Nintendo Switch proves Apple missed a perfect opportunity

[iCole]

TLDR: Apple missed a perfect opportunity to make the iPad a phenomenal gaming device in addition to everything else it can do. Instead, other game companies have jumped in to fill the niche and Apple has already set down a road of freemium that is nearly impossible to reverse due to Pavlovian principles.

I don't agree.

Which companies are you talking about? Nintendo and Sony? The 3DS is selling well, but not on the level of the DS. The vita was a total disaster, saleswise. The rise of tablets (and big phones) has been hard on the handhelds. I don't think handhelds are still really a thing besides for kids.

I have both handhelds and I do play them occasionally... But in general iPad all the way here. (And i'm what you call, an hardcore gamer, having even invested in a PSVR ).

The iPad as a gaming device has :
- Way more games (and a lot that aren't freemium)
- Way cheaper
- An easy way to get those games
- Enormous battery life
- Good sync between devices
- family sharing

Sure you have games like uncharted on the Vita, but I find that this type of game does not translate very well on a mobile device. (and then there are other AAA type games on iPad)
Its something i would play on a TV, for longer sessions. But that's just me.

 

[ackmondual]

Apple isn't going to "fix" the freemium "problem". There is so much money spent via freemium IAP that it's pretty much a cash cow for them. Apple doesn't have to lift any more fingers, and they get a 30% cut of all of that.

Nintendo should stop making consoles, and just release all of their games for iOS and Android. Or Apple should buy them and release all of their games for iOS exclusively.

That's as ridiculous as saying Apple should license out iOS and OSX to 3rd parties. Just like how Apple's full control over their ecosystem is an advantage, Nintendo's full control over their hardware, and their exclusivity of their AAA titles on their hardware is their advantages.

 

[nia820]

Nintendo's games sells their consoles. Apple doesn't have the gaming library that Nintendo and other consoles have. Apple is smart for staying out of the console business.

 

[bryanc28]

The average age of a gamer today is around 35. I'm a 33 year old professional, and I feel no shame, nor do most people in my peer group, about playing games in public. I guess it depends on whom you associate with.

"When I became a man, I put aside childish things, including the fear of childishness."
C.S. Lewis

Hahaha, I'm older than you & I would not hesitate playing any portable device in public. Your comments are spot on!

 

[Madmic23]

I still think that Nintendo should just make an app for the iPad / iPhone called: Nintendo. Whole games would be in-app purchases. They could sell a controller that attaches to the iPad / iPhone, Switch style, and require that you buy that in order to play. Obviously, this won't happen for multiple reasons, but it would be really nice.

 

[ackmondual]

I still think that Nintendo should just make an app for the iPad / iPhone called: Nintendo. Whole games would be in-app purchases. They could sell a controller that attaches to the iPad / iPhone, Switch style, and require that you buy that in order to play. Obviously, this won't happen for multiple reasons, but it would be really nice.

Can't tell if this was sarcastic.... if not,
Then they may as well just do the same thing on the Switch... on their own hardware, where they have full control over it (as opposed to being at the mercy of how often Apple updates iOS, and can result in updates that are more trouble than they're worth), where they won't have to give a 30% cut to Apple, on a platform that already has physical controllers. If someone could correct me, AFAIK, there aren't that many takers for Ipad and iPhone users who bought external controllers for playing iOS games. It's an extra piece of hardware you'd need to bring around, and AFAIK again, there doesn't seem to be much support for these from iOS devs.

Plus, between Nintendo and Apple, there are a lot of neat games on iOS, but overall, Nintendo still seems to come out on top. Plus, the hardware is still cheaper. I will acknowledge that an iPad and Ip are more versatile, but for kids, or people who already have that covered, that extra functionality is not needed.

 

[Madmic23]

Can't tell if this was sarcastic.... if not,
Then they may as well just do the same thing on the Switch... on their own hardware, where they have full control over it (as opposed to being at the mercy of how often Apple updates iOS, and can result in updates that are more trouble than they're worth), where they won't have to give a 30% cut to Apple, on a platform that already has physical controllers. If someone could correct me, AFAIK, there aren't that many takers for Ipad and iPhone users who bought external controllers for playing iOS games. It's an extra piece of hardware you'd need to bring around, and AFAIK again, there doesn't seem to be much support for these from iOS devs.

