this bundle at apple stores, so assuming it's not avail other retailers??)

Just checking to see if there's any way to purchase an apple tv base separately.

 

[D.T.]

The AppleTV 4 has only a USB-C port to be used only for servicing.

The DI platform will be a special version made only for AppleTV 4 and connect BT.

Oh yeah, I totally forgot the ATV4 doesn't have a USB for general purpose, that's pretty slick it connects via BT!

Thanks for the clarification

 

[ErikGrim]

When you stick a DVD into a BD player, the content is still 480p. Doesn't matter how much lipstick your BD player tries to put on it, it's still a pig.

Do you now understand it?

You clearly have no understanding of it either. There are no upscaling done by the Apple TV in games whatsoever. Everything runs at native resolution.

 

[ErikGrim]

"Oh, and emulating the full SNES, NES, Sega and Arcade libraries."

Do you do this on the Apple TV 4? If so, how?

There is a thread right on these very boards that will walk you through it.

 

[ErikGrim]

Does anyone know if the Apple TV version of Disney Infinity is available without the controller?

Just buy it from the App Store?

 

[andyp350]

It's basically iOS gaming on a larger screen. If you and your children are used to console gaming (xbox/playstation/wii etc) then it really won't compare to the sort of games they are used to playing.
If all they play and are used to playing are iOS games on the iPad then they'll probably enjoy playing them on a big screen, but it definitely isn't a viable replacement for a proper games console, or even a handheld gaming console like the 3DS/Vita.