Apple TV Games Must Work With Apple TV Remote, May Not Require External Controller

Mac21ND said:
Do other "game" consoles require this? It doesn't seem that unreasonable to assume PS or xBox require's support of their own native controllers.
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No. PS and XBOX don't require a game to be playable with their original(main controller). They have Kinect or PS Move. What do you think if a game such as Dance Central, EA Sport active, etc need to be playable with xbox controller to play the game? Those games need to use Kinect to play, and there is no way the controller can remake the experience. There is a limit on what TV remote can do. There are a lot of good game that possible to be ported to TV but limited with what the remote can do.
 
Mac21ND said:
Do other "game" consoles require this? It doesn't seem that unreasonable to assume PS or xBox require's support of their own native controllers.
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Nope, the other two major set top boxes that I know of that provide gaming capabilities (Fire TV and Shield) don't do this as well. The Shield includes a game controller so it's a moot point there but the Fire TV sells an official controller as an additional accessory. There are games that only work with the controller (it's indicated in the game info page when viewing it) and if you launch them with no controller connected it'll give you an alert before launching that there's no controller detected.
 
jdillings said:
Good move that doesn't force consumers to buy third party stuff just to play games.
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Well that's an ignorant statement. Nobody is forced to do anything. Apple could easily have an indicator on the Apple TV App Store that makes it OBVIOUS a remote is required for any specific game. But all this does is dramatically hold back what developers can do with the platform. Which is sad, because the hardware is REALLY GOOD for gaming, other than the controller. And yes, the included controller will work OK or maybe even well for some games, bur all you have to do is look at it and understand how it works (which is obvious, there is no new tech here) to know how poorly it will do for many games -- MORE POORLY than the touchscreen on the iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. At least with those you can see where virtual buttons are located. On this thing, all you have is one black touch-sensitive surface. And do you think Apple will let developers use the default buttons for anything other than their default purposes? NO WAY. So really, this remote offers one button only, in a slightly reliable, ergonomic sense.

Suckage, plain and simple.

And if you can't afford an external $50 controller for a $150 game console, sorry -- but why hold back the rest of us who would gladly make that investment, for 100 times the options in games, on perfectly capable hardware???
 
This maybe a death kneel for real gaming on the Apple TV ... there is no way hard core games would work well with the Apple TV controller. Perhaps Apple should just bundle a game controller instead and charge another $20 - 30?

mabell11 said:
A developer could create a free game that requires a $50 controller to play, essentially bypassing Apple's purchase structure.
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Apple should have just mandated Apple MFi support - I believe the control scheme on MFi control pads are standardized.
 
PrimeMatrix said:
fantastic Response, of which I agree 100% All in due time.
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While I'm disappointed by this immediate move by Apple, I would have to agree with both of you that retarding the process of rolling out certain types of applications (and that's a totally acceptable use of the word "retarding" btw, so nobody give me any crap!) would fit the Apple play book perfectly, and that in time they likely will expand what developers can do with the platform.
 
darcyf said:
Do the vast majority of iPhone owners use it to take photos every second of every day?

Yes.

Are there more powerful cameras out there that can take better photos?

Yes.

Do the vast majority of iPhone owners care?

No.

Will the Apple TV's remote will be just fine for the vast majority of people to game with.

YUP.
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Last I checked the controls for taking a picture a quite similar between an iPhone and high end DSLR.

I suggest you have a look at the ps4 controller and Apple TV remote, is there an issue in terms of gaming : YUP
 
wigby said:
Why does it have to be one or the other when Apple specifically says it can be both? Every game i've ever played has a control scheme setting. Simply choose either the Siri remote or the 3rd party gamepad of your choice. Done.
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You're just not getting this, are you, wigby?

If Apple says all games must work with the included remote...

And some types of games really just wouldn't work on that type of controller, at all...

Then developers won't create those types of games at all for this platform, whether or not perfectly capable gaming controllers are available that adhere to the Apple-mandated MFi program (which controller manufacturers have to pay Apple to be in, mind you).
 
This makes sense from apple. It's a TV that can support some games, and I say some as the remote limits what will work. If you want to game on a TV get a console, if you want to entertain kids with simple games, the Apple TV can deliver.
 
Interesting. I'm not sure I think Apple should make that stipulation. Rather I think they should have made some certification process for accessories (similar to MFI certification), or Apple should make a couple extra controllers themselves and require games to work with any of those.

Or just allow wii controllers to pair with the Apple TV over bluetooth like I occasionally do on my mac ;)
 
sudo1996 said:
Those people would definitely choose one of the three mainstream consoles over an Apple TV with a controller. Everyone else would probably find an iPad or iPhone more suitable than an Apple TV for games.
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That's because there are no games yet for the Apple TV. If enough game developers show up and ship decent product, that middle area, between casual games and hard-core games, might be a very strong industry growth segment. There are people who want more than a minute of casual challenge, want to play on a big screen, but don't want to spend hours leveling up on a dedicated box.
 
MH01 said:
This makes sense from apple. It's a TV that can support some games, and I say some as the remote limits what will work. If you want to game on a TV get a console, if you want to entertain kids with simple games, the Apple TV can deliver.
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It's also something that they may change as the platform develops. I would bet in time we will see changes to the rule as the platform grown and changes.
 
wigby said:
Compared to Android, iOS gaming is far superior. Compared to a dedicated portable gaming platform, iOS can hold its own but isn't really competing against those either.
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How is iOS gaming far superior to android? Of the good titles, I see on both platforms, for the endless crap, as in number of games , who cares...

also you cannot hold your own against a platform you are not competing against . Hint : issue yet again lies in not having the same controls.
 
snowmoon said:
It's also something that they may change as the platform develops. I would bet in time we will see changes to the rule as the platform grown and changes.
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Agreed, it's early stages and if there is enough demand, Apple might even bring out a dedicated gaming controller for the Apple TV.

A dedicated Apple controller would open up the possibilities for the type of games that developers can bring to the TV.
 
MacRumors said:
Apple's choice to require support for the Apple TV is not surprising, as it also has the same requirements for iOS devices
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The difference is developers already have a strong incentive to write games for iOS which doesn't exist for tvOS: the user base. Also the fact that iOS devices are handheld and therefore less suitable for normal controllers.

Also, as a result of that policy, how widespread is controller support for iOS games?

Where's that American singer when you need her?
 
brentsg said:
I'm not surprised, but that kills any interest I have in the gaming aspects.

After waiting for a new ATV for years, I'm planning to stick with my existing ones for now. The apps will have to be pretty good for me to upgrade b/c the gaming aspect isn't anything I'm interested in at all.
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Don't lie.
 
I don't know if anyone that is commenting realizes this, but the touchpad can convert to a d-pad for games. In that instance, you gain a d-pad and 2 buttons (mapped to A and X) as well as accelerometer input. Yes, it is limiting, but it is also not unheard of (NES, not including the accelerometer). Apple does not require that you support all functionality of extended controllers on the Siri Remote, but that a game is playable with it.
 
APlotdevice said:
No, it would be like Nintendo publishing games for the Wii that required the Classic Controller. Which they did, and addressed by simply including a warning in the menu.

The fact of the matter is that complex games would be difficult if not impossible to control with this remote. It's not like a touch screen where you can just add buttons as necessary.
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Apple has been sued left and right for saying games with IAP are "free" even though it clearly states the IAP cost money

Nintendo is a small startup company compare to Apple
 
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