New Apple TV Only Supports Two Bluetooth Controllers at Once

[CFreymarc]

This can be handled with a BLE access point. There are many on the market.

Have your app running on the Apple TV pair with an access point. Then have all the controllers connect pair to this access point. All the player controllers can then feed their input into the game this way.

You'll need some custom code or a multi-controller BLE profile established to make this happen. Did a network scheme like this this a while ago with an IoT application connecting an iPhone to a local wireless sensor array.

 

[superserious2.0]

Consoles are 2x-3x more expensive and don't support 4k games either. And as far as the limitation for multiple controllers for party games, iPhones are not limited like the bluetooth game controllers are. And there will never be party games (4-8 players) that ever bother to support true game controllers.

Besides, what's more likely, your party guests all bring over their Apple TV compatible game controllers or your party guests just arrive with their iPhones and use those to all play party games together?

I got my XBOX ONE new for $350 with a $50 gift card and one game. True gamers are not going to move to this Apple TV and a good percentage of casual gamers will not either. A good percentage of casual gamers, only game to kill time while traveling and they tend to do that on mobile devices.

The Apple TV may be beneficial for parents with toddlers! I think it could be a good way to keep the little ones busy while doubling as a video/music device...

I will stick to my PC and my XBOX ONE and when I want to plays some light-weight games on the go, I will use my tablet or phone...

 

[CFreymarc]

Besides, what's more likely, your party guests all bring over their Apple TV compatible game controllers or your party guests just arrive with their iPhones and use those to all play party games together?

Exactly. Here is an app idea from some out there already. Have mutiple iPhones conected form a mesh network such there is only one iPhone directly pair with the Apple TV. This app runs a game IO (buttons, motion, vibration) for all to play.

 

[jkichline]

Not to point out the obvious here, but if you were making a party game, would you really want to have eight controllers laying around? Wouldn't it be a better idea to make an app you can load on your iPhones and then use WiFi to control the AppleTV? What about a MFi device that allows multiple controllers but links to the Apple TV as one Bluetooth device? In other words, there are better ways around this limitation.

 

[jkichline]

Exactly. Here is an app idea from some out there already. Have mutiple iPhones conected form a mesh network such there is only one iPhone directly pair with the Apple TV. This app runs a game IO (buttons, motion, vibration) for all to play.

You could do this with multi-peer connectivity.

 

[Aetles]

Apple doesn't understand gaming, and at this point I'm not sure if they ever will.

What do you mean, they have this nice App Store that offer such great games like these:

 

[bluespark]

Apple doesn't understand gaming, and at this point I'm not sure if they ever will. It's really unfortunate because I feel like this is the closest they've ever gotten and they're still missing the mark in many key ways. The thing should come with one BT MFi controller designed by Apple. Then they should sell Apple designed controllers. The experience is too inconsistent right now. When someone buys this thing, they'll see that controller and understand if they want more controllers to play, they'll need to go buy one like that. That controller is even more limited than the Wii which, even though successful, was pretty much used to only play Wii Sports by the vast majority of owners. I don't think we'll see many companies making games for a platform that is effectively restricted from taking off. Either build in proper game support, or don't have it at all. If it takes more money, then charge what it takes. I still feel like this device is just testing the waters, but the waters will be cold since it's so limited. It's just frustrating because I feel like this platform could be so much more.

What's interesting is that they don't even seem to be effectively targeting those with nothing more than a passive interest in gaming, either. As case in point, I don't own a console and have no plans to buy one. However, I was interested in the idea of a gaming-version of the Apple TV, which I thought would be fun for the family and well-supported (at least for the sort of basic, arcade-type games I might actually play). For that to work, though, there needs to be a standard controller and, ideally, a version packaged with one or two of them so that develoers have a reference platform to develop around (not unlike what Amazon has done). Otherwise, I have to spend time reading about what works with what and I really don't care enough to deal wth that.

Although I've been excited for ages for a new Apple TV, this is shaping up to be a mess of a release and I'm actually considering jumping ship for Amazon Fire TV. The Apple TV just seems devoid of vision and hampered by bean-counting types of decisions.

 

[bluespark]

This is exactly why I won't be buying one.

If DishTV was smart/cable enough to have put a BT transmitter in their two-year-old Hopper DVR, why the hell can't Apple put it their brand new ATV??

I may be misunderstanding your point, but the Apple TV does support Bluetooth headphones.

 

[wovel]

I'm sorry, I must have gotten confused by the multiple gaming demonstrations on stage at the announcement of the product. It's definitely not meant to do gaming.

Did any of those demos use a controller? Was it even mentioned on stage?

 

[wovel]

Ignoring the fact that the iPhone is ONE OF the largest CASUAL gaining platform on the planet?

I would like you to indicate a larger gaming platform of any kind...

 

[ENduro]

Did any of those demos use a controller? Was it even mentioned on stage?

The question was is this a console. Yes, it is a console. One with an increasing amount of seemingly arbitrary limitations that will stifle sales.

 

[Cartoonkid]

I may be misunderstanding your point, but the Apple TV does support Bluetooth headphones.

Hmm. Wasn't the last time I checked.

I'm not at home to fire it up and check at the moment, but do you happen to know what menu has BT audio output as an option?

EDIT: Or, are you talking about the new ATV?

 

[wovel]

It is amazing how many experts on the gaming industry there are here on Mac Rumors. I am sure this product is doomed to fail because it doesn't support as many gaming controllers of a specific type that some of our experts here believe it should. Apple should just the project down. What a waste. Thank you for all the valuable insights.

 

[wovel]

Hmm. Wasn't the last time I checked.