Plus, between Nintendo and Apple, there are a lot of neat games on iOS, but overall, Nintendo still seems to come out on top. Plus, the hardware is still cheaper. I will acknowledge that an iPad and Ip are more versatile, but for kids, or people who already have that covered, that extra functionality is not needed.

I'm actually serious. The reason why add on controllers aren't that popular with iOS devices is because there's no reason to use them. Every game needs to be made to use the touchscreen.

If Nintendo were to ever get out of the hardware business (which I don't see them doing) this would be the next best thing. People would actually buy a Nintendo branded iOS controller if it would allow them to play classic Nintendo games.

 

[Steve121178]

TLDR: Apple missed a perfect opportunity to make the iPad a phenomenal gaming device in addition to everything else it can do.

Apple didn't miss anything. iOS is a phenomenal gaming platform and will continue to be a platform for great games, long after the Switch has flopped.

 

[jonnyb098]

After reading through 'most" of the comments so far, I have to say I mostly agree with the OP. I was just having this discussion about the switch with a buddy recently and said the exact same thing. Apple definitely missed the boat on not making the iPad/iOS more relevant for higher quality games. Not $50 games ( no one is going to pay that as we already know) But the more premium $5-10 Indie game market.

A couple of things happened so lets look at history. In the early days of the iPad and App Store companies like Gameloft, Epic, etc. made some really good games and sold them for $5-8. Like games that looked and played really well. I loved them and thought in 2010-2012 the iPad might be the future of high quality gaming on the go with all the benefits of the other tablet features. Unfortunately what happened (not sure of the order) is that Apple didn't partner properly with these studios to encourage development. NEXT, the general public slowly proved they were unwilling to pay $5-10 for a mobile game, in turn further hampering development of these games and turning franchises into freemium garbage (from my intermediate gamer perspective). Now whats left are the one off indie titles that are usually a few bucks that are at least worth a look. Thankfully we still have that.

So in the end I would say most of the blame is on people rather than Apple. Its really hard to make sense of but thats the way it is. People will spend $5 on a latte but not a decent game. They'll spend $20 on gems but complain Mario was $10 to unlock the full game. See a pattern here? People don't make sense. But thats life. The only thing that maybe would have stopped the bleeding early on would have been Apple indeed making that stronger push and partnering. Imagine what it could've been like today. Because the Apple TV in combo with our devices would be a sweet gaming setup. Essentially 'almost" what the Nintendo Switch is.

 

[Tubamajuba]

Apple didn't miss anything. iOS is a phenomenal gaming platform and will continue to be a platform for great games, long after the Switch has flopped.

I mean, it's phenomenal if you like simple and repetitive touchscreen games littered with IAPs and/or ads. I haven't been able to spend more than an hour on an iOS game in years. I think iOS/Android gaming had potential before IAPs and the subsequent race to the bottom killed any motivation for developers to make games with depth and substance. Are there a few gems out there? Sure- but they're few and far between.

 

[ackmondual]

I'm actually serious. The reason why add on controllers aren't that popular with iOS devices is because there's no reason to use them. Every game needs to be made to use the touchscreen.

The people with Nintendo handhelds would beg to differ. And there's a whole lot of them, so this isn't just some anomaly. Playing games that require a cross-key joystick plus 2 to 4 buttons on a 4" Ipod Touch eats up four sixths of the screen. Plus, having physical hard buttons is tactile and responds better. Some iOS games have gotten around this by slowing down gameplay to compensate for this (e.g. Pac Man CE), but trying to do everything with touch just doesn't work out. If you want to play touch based games, there's the DS and iDevices. If you want games that require a physical controller, then consider getting controllers for iOS devices, or get the Nintendo handhelds.

If Nintendo were to ever get out of the hardware business (which I don't see them doing) this would be the next best thing. People would actually buy a Nintendo branded iOS controller if it would allow them to play classic Nintendo games.

With the scores and scores of people who generally don't pay for games, I doubt it'd be worth Nintendo's effort to go through with this. Again, they already have the hardware, they want to push people to buy their hardware, and they can do this without having to pay Apple a 30% cut. Win-win.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Does the Samsung RS25H5121SRAA prove that Apple missed an opportunity in fridges, too? Just food for thought.

 

[Steve121178]

Are there a few gems out there? Sure- but they're few and far between.

