Google Working on Game Console to Compete with Future Apple Gaming Threat

[Westside guy]

I love my Apple TV, but opening it up to third-party developers would make it really awesome. And while the focus here is on games, I think I'd be more excited to see what else they could come up with.

I'd love to get a Plex client on the thing - iTunes sharing works okay, but Plex just provides a better experience.

 

[sinsin07]

As would I. Mobile games have a completely different purpose than traditional games. They are best utilized as "time wasters".

I think a better phrase would be "mind numbing".

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That may be so, but he is right nonetheless. Apple has the entire ecosystem thing covered-- they make it look easy compared to the clunky interfaces Sony and Microsoft have been choking up for their multimedia experiences.

Throw some more horse power (and honestly, how simple would that be?) and solid gaming APIs into an Apple TV, and suddenly Xbox and Playstaion will be struggling to keep their heads above water.

I have two apple TV and a google TV. Nothing really special about any of them in regard to the interface. On a gaming console big deal about the interface, gamers want to get to the game. Console gamers spend little time on the interface.

 

[qtx43]

...I'm sure no company wants Apple to be able to offer up another product like the iPad, which had no viable competitors and has been a runaway success. If Apple releases a watch or a gaming console, it's better for companies like Google to have a similar product at the ready rather than letting Apple snap up market share like crazy while they work to develop something that can't possibly be as good because Apple has a head start.

I can't see Apple doing that though, what do they need another device for? Just improve their existing products, add controllers etc. Well, time will tell.

 

[i-think]

I imagine that although the games won't be like Angry Birds, games that are popular will build solid reputations in the same manner as Plants vs Zombies, Temple Run, and other indie titles that have met great success. I don't see success, distribution, or publicity being a big problem considering the demand for high quality, deeper gaming experiences which will be in demand for the living room.

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Good thing nobody suggested that was the case. At all. They're talking about the Apple TV being utilized as for games. Just as the iPhone became a gaming tool by default once the App Store was released.

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Um, I'm pretty sure Apple invented gaming, so I don't know what you're talking about.

Filmantopia, you are either to naive or too young (or both) - no offense intended - and you probably did not understand my point.

 

[sinsin07]

No thanks. I don't bother with iOS games on my iPhone or iPad, so I certainly wouldn't play them on a TV. I'll take $60 consoles games any day.

Me too!!!!

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Apple TV 4 with A7X chip here we come

How many TFLOPS does the A7X have?

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.

Haha you think iOS games and ps3 and Xbox games are in the same level? Haha, cute.

These are probably the older folks who either were never into gaming, never mastered gaming, can no longer afford to buy 60 games, or have no time do to "family". LOL

Me, I will continue gaming with my grandson until my fingers are too stiff to move LOL.

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Sony fanboys and Ms fanboys are already hard to handle, Apple fanboys are going to be unbearable in the gaming community. God help us.

+100

Truer words never spoken.

 

[kuwxman]

The Nexus Q WAS released. It was just such a massive failure it may have seemed like it wasn't. As we speak, it is still listed on the Play Store website but just says it isn't for sale anymore.

 

[sinsin07]

Snip...Um, I'm pretty sure Apple invented gaming, so I don't know what you're talking about.

I hope you were joking, other wise put your keyboard and mouse to better use and do google search.

 

[oiuh151]

Another flop from Google, nothing to see here.

 

[donutbagel]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

What, is there anything to invent to make games work on an Apple TV? It's a concept that's been in action since the 70s and hasn't changed much. You attach a controller with buttons to a regular computer and get people who make games.

 

[dampfnudel]

That may be so, but he is right nonetheless. Apple has the entire ecosystem thing covered-- they make it look easy compared to the clunky interfaces Sony and Microsoft have been choking up for their multimedia experiences.

Throw some more horse power (and honestly, how simple would that be?) and solid gaming APIs into an Apple TV, and suddenly Xbox and Playstaion will be struggling to keep their heads above water. Who's going to ignore a $99 box with all kinds of great features, massive and proven ecosystem, a beautiful interface, and a massive list of games from some brilliant developers, vying specifically for big screen, living room-experience games. Not to mention a first-class controller that's already in your pocket.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/23/4258272/apple-tim-cook-teases-exciting-new-product-category

iPlay coming???

