I agree with your general tone, but it's a bit early for them to have "chosen to do nothing". The Apple TV 4k isn't that old, and it's still a pretty powerful device. I'd like to see them keep updating it, of course. Sounds like they're going to have to buy some really good games and have a bundled controller though (if they want games to take off).
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Minecraft for Apple TV Discontinued Due to Lack of Players
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I agree with your general tone, but it's a bit early for them to have "chosen to do nothing". The Apple TV 4k isn't that old, and it's still a pretty powerful device. I'd like to see them keep updating it, of course. Sounds like they're going to have to buy some really good games and have a bundled controller though (if they want games to take off).
AppleTV 4K 32GB+Nimbus Steel Series+Minecraft is $249.00, 64GB is $269.00.
OR
Xbox One S Minecraft Limited Edition Bundle w/1TB HDD=$299.00, plays UltraHD Blu-rays AND streams 4K
Guess which one people are going to buy this holiday season?
**Bonus** I can play Fortnite, PUBG, COD BlackOps 4, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, BG5, et al. on my Xbox One with other people around the world via Xbox Live and play pretty much anything else via Xbox Game Pass.
***BONUS*** If I wait until Black Friday, I can pick up an Xbox One S for around $269.00 at Target, Best Buy, Costco or Sam's Club.
Disclosure: I own an AppleTV (Third Gen) that I got for $69...love it, but I am not paying more than $99 for the AppleTV 4K w/64GB, because at $199, it is a horrible value versus a PS 4 Slim, Xbox One S, NVIDIA Shield TV or a ROKU and no bazillion dollar investment in original programming is going to fix that.
OR
Xbox One S Minecraft Limited Edition Bundle w/1TB HDD=$299.00, plays UltraHD Blu-rays AND streams 4K
Guess which one people are going to buy this holiday season?
**Bonus** I can play Fortnite, PUBG, COD BlackOps 4, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, BG5, et al. on my Xbox One with other people around the world via Xbox Live and play pretty much anything else via Xbox Game Pass.
***BONUS*** If I wait until Black Friday, I can pick up an Xbox One S for around $269.00 at Target, Best Buy, Costco or Sam's Club.
Disclosure: I own an AppleTV (Third Gen) that I got for $69...love it, but I am not paying more than $99 for the AppleTV 4K w/64GB, because at $199, it is a horrible value versus a PS 4 Slim, Xbox One S, NVIDIA Shield TV or a ROKU and no bazillion dollar investment in original programming is going to fix that.
I really like the remote. I understand why some/many people don't but I like the simplicity and the touch pad. I don't use it to play games because it's not good for that but for everything else media-related, it's always been solid.
They need to include two gaming controllers for it to even be remotely considered a gaming unit. As it stands, I'd have to dump $180 into the Apple TV and another $50 for a controller. I can get so many more feature rich gaming consoles for $230.
BUT... at least each generation is thinner than the rest! That’s really important for something that sits on a shelf!
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Not on my ATV3.
If they had made the iOS app a universal app with TV support, they'd have a lot more usage. That's what most other apps do. But Microsoft had to find a way to make an extra $20 a copy, while also making it more difficult for themselves, having to maintain two separate apps.
See the Switch. If done right, and with some good first party and third party titles, it’s possible. Apple has passed on the opportunity to leverage its entire ecosystem. They essentially already have the compinents of Switch, but they failed to assemble them into a gaming system. Apple has never appeared to care much for games, so I guess they just don’t try. We all know they have the cash to take the chance, but...
This may be the reason—console pricing can get pretty cut throat, and Apple has never followed the model of selling hardware at cost or less. Sony and MS know the console isn’t what makes them money, so they do whatever it takes to get into your living room and signed on for Live or PS+. It’s simply not a game Apple plays.
I'll be the first to say that when it comes to the Apple TV, the reason why games are a failure (in the eyes of society) are:
With that being said, let me be the guy to give a full hearted defense of Apple TV as a gaming platform, though I do believe it to be for a very particular type of person (such as myself). I'm in grad school, and have very little to no time to play games, maybe an hour here or there over the week. Maybe a couple hours on a day. When I had a capable gaming computer, the last couple games I played were the Doom and Tomb Raider reboots, which were awesome, but I just don't think I'm in that place anymore to where I can devote that much time to it. For my purposes, the Apple TV is perfect for me, because our TV is mounted on the wall with the Apple TV4K on top of it. There's no room for an Xbox if I wanted one. There's something very simplistic and efficient about that that appeals to me. I haven't had a console in over 10 years and don't want one.
