Apple Video Game Console? [Updated]
Appleinsider publishes more information relating to Prudential analyst Jesse Tortora's claims that Apple may have a longer term interest in the video game market:
Tortura speculates a gaming console device could be "morphed" out of a combination of the existing Mac mini and iTV, as well as the possibility of a handheld gaming device based on the iPod.
Clearly, entering such a competitive market would be difficult, but the analyst speculates that Apple may be feeling some pressure from potential iTunes competitors in the form of movie-download services tied to the latest consoles.
Rumors of Apple's entry into the gaming market are not new, as there have been previous reports of Apple actively recruiting game developers, but in his research note, Tortura reportedly claims that Apple has hired new software and hardware game developers.
Update: iLounge publishes an interview with iPod product marketing director, Stan Ng, who acknowledges there is a team at Apple focused on iPod games, and did the development of two of the current iPod games at Apple. The team is currently working with 3rd party developers to bring more games to the iPod.
"We think the video game market represents a distinct possibility for Apple, especially considering that it recently announced the availability of video games for its iPod through its iTunes"
Tortura speculates a gaming console device could be "morphed" out of a combination of the existing Mac mini and iTV, as well as the possibility of a handheld gaming device based on the iPod.
Clearly, entering such a competitive market would be difficult, but the analyst speculates that Apple may be feeling some pressure from potential iTunes competitors in the form of movie-download services tied to the latest consoles.
Rumors of Apple's entry into the gaming market are not new, as there have been previous reports of Apple actively recruiting game developers, but in his research note, Tortura reportedly claims that Apple has hired new software and hardware game developers.
Update: iLounge publishes an interview with iPod product marketing director, Stan Ng, who acknowledges there is a team at Apple focused on iPod games, and did the development of two of the current iPod games at Apple. The team is currently working with 3rd party developers to bring more games to the iPod.
Top Rated Comments
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68 months ago
If Apple could release some kind of box that you connect to your Mac to augment it's graphical and general gaming performance, that would play existing games and then develop 1st party games for it, I'd be first in line.
But it'd have to work with bootcamp.
I don't see a regular console though. The market is saturated as it is. Get gaming sorted on Macs first.
But it'd have to work with bootcamp.
I don't see a regular console though. The market is saturated as it is. Get gaming sorted on Macs first.
68 months ago
No way. If apple ever was to do this (disregarding their first attempt), they would not be looking into it now. With the ultimate failure of the PS3, I'd think they'd be very cautious to enter the gaming market.
Unless they're working on a handheld, which I could almost see them developing, for release in a year. I'm skeptical.
EDIT: And just because game consoles are offering movie downloads does not mean that Apple's iTunes store needs to offer true games. And what's with everyone corrolating Apple with Nintendo?
Unless they're working on a handheld, which I could almost see them developing, for release in a year. I'm skeptical.
EDIT: And just because game consoles are offering movie downloads does not mean that Apple's iTunes store needs to offer true games. And what's with everyone corrolating Apple with Nintendo?
68 months ago
Sounds like a bad idea to me.
Maybe a partnership or something like that could work where apple allows iTunes to be compatible with an existing console, but apple making their own console gaming machine sounds like it just won't work.
Remember the Pippin?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin
Maybe a partnership or something like that could work where apple allows iTunes to be compatible with an existing console, but apple making their own console gaming machine sounds like it just won't work.
Remember the Pippin?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin
68 months ago
ya, I think this buying season shows how competitive the gaming console market is. That being said, it's not hard to imagine that Apple is at least seriously keeping tabs on this area, just to remain competitive.
arn
arn
68 months ago
Is a gaming console from Apple really necessary? They should just partner up with nintendo or buy them if they really want to get into that market. Nintendo is the Apple of the gaming market as it is now. It would be an interesting combination.
68 months ago
Historically, there has been a division between the style of computer games and console games, but that line has been getting progressively thinner. It would be interesting if Apple managed to blur it more, and launch a successful video game console with games that were also Mac compatible... It would be very, very difficult to pull of, but it could reshape the whole landscape of home electronics.
Many companies are trying to create one device that handles all things digital, and does it in the main stream (Sony and Microsoft included), and Apple is in at least as good of a position to pull it off as anyone else is.
Many companies are trying to create one device that handles all things digital, and does it in the main stream (Sony and Microsoft included), and Apple is in at least as good of a position to pull it off as anyone else is.
68 months ago
How are we to know that maybe Apple is hiring these people to start work on incorporating Game download into iTunes? Aspyr said they were going to offer something similar this fall, which never came to fruitition.
Apple would be nuts to try and enter the gaming market at this moment. Xbox 360 is the new king of the hill, Wii is making a new hill for itself and PS3 has disappointed too many people to be a threat over the course of the next 6-12 months. If Sony goes deep six and the Wii eats a bad Mario mushroom, falls over and dies, then Apple could consider throwing their hat into the ring.
Along with iTunes downloads maybe Apple is really looking at getting aggressive with the hard core PC gamers. Think about it, Apple has gotten into the minds of average consumers and close to being an office notion, but what market is currently almost impossible to break into... PC Gamers.
You ask any hard core PC Gamer if they would switch to Apple and they would laugh at you. This is the perfect next "Get a Mac" or "Switchers" style of marketing warfare.
Apple would be nuts to try and enter the gaming market at this moment. Xbox 360 is the new king of the hill, Wii is making a new hill for itself and PS3 has disappointed too many people to be a threat over the course of the next 6-12 months. If Sony goes deep six and the Wii eats a bad Mario mushroom, falls over and dies, then Apple could consider throwing their hat into the ring.
Along with iTunes downloads maybe Apple is really looking at getting aggressive with the hard core PC gamers. Think about it, Apple has gotten into the minds of average consumers and close to being an office notion, but what market is currently almost impossible to break into... PC Gamers.
You ask any hard core PC Gamer if they would switch to Apple and they would laugh at you. This is the perfect next "Get a Mac" or "Switchers" style of marketing warfare.
68 months ago
Along with iTunes downloads maybe Apple is really looking at getting aggressive with the hard core PC gamers. Think about it, Apple has gotten into the minds of average consumers and close to being an office notion, but what market is currently almost impossible to break into... PC Gamers.
You ask any hard core PC Gamer if they would switch to Apple and they would laugh at you. This is the perfect next "Get a Mac" or "Switchers" style of marketing warfare.
This is a good point. What if Apple's just looking into getting more games for the Mac? And have them available to download on iTunes? That doesn't seem as outlandish as a video game console like the Pippin to compete with the 360 or Wii.
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