I can not believe, or even dare to believe, that Apple would enter this generation of the home games console market. I also think they'd be foolish to believe they could go up against Nintendo in the handheld market. No one has been successful so far. I can't see how it could be a sensable financial move, if they want to move in to more markets there are far better ones out there and I'm sure they could even create at least one new market themselves before we see anything like this.
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Apple Video Game Console?
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It's been done.
Apple has been there, done that. Pippin, anyone? Doubt they'd get back in this late in the game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin
http://www.macgeek.org/museum/pippin/
Apple has been there, done that. Pippin, anyone? Doubt they'd get back in this late in the game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin
http://www.macgeek.org/museum/pippin/
I just don't see anything of that magnitude coming out of Apple in the near future. They would either have to team up with an existing console producer since it is already the beginning of the 7th generation.
If anything I think Apple would be better off investing their resources into iPod game functionality and OS X gaming tools such as APIs, Toolsets, etc.. Moving into semi-unfamiliar territory as a bad idea.
If anything I think Apple would be better off investing their resources into iPod game functionality and OS X gaming tools such as APIs, Toolsets, etc.. Moving into semi-unfamiliar territory as a bad idea.
If there's anything that Apple has been, for the last 2 years, it is "prudent." Riding a wave of profitability stemming from the iPods and it's "halo" effect on Macs, we're seeing Apple in a good position right now.
Why ruin that right now? Development costs for consoles are astronomical, in this day and age. It's not a core competancy for Apple's business at all, and - at that - a stretch. It's also not a profitability model they're familiar with and they do not have the software network nor the industry expertise to attempt a foray into the field.
The closest they can do is partner with an existing vendor, but that has its own issues and dilutes from the brand image - one of the strongest points thus far with the company.
I say "nay."
Why ruin that right now? Development costs for consoles are astronomical, in this day and age. It's not a core competancy for Apple's business at all, and - at that - a stretch. It's also not a profitability model they're familiar with and they do not have the software network nor the industry expertise to attempt a foray into the field.
The closest they can do is partner with an existing vendor, but that has its own issues and dilutes from the brand image - one of the strongest points thus far with the company.
I say "nay."
Nope, not going to happen...I see the addition of more game developers as a progression of the iPhone and iPod games. I think that when the iPhone comes out, it will support all of the iPod games that are available on the iTunes store. The idea of playing them through an iTV is kinda cute, but definitely just a novelty and most people will ignore the feature.
Apple does not need to ruin their image with a stupid video game system. As if we need more of these. Besides, what would Apple bring to the table that the other systems don't? There's already plenty of games and gaming systems out there, Apple does not need to touch this one. However, I'm looking forward to the iTV thing.
The most I see coming is the expansion of the iTunes games store to include first-party Apple titles that are playable on the iPod, iPhone, and iTV.
One thing I could imagine Apple trying is using the iTV as a game (as well as video) streaming device. You could play small, simple pick up and play games on your TV for a few minutes. Games along the line of Chu Chu Rocket, or things you'd see in Bishi Bashi games, only more stylish. Doesn't the Xbox 360 have little games like this? I've never played one.
The problem I see is that the game market is over saturated as is. Especailly with Nintendo seemingly revitalized in popularity with the Wii really starting to take off. Then you have the XBox 360, which Microsoft will fund forever.
The PS3 is off to a slow start, but by the time Apple could really mobilize into the game industry, the PS3 will be cheaper, have its userbase going, and have a wider variety of software as well.
A Nintendo-Apple alliance would be nice ... but honestly I think the question is, how does that really benefit Nintendo? Especailly since they're a notoriously controlling company (as is Apple). I don't think it would work. If Nintendo wanted to do things like a set-top box version of the Wii or a Wii 2 in the future with say TV recording functions and music playback, they could do that themselves. The Wii already can (or will) do things like have a weather channel, news channel, display digital camera photos, surf the internet, send/recieve e-mail, etc. So even Nintendo has eased off their "game-only" approach of the past.
If Apple wants to focus on something, IMO, it should be towards making the Mac Mini that really interfaces with your television and can do things like record TV right out of the box, with a stylish design and an affordable price.
The PS3 is off to a slow start, but by the time Apple could really mobilize into the game industry, the PS3 will be cheaper, have its userbase going, and have a wider variety of software as well.
A Nintendo-Apple alliance would be nice ... but honestly I think the question is, how does that really benefit Nintendo? Especailly since they're a notoriously controlling company (as is Apple). I don't think it would work. If Nintendo wanted to do things like a set-top box version of the Wii or a Wii 2 in the future with say TV recording functions and music playback, they could do that themselves. The Wii already can (or will) do things like have a weather channel, news channel, display digital camera photos, surf the internet, send/recieve e-mail, etc. So even Nintendo has eased off their "game-only" approach of the past.
If Apple wants to focus on something, IMO, it should be towards making the Mac Mini that really interfaces with your television and can do things like record TV right out of the box, with a stylish design and an affordable price.
Has anyone considered that maybe the "iTV" or whatever it might end up being called could play host to some games? Maybe Apple is looking at adding some simple games functionality to the iTV much like they have the iPod. Sure it wouldn't compete with MS/Sony/Nintendo, but it adds value to the iTV device.
Not gonna happen. The Pippin was an experience bitter enough...unless Apple buys cheapo Nintendo, of course...
yeah, i just don't see this happening. i don't think Apple could compete with the ones that are already there, but microsoft did it, so maybe Apple can too. i would love for them to try
This is what I'm seeing -- most-likely games for iTV, which would be way cool.
No way would Apple put out a console of their own now, in this climate.