I also kinda laugh when I hear people talk about the lack of apps. I feel like we as a society have completely changed our perceptions as far as what is considered a lack of games since, say, the Sega Dreamcast days. That system is looked back on with fondness by a lot of people, but there were only around 25-30 games truly worth playing for it. And that's fine! That's all you needed. My point is, I can name about 30-35 games on the Apple TV that I want to play (and will probably never have time for). I mean really think about it, there are literally too many games being produced in 2018, and that is already becoming a problem for developers. Now what people may be referring to when they say lack of games is that there aren't more Assassin's Creed/Call of Duty type substantial experiences on it, which is somewhat true. I would say that there may not be high budgets for games on the Apple TV, but there are certainly games on the Apple TV that have those similar experiences.
Which brings me to another point, which is hardware. I already have an iPhone or iPad, so if I buy a universal app, I can have a similar experience to what people already have with the Switch. I don't have to purchase any extra hardware for this. And the games are cheap! I just bought Evoland 2 (great so far) for $1.99, and it's worth far more than that. It made me think of how Chrono Trigger cost $80 or so when I was a kid (which BTW is also on Apple TV).
Basically, if you're super casual like me, and in a similar situation, the Apple TV is perfect, as it is IMO the best streaming box out there as well.
BTW, if anyone is curious and wants to dip their toes into the Apple TV game waters without having to buy a controller (though the controller is worth it), Nightgate and Lara Croft Go would be a decent place to start. Either of the Alto's games as well.
- mandating games use the Siri remote in the beginning (really dumb move)
- App size restrictions
- Apple simply doesn't care, and never has. They are swimming in money, and could pay some developer out there for a Breath of the Wild level exclusive that would drum up support (something like Sky which will release soon). They could sell the Apple TV in their stores with the Steel Series Nimbus controller and really market it to a certain segment while still keeping their main focus on their streaming service and being the best place to stream video. But they just don't care, and will never care. It just isn't in their DNA.
With that being said, let me be the guy to give a full hearted defense of Apple TV as a gaming platform, though I do believe it to be for a very particular type of person (such as myself). I'm in grad school, and have very little to no time to play games, maybe an hour here or there over the week. Maybe a couple hours on a day. When I had a capable gaming computer, the last couple games I played were the Doom and Tomb Raider reboots, which were awesome, but I just don't think I'm in that place anymore to where I can devote that much time to it. For my purposes, the Apple TV is perfect for me, because our TV is mounted on the wall with the Apple TV4K on top of it. There's no room for an Xbox if I wanted one. There's something very simplistic and efficient about that that appeals to me. I haven't had a console in over 10 years and don't want one.
I also kinda laugh when I hear people talk about the lack of apps. I feel like we as a society have completely changed our perceptions as far as what is considered a lack of games since, say, the Sega Dreamcast days. That system is looked back on with fondness by a lot of people, but there were only around 25-30 games truly worth playing for it. And that's fine! That's all you needed. My point is, I can name about 30-35 games on the Apple TV that I want to play (and will probably never have time for). I mean really think about it, there are literally too many games being produced in 2018, and that is already becoming a problem for developers. Now what people may be referring to when they say lack of games is that there aren't more Assassin's Creed/Call of Duty type substantial experiences on it, which is somewhat true. I would say that there may not be high budgets for games on the Apple TV, but there are certainly games on the Apple TV that have those similar experiences.
Which brings me to another point, which is hardware. I already have an iPhone or iPad, so if I buy a universal app, I can have a similar experience to what people already have with the Switch. I don't have to purchase any extra hardware for this. And the games are cheap! I just bought Evoland 2 (great so far) for $1.99, and it's worth far more than that. It made me think of how Chrono Trigger cost $80 or so when I was a kid (which BTW is also on Apple TV).
Basically, if you're super casual like me, and in a similar situation, the Apple TV is perfect, as it is IMO the best streaming box out there as well.
BTW, if anyone is curious and wants to dip their toes into the Apple TV game waters without having to buy a controller (though the controller is worth it), Nightgate and Lara Croft Go would be a decent place to start. Either of the Alto's games as well.
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Not having even looked at ATV apps, is there really that much additional work over and above the iPad/iPhone version? I would have thought it would be at least 95% the same code so not be taking up much in terms of development time.
Apple, make and promote a decent game controller (or even offer an Apple TV with one packaged in as an option) and gaming can take off, a lot of the problem is people just don't know about it, and the game asking for a special controller AFTER people buy it (remember people don't read instructions often and your own products come with very little) means many don't use it as such, if you're serious about gaming on the platform, provide the information and controllers to do so!
