Well, ok, not EVERYone who owns an ATV4 will also own an iPhone, but I think that's a pretty small minority of users who Apple is willing to marginalize slightly in the name of improving the gaming experience for everyone else. And assuming that the new Remote app will at least work iPads, then the only ppl Apple will be alienating are ATV4 owners with no other iOS devices AND no third-party MFi controller.
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Apps No brainer game ports, where are they?
- Thread starter ErikGrim
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Well, ok, not EVERYone who owns an ATV4 will also own an iPhone, but I think that's a pretty small minority of users who Apple is willing to marginalize slightly in the name of improving the gaming experience for everyone else. And assuming that the new Remote app will at least work iPads, then the only ppl Apple will be alienating are ATV4 owners with no other iOS devices AND no third-party MFi controller.
Have Apple changed the remote requirement?
Browsing the Apple TV App Store I came across Guitar Hero Live (top free list) and this app does not include the "controller optional" label. Instead the first paragraph of the description reads:
The app is marked as an Editors' Choice, so I don't suppose it just slipped through.
Some special agreement with Apple? I don't recall having read about it anywhere.
That seems like the one exception so far, which is weird. I'm surprised they didn't get more big companies like EA like they have with the iPhone, iPod, and iPad launches. They've totally fumbled with the ATV in my opinion. I love mine, but I still feel like they didn't try very hard with the launch.
All the previous Galaxy on Fire games.
All the Space Sims for that matter.
I already own them. I e-mailed the developer but some are more keen to make a "TV" version and you have to pay for it over again...
AFA Guitar Hero maybe Apple makes an exception if a totally different controller is required.
All the Space Sims for that matter.
I already own them. I e-mailed the developer but some are more keen to make a "TV" version and you have to pay for it over again...
AFA Guitar Hero maybe Apple makes an exception if a totally different controller is required.
Quite a few people are picking on the Guitar Hero scenario...... so I just wanted to chime in with my personal experience and throw my point of view out there.
Apple historically has made exceptions for most anyone, not just big players.
If you have an app that cannot use the siri remote reasonably, they will make an exception. You will have to make your case though.
Here is the conversation analog:
Apple: You have to support the siri remote.
Developer: Can't. There is no reasonable way to utilize the siri remote to approximate playing a guitar.
Apple: Sorry. It's a rule.
Developer: Ok. What is your suggestion as to how to use the siri remote to approximate playing the guitar without violating other App Store rules(play-ability, etc.) ?
Apple: Ok fine you have an exception. But just this once.
Apple has allowed me exceptions personally, and they do it for others all the time under reasonable circumstances. Exceptions are exceptions, and rules are only made to cover the 99%.
They will stand on the rule most times, but you can compel them to compare your use case against the spirit of the rule under certain circumstances.
It makes sense not to have a glut of apps that cannot play on the Apple TV as it comes out of the box.
Clearly, they had to weigh which was worse for the platform... allowing ONE (or a few) game(s) that didn't support the stock controller, or not having that game available at all on Apple TV. It's a pretty popular game... so easy answer.
There is precedent for this on other platforms as well for the same game (Xbox, etc.)
That said; Is it easier for a game studio to argue for an exception for a popular game than somebody like me... of course!! It's based on popularity, not the size of the company behind it. The company behind it is likely big because the game is popular.
I'm willing to bet you would never see an exception for French Horn Hero, even if it is made by the same company as Guitar Hero.
Apple historically has made exceptions for most anyone, not just big players.
If you have an app that cannot use the siri remote reasonably, they will make an exception. You will have to make your case though.
Here is the conversation analog:
Apple: You have to support the siri remote.
Developer: Can't. There is no reasonable way to utilize the siri remote to approximate playing a guitar.
Apple: Sorry. It's a rule.
Developer: Ok. What is your suggestion as to how to use the siri remote to approximate playing the guitar without violating other App Store rules(play-ability, etc.) ?
Apple: Ok fine you have an exception. But just this once.
Apple has allowed me exceptions personally, and they do it for others all the time under reasonable circumstances. Exceptions are exceptions, and rules are only made to cover the 99%.
They will stand on the rule most times, but you can compel them to compare your use case against the spirit of the rule under certain circumstances.
It makes sense not to have a glut of apps that cannot play on the Apple TV as it comes out of the box.
Clearly, they had to weigh which was worse for the platform... allowing ONE (or a few) game(s) that didn't support the stock controller, or not having that game available at all on Apple TV. It's a pretty popular game... so easy answer.
There is precedent for this on other platforms as well for the same game (Xbox, etc.)
That said; Is it easier for a game studio to argue for an exception for a popular game than somebody like me... of course!! It's based on popularity, not the size of the company behind it. The company behind it is likely big because the game is popular.
I'm willing to bet you would never see an exception for French Horn Hero, even if it is made by the same company as Guitar Hero.
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There was an FPS recently released onto the ATV store, I forget the name of it, but it's a typical generic soldiery multiplayer arena shooter thing. Totally generic and forgettable stuff, but graphically one of the better ATV games. (it looks like a very, very low rent Xbox 360 game) It's "playable" on the remote, but is such a staggeringly horrible experience as to render the game completely broken. When switching to a real controller, the game suddenly becomes the generic third person arena shooter it was designed to be.
Apple's policy is idiotic. It's ideology over reality. Many, even most games need buttons and sticks. Take them away, and the games are broken. It's really that simple, and for the sake of game developers trying to make ATV games I hope Apple realise that sooner rather than later. Apple's policy doesn't even make sense for ATV owners, as it will mean many will get a horrible, horrible experience with the platform as a gaming device.
Apple's policy is idiotic. It's ideology over reality. Many, even most games need buttons and sticks. Take them away, and the games are broken. It's really that simple, and for the sake of game developers trying to make ATV games I hope Apple realise that sooner rather than later. Apple's policy doesn't even make sense for ATV owners, as it will mean many will get a horrible, horrible experience with the platform as a gaming device.
Right now the issue is simply that the Apple TV ships with only the Siri Remote, and so it would be bad for a large portion of games to not support it.
I do agree the experience of many games suffer as you describe unless a 3rd party remote is purchased. That said, this is an issue with high visibility, and as such there are some solutions to this issue underway. I expect policy will be adjusted once those become available.
Stay tuned...
The solution should be so simple. Just have a large graphic on every app page telling people if a game requires a controller. When a download/purchase is initiated ask if the player has a controller and that they agree that the app they are downloading will not function with the remote. When the game itself loads, again show a huge controller required graphic.
Also, there is that app "Get Channels" that requires that you have HDHomeRun , digital channel reciever, so there's that, too.