 

[donutbagel]

I'm gonna tell ya right now: if Apple does this and goes all in, we can basically say goodbye to cable as we know it. No coax. No "recording". It'll be more of an iTunes on demand style, with additional bells and whistles, and ads of course.

You can't expect everyone to stop watching antenna TV. Cable, maybe, but antenna TV is hard to shake.

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Haha, you forgot Nintendo, haha, cute.

The GameCube and N64 have way better games than the Xbox 360 and PS3 have. Sony and Microsoft produce bland games with nice graphics for the most part, and even the best ones like Halo aren't really timeless. Nintendo had so many hit games of highest quality.

 

[filmantopia]

Filmantopia, you are either to naive or too young (or both) - no offense intended - and you probably did not understand my point.

None taken.

But I don't see how Apple opening up development for A-TV and some APIs constitutes getting into the gaming business. It's not like the Pippin 2 or something.

They just open the flood gates and let it happen, like they did for the iPhone and iPad. They're not going out of their way to build the next amazing console. The device in their lineup already just happens to be powerful enough to run compelling games. In the end it's up to the developers but I believe the $$$ in the eco-system will attract attention. It's not a fundamental shift in strategy. It's not even a deviation.

Please explain if I did not understand your point.

 

[donutbagel]

I have two apple TV and a google TV. Nothing really special about any of them in regard to the interface. On a gaming console big deal about the interface, gamers want to get to the game. Console gamers spend little time on the interface.

I don't know if you've ever used an Xbox 360, but that thing forces you to spend time on its interface. While I can start playing SSBM in very little time, I have to get all of my friends to make the 360 detect their controllers then sign into their accounts for Halo 3. That stupid menu coming up for each player and walking them through the sign-in takes way too long. The PS3 is a lot better than that, but there's no Halo, and the controller is annoying.

If the Apple TV ends up having games, it had better not be like this.

 

[oiuh151]

Neither Apple or Google will be able to touch the hardcore gaming market unless they plan on getting some exclusive titles that entice people to buy something they can't already do on their smartphone.

Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all have worthwhile exclusives that get people to buy the system. Mediocre smartphone games that are more often than not god awful ripoffs with bad controls aren't going to do anything.

 

[Gigaman]

Besides the inevitable "look who's following the leader" and "it's official, companies fear apple"...

What makes google think this is a good idea?? They have set top boxes (right? I can't even recall their name), how are they doing? This will be yet ANOTHER android console, how have the others done?

Let's disregard what I just typed for a sec, I don't know a single popular exclusive out of google play, I can easily name a couple on the AppStore. I don't think fragmentation will be a huge problem, as this would be a top priority when it comes to availability- but what about compatibility with other devices (think dual screen games via AirPlay on iOS). Finally, early releases have android fans so pissed at iOS, I see it everywhere. I think google should get their $#!% straight first or at least wait till apple actually confirms they're tackling games on Apple TV.

But... I don't see apple competing with the big 3, initially, and if it does happen, hello Apple TV AppStore! Remember some of you non-gamers: it's all about the games.

 

[ghost187]

People have been asking for an app store for apple TV forever, but I believe Apple again did it the right way. By enabling official controller support, we now have something better than an apple TV with an app store. With airplay + controller support most popular games you already have will be Lite Console games on your Apple TV connected TV. The announcement at WWDC may have seem insignificant, but this may be the biggest thing apple has done in years. Games like Real Racing 3, XCOM, and Infinity Blade 2 are not far off from Xbox and PS3 in terms of graphics and next gen of iOS devices are expected to have a MAJOR boost in terms of GPU. PowerVR Series 6 GPU can score over a TeraFlop in a multicore setup. So it won't take a very long time for the next gen consoles to be out done both in CPU and GPU starting with the iPad. BTW, this will be a major victory for apple vs google, which is more important for apple. Android app store only has quantity not quality, with a very small selection of decent games. Come to think of it, Apple will be the Windows of gaming and Android will be the Mac of gaming, how ironic.