The Apple TV remote is, by air, the biggest FAIL Apple has ever produced. That thing is totally useless. I installed the Remote app on my iPhone and use it exclusively. And I'm not even talking about games, I'm talking basic screen nav to find content. When I first started using it, I couldn't understand how Apple could possible ship a product with such a COMPLETELY CRAP user interface. To think what a beautiful and functional remote Apple *could* make, if they would simply COMMIT to doing so.
EDIT: Apple should do a fresh ATV remote design and offer it free, or damn cheap, to every ATV owner, accompanied by a sincere apology for being totally clueless and inept (in this one instance, IMO).
EDIT: Apple should do a fresh ATV remote design and offer it free, or damn cheap, to every ATV owner, accompanied by a sincere apology for being totally clueless and inept (in this one instance, IMO).
@luvbug As a launch customer, I remember the device not even supporting bluetooth keyboards, i.e. typing your iCloud Password on like a 60" fat screen in front of everyone else.
The ATV4/K is in many ways a general failure. Not sure if Siri is already available in my country on ATV. Frankly, I didn't bother checking anymore recently. That said, I never needed to charge my remote yet... battery is really lasting long...
The ATV4/K is in many ways a general failure. Not sure if Siri is already available in my country on ATV. Frankly, I didn't bother checking anymore recently. That said, I never needed to charge my remote yet... battery is really lasting long...
Chicken and egg. Using your logic why did Minecraft release anything at all? But they did, and then showed no follow through. That was stupid of Mojang, IF they were going to release, they should have been prepared to show more commitment than just a launch. No updates was a self fulfilling prophecy. Seems short sighted to me.
I love the Siri remote and have never had an issue with it, have never gotten the hate there. I use Siri all the time, and I love how easy it is to go back 10 seconds on a movie.
I think it it may be a case of human nature. Some people embrace change, some would rather not. In this case, there's no right or wrong opinion I suppose. It's good that you can use your iPhone or a 3rd party remote if you want.
I think it it may be a case of human nature. Some people embrace change, some would rather not. In this case, there's no right or wrong opinion I suppose. It's good that you can use your iPhone or a 3rd party remote if you want.
Microsoft made a mistake releasing it as a standalone version. They should have added support for the regular iOS version, then millions would have gotten instant access at no cost. Unless Microsoft seriously expected to make money from an Apple TV version. That was never on the cards. Apple made a mistake by not including a game controller with the Apple TV. Or at least marketing it as a great gaming platform.
Steam wanted to do that but got shut down by Apple. Luckily their own hardware is dirt cheap.
I really don't see the problem with having a seperate streaming box and gaming console.
When I want to game, I can fire up the gaming console that uses something like 200W of power and can heat the whole room during the winter if needed, fans blazing. It comes with an awesome ergonomic controller with tons of buttons, and a UI designed perfectly for gaming.
When I want to watch tv, I turn to the AppleTV which uses 6W of power and is totally silent. It has a tiny remote that I actually quite like, and a UI designed perfectly for tvs and movies.
Sure it would be better to have a single converged device that can be silent and low-power while streaming and super powerful at all costs while gaming, that comes with both awesome controllers and a sleek little remote, and that has a UI fit for both gaming and tv/movie consumption, but so far there has yet to be such a device created. Every device that tries to be that prioritizes one use over the other, and the lower priority use always feels half-assed.
When I want to game, I can fire up the gaming console that uses something like 200W of power and can heat the whole room during the winter if needed, fans blazing. It comes with an awesome ergonomic controller with tons of buttons, and a UI designed perfectly for gaming.
When I want to watch tv, I turn to the AppleTV which uses 6W of power and is totally silent. It has a tiny remote that I actually quite like, and a UI designed perfectly for tvs and movies.
Sure it would be better to have a single converged device that can be silent and low-power while streaming and super powerful at all costs while gaming, that comes with both awesome controllers and a sleek little remote, and that has a UI fit for both gaming and tv/movie consumption, but so far there has yet to be such a device created. Every device that tries to be that prioritizes one use over the other, and the lower priority use always feels half-assed.
So did Apple, for a really really long time, and basically killed any interest developers had for building for it. Also the lack of substantive updates and limited non-expandable memory capacity. Even the darn Switch can have an SD card shoved in it.
Apple failed to innovate and grasp the opportunity, and Nintendo once again stole the "low end" living room game box/pad/thing.