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Forums - Gaming - Apple and Google to announce official game controllers soon.

superchunk on 29 March 2013

POCKETGAMER ARTICLE

"Long rumoured - and hoped for - GDC 2013 has finally provided confirmation that Apple will release its own dedicated game controller.

Of course, there's no official word yet, but Apple has been active during the conference talking to developers about its plans and ensuring plenty of games will support the joypad at launch.

It's been operating a meeting room at the show, albeit booked under a pseudonym company name to avoid media attention.

However, speaking anonymously, multiple developer sources have confirmed the news to PocketGamer.biz.

It's expected Apple will formally announce its plans during its annual April press event; previously this has been centred around the iPad.

Many things remain unknown, though.

None of our contacts had seen or held the physical device so we don't know if the pad will take a conventional approach or employ a radical new design.

Following recent mishaps, Apple doesn't let unreleased hardware leave its closely guarded offices.

Neither are we sure when the pad will be released.

It would be logical for it to hit retail alongside a new iPad, but given the opportunities a dedicated controller would provide in the living room, we'd expect it to be part of a large announcement also revealing Apple's wide TV strategy, including a direct assault on the console businesses of Sony and Microsoft.

The news follows on from an explosion in third-party controllers from iOS and Android devices during 2012.

This has come from dedicated peripheral companies like MOGA and Nyko, as well as start ups such as Green Throttle, and even unconsole players like Ouya and GameStick, for whom a physical controller is a vital part of their plans to disrupt the console business.

Another example of the important of a game pad to big business was Samsung's surprise announcement of its Game Pad at the Galaxy S4 launch.

And to complete the picture, one developer source also told us that Google will be making its own announcement about an official game controller in the near future too."

I said this last year than in 2013 we'd see a major push by Apple and Google into home console gaming. This year we'll see revamped TV connected devices runnging the companies respective OS all pushing gaming in a strong manner. This is why MSony/Nintendo really needed to push services beyond gaming this coming generation. As I pointed out in THIS thread. Keep in mind that this will surely encompass not only the $.99 games but also the digital releases of big console games likely through various streaming options.

Unfortunately, Nintendo didn't fully grasp this and didn't go far enough IMO. Sony seems to be doing a lot of it with the PS4 and quite possibly all that is required out of a TV connected device. But part of that remains to be seen. MS will definitely be there though.

I personally can't wait to see Google's approach.



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NiKKoM on 29 March 2013

You're all doomed! Victory will be for us!!



 

Face the future.. Gamecenter ID: nikkom_nl (oh no he didn't!!) 

the2real4mafol on 29 March 2013

It will be interesting to see how these connect to the phones and certainly proves both companies wrong that touch screen is the only way to go for everything. Maybe it will work like the Razer Edge does but without the extortionate prices.



Xbox Series, PS5 and Switch (+ Many Retro Consoles)

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wfz on 29 March 2013

With all of these different aspects of the gaming world colliding, driven by major corporations, something is going to give.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will not all be able to survive this generation in a healthy state.



cunger on 29 March 2013

A direct assualt on the console business on Sony and Microsoft.. I'll believe that when I see it. Apple better pony up and start selling gaming hardware at a loss just like Microsoft and Sony and they also better pony up and create 5 to 10 amazing game development companies or else there will be zero assualt on Sony and Microsoft gaming business.  Apple is much more likely to go with weak hardware in Apple TV that is similar to ouya.   Or alternatively they have been removed to go super high end with their television and support Ultra HD which will basically just be targeting the weather doctors and lawyers ect.



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cunger on 29 March 2013
wfz said:
With all of these different aspects of the gaming world colliding, driven by major corporations, something is going to give.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will not all be able to survive this generation in a healthy state.


I think Nintendo is positioned well in this going forward. Sony and Microsoft are still thinking too small. They are trying to create your one and only game machine that you need. Wheras Nintendo has something that will be more affordable and will focus on unique Nintendo styled exclusive games so it will be something that has appeal to people no matter what else they own or want to own.



Munkeh111 on 29 March 2013
wfz said:
With all of these different aspects of the gaming world colliding, driven by major corporations, something is going to give.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will not all be able to survive this generation in a healthy state.

Cause Sony is currently in such a great state....

Anyway, I do think that Apple and Google are big threats. People will buy anything with an Apple logo on and both have such vast resources that they can sell these things at a massive loss until they destroy Sony at the very least. M$ has plenty of cash resources to fight them so long as they act sensibly

I worry greatly about the future of traditional gaming, but hopefully I am just being pessimistic



superchunk on 29 March 2013
wfz said:
With all of these different aspects of the gaming world colliding, driven by major corporations, something is going to give.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will not all be able to survive this generation in a healthy state.

My take:

Apple/Google will enter strong and do well based off of what they have learned already from their various products. They will have all the service content as that comes by default for them and they will gain a significant amount of 3rd party AAA content. From streaming to content delivered directly to their many devices.

MS is going to be fine, mostly. They already have the peices in place with a suitable OS across all of its platforms and a strong gaming/TV connected presence.

Nintendo is going to be fine as 3DS proves that it can survive strong encroachment into its markets through its strong and unique first party content combined with a relatively low priced approach.

Sony is the only one with a bit of grey area here. From all accounts it seems like they are going to put out a well-designed peice of hardware that should be able to not only provide quality console gaming but also all of the TV based smart/entertainment services a mass consumer might want. However, what is yet to be seen is exactly how they will approach these services, if at all, and at what price the hardware will come to market. If they limit their approach too much and/or cost too much, they will be swamped by the others. I think Vita best illustrates this concern as it is being swamped by a healthy 3DS and a surging Apple/Google phone/tablet market. Vita is a solid peice of hardware, but its price and limited services are overshadowing its game content.