 

[sinsin07]

That may be so, but he is right nonetheless. Apple has the entire ecosystem thing covered-- they make it look easy compared to the clunky interfaces Sony and Microsoft have been choking up for their multimedia experiences.

Problem here is those "clunky interfaces" can serve up alot more media types than an Apple TVs.

Throw some more horse power (and honestly, how simple would that be?)

If you have to ask than mabye you should do more research.

snip...Who's going to ignore a $99 box with all kinds of great features,

"more horse power" and $99 dollars don't go together

a massive list of games from some brilliant developers,

The brilliant developers would need to be, Rockstar, Rare, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, EA, Bethesda, 2K, Blizzard, Bungie, Capcom,Namco Bandai just to name a few. Not Image Studios, Rovio, Chillingo Ltd, Nickelodeon, PopCap, Igor Kalicinski, (whoever the hell that is), Halfbrick Studios to name a few mobile game companies/developers

snip... vying specifically for big screen, living room-experience games.

What do you consider big screen living room experience games?

Not to mention a first-class controller that's already in your pocket.

That controller is only good for certain type of games. It will be kind of hard playing a first person shooter on touch screen controller while you are looking at a larger living room screen. That's why gaming console controllers have buttons.

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I don't know if you've ever used an Xbox 360, but that thing forces you to spend time on its interface. While I can start playing SSBM in very little time, I have to get all of my friends to make the 360 detect their controllers then sign into their accounts for Halo 3. That stupid menu coming up for each player and walking them through the sign-in takes way too long. The PS3 is a lot better than that, but there's no Halo, and the controller is annoying.

If the Apple TV ends up having games, it had better not be like this.

Should of mentioned, I have Wii, every Nintendo console ever made and still running, Xbox 360, PS3, 80 inch screen and a mix of 55" and 40". I don't like xBox, things I already pay for they put behind a paywall. However, I brought the 360 just for Halo.

If you are playing Halo, and you have friend coming over to play, you are in the gamer category. Shame on you.

 

[donutbagel]

Not to mention a first-class controller that's already in your pocket.

The iPhone is a last-resort controller unless you're playing a game meant for a touch screen. I can't even beat 1-2 of Super Mario Bros on an iPhone with fake buttons.

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If you are playing Halo, and you have friend coming over to play, you are in the gamer category. Shame on you.

It's when I'm playing at a friend's house, and we don't come over just to play video games. We're there, and we feel like playing Halo 3 for a bit. I don't have a working Xbox 360, but I have the regular XBOX (Xbox?). And the GC, N64, GBA, and GBC (but I only bought the GBC and GC).

 

[DavidMarks]

It'd make sense for their upcoming Nexus Q device to run Android apps and games, but to brand it specifically as a gaming console? That'd be just as silly as Microsoft promoting their next Xbox as a media center device! ...Hmmmm...

Actually, it'd probably be another N-Gage! Remember?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Aside from the odd "Glass" project, Google, Sony, Samsung etc don't give the impression that they're trying to invent any new classes of technology of their own, but only react (lately, preemptively) to whatever Apple (& to a lesser extent, each other) is (rumored to be) doing. Reactionary and derivative...

For all the money everyone's happy to pour into it, it's disheartening that there isn't more originality in consumer tech. If our industry were so unimaginative and flat, I'd shut both my companies down and go live in a yurt on the high plains.

 

[filmantopia]

You can't expect everyone to stop watching antenna TV. Cable, maybe, but antenna TV is hard to shake.

It's not like people will stop watching it just because Apple doesn't support it. People still listen to the radio, vinyl, etc.

It might be a little more difficult to connect if your (Apple-branded?) TV in 3-5 years doesn't support co-ax anymore. :-/

 

[4TheLoveOfTech]

Besides the inevitable "look who's following the leader" and "it's official, companies fear apple"...

What makes google think this is a good idea?? They have set top boxes (right? I can't even recall their name), how are they doing? This will be yet ANOTHER android console, how have the others done?