The same could be said about any game library for any Nintendo home console. For me, a Nintendo console is something you can use to supplement a PS4 & Xbox One. There just isn't the quantity of titles do only have it as your only & primary games machine.

There's a huge amount of original & great games on iOS. Unfortunately, everyone has become rather greedy and a lot of games are spoilt with micro transactions. However, a lot of complete great games are available for a few £'s. I play a lot of Football Manager on iOS. It only costs £7.99 and there is some optional extras for £12. For something that keeps me playing for an entire year (or however long it takes to complete 30 full seasons) is extraordinary value for money.

 

[crashoverride77]

You are making an assumption. You know what happens when you assume something?

Apple created the iPad to be a consumption device first, then it adapted to be a creative device as well. The uses of the iPad are many (watching shows/movies, using the web, doing work, creativity, and playing games). Spend 1 minute in the App Store and you will see that games have a LARGE presence in the App Store. Spend any time at all in public looking at people on their apple devices and you will see people play games on them as well.

My thread merely noted that Apple really missed the mark in terms of one aspect of the iPad, and it is proven with Nintendo jumping in to fill the niche. If the iPad was a capable device, Nintendo would have been more likely to just produce games for the iPad like the did with Pokémon go, but unfortunately the iPad is stuck with mostly freemium games because that is the path that Apple has decided to let the App Store go.

your clearly never made an app or have an idea about app monetisation especially if you are an indie dev.

 

[ackmondual]

The same could be said about any game library for any Nintendo home console. For me, a Nintendo console is something you can use to supplement a PS4 & Xbox One. There just isn't the quantity of titles do only have it as your only & primary games machine.

There's a huge amount of original & great games on iOS. Unfortunately, everyone has become rather greedy and a lot of games are spoilt with micro transactions. However, a lot of complete great games are available for a few £'s. I play a lot of Football Manager on iOS. It only costs £7.99 and there is some optional extras for £12. For something that keeps me playing for an entire year (or however long it takes to complete 30 full seasons) is extraordinary value for money.

?? Right back at you, since just like how there's a huge amount of great and original great games on the Nintendo platforms?

In the end, you use the platform that has the games you'd like on it. Nothing more, nothing less. Some folks will stick with iOS. When my IpT5 runs out of battery, I don't think I'll replace it with an IpT6 nor try to get a cheap Iph6 (for the 4.7"+ screen), but I did buy an Ipad Air last year, so I'll play out my remaining library of iOS games on there. In the meantime, I picked up Super Mario Galaxy 2 for $20, and it's given me over 40 hours of gameplay thus far. I'll probably have it fully completed (all stars obtained) after another 10 hours. I highly doubt I'll go back to play it (as if New Super Mario Bros. Wii and the 1st Super Mario Galaxy were any indication), but to get around 50 hours into just a $20 game, without any microtransations, pay walls, nor having to wait for "the level of the day", is truly a bargain. Bonus is how I am a fan of Nintendo games. Dare I say, I do feel fondly about them as some of the fans here feel passionately about their Mac computers.

 

[Drezin]

the OP is looking at the ipad purely with gaming eyes. im so glad it isnt a premium gaming platform. havent played a game on ipad in months and months. i suspect Apple's target iPad audience are a little over 13 (not dissing gaming in general i assure you)

Yes, you are dissing gaming. Most of the people who play games seriously are adults and having good games does not keep you from having pages, keynote, evernote...
[doublepost=1489585555][/doublepost]

Look, don't have a cow. You stated your opinon and I gave you mine. There is no reason to start hurling personal invective as you did. I did not attack you, just your argument.

Apple has a 7 year history of marketing the iPad. Those are facts. I based that history on my comments. I don't speak for Apple obviously. I am intelligent enough to make certain conclusions based on how Apple has marketed the iPad and iPad Apps during that time period.

The ironic think about your comments above is that your original post contained no facts as to why Apple missed the boat. How could it -- the Switch isn't even on sale yet. But even with iPads in a slump Apple sells about 40 million units per year. It took Sony 2.5 years to tell that many PS4. In 6 generations of the GameBoy Nintendo sold 200 million combined.
So I fail to see your argument that the iPad would be more successful as a game console.

It's not a matter of having the iPad as a gaming console! PCs have been used as gaming devices for decades, with serious tournaments around the world, and they obviously aren't just for gaming. Many, many people buy windows machines for gaming instead of Macs, why would you be against the iPad having one more function?