Speculation: What Happens When Apple Enters the Videogame Market?

[Sullla]

First of all, great post from TheSource. Obviously it's all speculation, but what a read!

I could see Apple trying their hand at a handheld device, since their iPhone is already approaching many of those functions. I'm much less convinced that they would put out a console anytime soon. It's pretty doubtful that the console market is strong enough to support even the current three competitors (ever since Microsoft entered, someone has consistently lost VERY large sums of money. Actually, someone was taking huge losses even in the 5th generation with three competitors, Sega.) It's virtually certain that the market can't support four profitable competitors - to say nothing of what effect that would have on third party developers. Still, crazier things have happened. It seems like pretty much every electronics company has tried to make a console at some point, almost all of which were dismal failures.

Another point bears mentioning. Some are posting here that it's "impossible" for Apple to enter the market because Apple is not a proven brand in gaming. I know this may be difficult to believe, but before 1994 Sony had essentially no history in gaming either. In the early 1990s, there was no such thing as a Sony fanboy, if you can believe it. Sony delivered the games, and the fans followed. If anything, it would be easier for Apple, since the company already has a rabid Mac fanbase.

Just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean it can't happen.