Man... I don't even remember the Pippin! Must have mind-wiped that out of my head years ago. Then again, I haven't owned a console since ColecoVision! I DO plan to get the iTV, though -- and would probably download some games from iTunes if I was able to stream them over to my TV.
Good stereotype attempt, but nope. I'm really not interested in the gaming scene (other than a tom clancey ehre and there), and i have no preference. My statement was just based of sales/reviews. And I'd like to keep the PS3/Xbox 360 discussion out of here, so I appologize for offending anyone.
Sure, it always makes sense to keep tabs on potential opportunities.
But Sony has all of the mindshare, and MS has all the software (Windows and DirectX) and the premier online gaming platform. Apple would have do something improbably amazing to knock either one off their pedestal, let alone both.
Apple's model doesn't fit with the industry either: Apple likes to make fat margins on hardware by bundling killer software. Video game consoles are the opposite: sell the hardware at a loss and recoup on licensing fees.
The Xbox business unit isn't even profitable yet -- but it's getting there. I don't think Apple has the capital to mess around with this market yet.
On top of all that, the 360 already demonstrates a lot of the design elements that Apple is known for. The hardware has clean lines and is uncluttered. The hard drive clips into the top -- no cables required. The interface is clean and easy to use. It connects to other computers on your network to play back music and videos without any hassle. The online gaming is easy and seamless with the rest of the system. I don't know how Apple would make it's mark on consumers who already have a 360.
Sorry, but I fail to see how Blu-Ray and iTV are rivals? I have a Blu-Ray player and I still have need for iTV or similar capabilities.
There are games for OSX. The mac mini is perfectly positioned in the minds of many here as a set top box for their tv.
Why not make something that is a computer, media centre, DVR, and games console for light gamers? I don't think development costs would be too huge. How expensive would it be to put a couple of extra ports, design a controller and decide on what graphics chip to put in. Voila a console/media centre launches with a decent catalogue of games already in existence and a substantial number of people already owning games that might tempt them to pick one up.
Nintendo has shown that not everyone needs the latest technology.
I might be wrong, but it doesn't seem too technically difficult to me
Edit: why not run with a dvd and wait out until hd-dvd or bluray wins out and then release an external that sits under it? The system could develop with changing needs
Why not make something that is a computer, media centre, DVR, and games console for light gamers? I don't think development costs would be too huge. How expensive would it be to put a couple of extra ports, design a controller and decide on what graphics chip to put in. Voila a console/media centre launches with a decent catalogue of games already in existence and a substantial number of people already owning games that might tempt them to pick one up.
Nintendo has shown that not everyone needs the latest technology.
I might be wrong, but it doesn't seem too technically difficult to me
Edit: why not run with a dvd and wait out until hd-dvd or bluray wins out and then release an external that sits under it? The system could develop with changing needs
I agree, way way to late to this party. Apple does have a huge problem though and thats its lack of video card options for all its products. Though they might be in the process of changing this because for the first time ever they offer a videocard upgrade for iMac. Apple needs to focus on two things to support its computer lines. One is the Videocard. This is the gaming generation and having such sorry videochips in so many products without options is almost inexcusable. The other is not getting TV into Macs. These are two big problems for Apple.
Who would have thought Apple would ever resorted to boot camp? Gaming on Macs would be nearly dead without it. Aspyr is even making PC games now so what does that say about Mac ports? MacOs gaming is in the process of drying up it seems. Brought on by Apple itself.
I dont think we will ever see Apple in the console market because its saturated by Nintendo,Sony and Microsoft who still isnt making anything on it as far as I know. A better route is to focus on PC/Mac gaming on its current hardware. Give better video options, get behind PC gaming for its Macs. PC gaming is superior to the consoles and Apple should embrace it, not run it off.
Apple entering the console gaming market is as stupid as Apple entering the cell phone market. For the same reasons.
Both markets are heavily saturated with competition and established names. The lions share of profits are made in both markets not by the actual hardware, but in accessories and service to the hardware. (games and control pads for consoles, airtime and chargers for cell phones)
iTV is a stupid idea, too. People have tried for years to stick a computer on a TV set. People in general just aren't interested. Why do I want a iTV when my current $99 DVD player can play anything I can burn to a disk, and my FREE DirecTV box has built in TiVO?
Yes, a box that sits on your TV that connects to your LAN has a certain geek appeal.. but I doubt it has much chance at large scale commercial success.. not when for the cost of a blank DVD-R I can burn anything on my computer to media my $99 DVD player can play.
Both markets are heavily saturated with competition and established names. The lions share of profits are made in both markets not by the actual hardware, but in accessories and service to the hardware. (games and control pads for consoles, airtime and chargers for cell phones)
iTV is a stupid idea, too. People have tried for years to stick a computer on a TV set. People in general just aren't interested. Why do I want a iTV when my current $99 DVD player can play anything I can burn to a disk, and my FREE DirecTV box has built in TiVO?
Yes, a box that sits on your TV that connects to your LAN has a certain geek appeal.. but I doubt it has much chance at large scale commercial success.. not when for the cost of a blank DVD-R I can burn anything on my computer to media my $99 DVD player can play.
That is exactly what OS X needs: a proper Gaming API akin to DirectX, along with proper controller support OpenGL just doesn't cut it; run a non-ported game like WoW in OS X and WoW in Bootcamp, and Bootcamp will definitely be faster.
But Apple simply doesn't care about mac gaming. I can only see them expanding their iPod games, especially when the iPhone and fullscreen iPod comes out.
This gen is an open race. Any of the 3 consoles has a good chance to win, although I would say Nintendo has the advantage because it appeals to people that would have not got a games machine before.