I'm not at home to fire it up and check at the moment, but do you happen to know what menu has BT audio output as an option?

EDIT: Or, are you talking about the new ATV?

I am not sure why any Apple TV would since bluetooth headphones are essentially worthless for video. If Apple can solve that (which really shouldn't be all that hard), then they will have really accomplished something.

 

[sudo1996]

And only the hella expensive Apple-approved ones even though it could easily work with any Bluetooth controller.

 

[Swift]

So Apple's control is founded on the idea of two or three at once. Partly, I'm a little older than the demographic here; is that a bad thing? Do all the other platforms give you the ability to form zombie armies? With a CAPCOM and all that? I think this initial model is great for the babies home with mama. The Wii also was a hit. But of course the surfer dude heads of like, software companies, nothing is ever rad enough! I think Apple has put together a hell of a chip, and it will get better next year. Hint: the iPhone 6 could play 4K, but only at 30fps, so Apple just didn't talk about it. The 6S will play 4K at 60fps. You know, Apple has the iPlatform, which sells a lot of games. This is iOS comes to Apple TV. Remember, they make the chip and the OS. I think they went for the younger set, like Frogger games and stuff until they make a play for it. iOS 9 is a beast. The A9 or whatever's in here can do some serious processing. Almost twice as fast as the previous, also because of the introduction of Metal as a way of directly addressing the graphics layer. Having the new chip to program as they see fit is a huge advantage in the long run.

 

[Rogzilla]

Um...this isn't how it works, dude. People buy the console and four controllers, and their friends just come over and they have the setup waiting.

Really? I don't know a single person who owns four controllers. Controllers are really expensive now ($60) so everyone I know has, at most, two. Not to mention, most consoles push for online multiplayer (which is annoying when I want to play a game with my wife). If you get wireless, you have to consider things like batteries or charging docks (which only support two controllers at a time).

Even with the N64 or Gamecube, my friends only owned 2 at most and we brought our own controllers to parties. Pretty much, if the plan was to stay the night, gaming was expected. Heck, we did LAN parties where we brought our own PCs! Bringing our own controllers was nothing.

Now, if we have a second kid (our first is about to turn two) and, in several years from now, I decide I want to play games with both of them at the same time, I might buy a third controller. But I would probably be fine just watching them play and crack jokes. I already watch Let's Plays.

That being said, not all my friends have iPhones (some of them still use flip phones) so the assumption that they would be able to use those is still pretty unlikely.

 

[Cartoonkid]

I am not sure why any Apple TV would since bluetooth headphones are essentially worthless for video. If Apple can solve that (which really shouldn't be all that hard), then they will have really accomplished something.

Either Dish TV is smarter than Apple or you've just had bad experiences, because BT on my DVR works fantastic with my wife's cochlear implants. No latency whatsoever.

 

[Kroo]

Apple just really loves to shut themselves out of the gaming market. Between this and the requirement that games cannot be designed for the controllers makes the controllers a novelty. Apple TV games will be low quality casual games until these are fixed, and that's unfortunate.



Um...this isn't how it works, dude. People buy the console and four controllers, and their friends just come over and they have the setup waiting.

Umm, I think you'll find that kids will play and invite their friends online. Your idea of gaming is so last century. Well that how my kids and I played CoD all through summer, with their friends online.

 

[uwdude]

How does the hardware on this new Apple TV compare to the consoles? Would it be possible to have console quality games on here even if it was allowed?

 

[ENduro]

It is amazing how many experts on the gaming industry there are here on Mac Rumors. I am sure this product is doomed to fail because it doesn't support as many gaming controllers of a specific type that some of our experts here believe it should. Apple should just the project down. What a waste. Thank you for all the valuable insights.

The video game market eclipsed the movie industry. This stuff is important. If not for your amusement than for the bottom line. The streaming box that hits the sweet spot will win the battle for the TV. You can be glib if you want but it won't make the "I toldja so's" sting any less.

 

[Icaras]

Really? I don't know a single person who owns four controllers.

I bought and own four Wavebird controllers for my GameCube and four Wii remote controllers. Of course these controllers service across three different consoles, so backward compatibility helps.

Similarly, Apple standardizing with MFi will help too as I can simply use my Steel Stratus controller that I game with on my iPhone and iPad for my Apple TV as well, so its one type of controller that can service across multiple platforms.

 

[Kroo]

If so, it's a very standard way of doing things for many companies. Why would you criticize apple without mentioning tv set manufacturers, etc and on and on? You guys here really love to crucify apple over every little thing that is common practice in the business and technical world!

This is Macroumors, the home of the anti Apple malcontents, with inferiority complexes in hand and where the use of the words "fanboy" and "koolaid" are mandatory.

 

[ENduro]

This is Macroumors, the home of the anti Apple malcontents, with inferiority complexes in hand and where the use of the words "fanboy" and "koolaid" are mandatory.

So are they fanboys or malcontents? You're commenting on it wrong.

 

[Mascots]

If so, it's a very standard way of doing things for many companies. Why would you criticize apple without mentioning tv set manufacturers, etc and on and on? You guys here really love to crucify apple over every little thing that is common practice in the business and technical world!

Excuse me? Laugh-out-loud. I didn't critize Apple at all. There was literally no opinion in that post unless you wanted to draw it for yourself.

For the record, I was stating that for the people who fail to understand Apple's process and will inevitably gripe.

To please the people who are so scared of any criticism on something they like, I knew I should have said something along the lines of: "Well it's still better than shipping the original iPhone without MMS".

Really though, suck it up. Don't read into things that aren't there.