Let's disregard what I just typed for a sec, I don't know a single popular exclusive out of google play, I can easily name a couple on the AppStore. I don't think fragmentation will be a huge problem, as this would be a top priority when it comes to availability- but what about compatibility with other devices (think dual screen games via AirPlay on iOS). Finally, early releases have android fans so pissed at iOS, I see it everywhere. I think google should get their $#!% straight first or at least wait till apple actually confirms they're tackling games on Apple TV.

But... I don't see apple competing with the big 3, initially, and if it does happen, hello Apple TV AppStore! Remember some of you non-gamers: it's all about the games.

You do realize this is not even an analyst rumor? Here's the quote from the WSJ article this article came from


http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424127887323689204578571992848684764-lMyQjAxMTAzMDIwNzEyNDcyWj.html
"Google Inc. GOOG +0.39% is developing a videogame console and wristwatch powered by its Android operating system, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Internet company seeks to spread the software beyond smartphones and tablets.

With the game machine and digital watch, Google is hoping to combat similar devices that Apple Inc. AAPL -1.08% may release in the future, according to the people."

It's no more true than the iWatch, a TV by Apple or any other device with "people familiar with the matter".

Google's stock is near an all time high, Apple's stock is tanking along with worldwide smartphone market share.

iOS 7 Pastel Edition and a MacPro that is as limited as the Mac Mini for upgrades is what Apple has announced and the stock has continue to drop since the WWDC Conference.

Please consider the facts above before you put the RIP stone on Google's next speculated product.

 

[filmantopia]

The iPhone is a last-resort controller unless you're playing a game meant for a touch screen. I can't even beat 1-2 of Super Mario Bros on an iPhone with fake buttons.

Fair enough. That's where I believe 3rd party controllers come in. If they connect to an iPhone, that's an incredible touch-screen display to have imbedded in your controller.

 

[sinsin07]

Besides the inevitable "look who's following the leader" and "it's official, companies fear apple"...

What makes google think this is a good idea?? They have set top boxes (right? I can't even recall their name), how are they doing? This will be yet ANOTHER android console, how have the others done?

Let's disregard what I just typed for a sec, I don't know a single popular exclusive out of google play, I can easily name a couple on the AppStore. I don't think fragmentation will be a huge problem, as this would be a top priority when it comes to availability- but what about compatibility with other devices (think dual screen games via AirPlay on iOS). Finally, early releases have android fans so pissed at iOS, I see it everywhere. I think google should get their $#!% straight first or at least wait till apple actually confirms they're tackling games on Apple TV.

But... I don't see apple competing with the big 3, initially, and if it does happen, hello Apple TV AppStore! Remember some of you non-gamers: it's all about the games.

LOL Good Post. One question though, what make you think Google is thinking in this instance? LOL The have money, they like to throw thing out there and see if it sticks.

Google Nexus: Went into Limbo in July 2012 Nexus Q
Googe TV: How many did they sell of both versions? Scoope: Less than 1M Google TV devices in use
Google Nexus phones:
Did Samsung Just Admit the Galaxy Nexus Failed?

 

[Gigaman]

Problem here is those "clunky interfaces" can serve up alot more media types than an Apple TVs.


If you have to ask than mabye you should do more research.


"more horse power" and $99 dollars don't go together


The brilliant developers would need to be, Rockstar, Rare, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, EA, Bethesda, 2K, Blizzard, Bungie, Capcom,Namco Bandai just to name a few. Not Image Studios, Rovio, Chillingo Ltd, Nickelodeon, PopCap, Igor Kalicinski, (whoever the hell that is), Halfbrick Studios to name a few mobile game companies/developers


What do you consider big screen living room experience games?

That controller is only good for certain type of games. It will be kind of hard playing a first person shooter on touch screen controller while you are looking at a larger living room screen. That's why gaming console controllers have buttons.

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Should of mentioned, I have Wii, every Nintendo console ever made and still running, Xbox 360, PS3, 80 inch screen and a mix of 55" and 40". I don't like xBox, things I already pay for they put behind a paywall. However, I brought the 360 just for Halo.

If you are playing Halo, and you have friend coming over to play, you are in the gamer category. Shame on you.

Without looking, I can already tell you Rockstar, EA, Bethesda, 2K, Capcom and Namco Bandai already develop games on the AppStore. With a potential increase in popularity, who's to say the others won't easily join?