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Apple TV Games Must Work With Apple TV Remote, May Not Require External Controller
When creating games and apps for the new Apple TV, developers are required to build in support for the touch-based remote, making all content accessible to all users without the need for additional accessories like an MFi controller.
As noted by developer Dustin Westphal and shared by our sister site Touch Arcade, Apple's App Programming Guide for the tvOS says the following: "Your game must support the Apple TV remote. Your game may not require the use of a controller."
The new Apple TV works with third-party Bluetooth controllers, but because they are an optional accessory, they are not allowed to be the primary input method for a game. This requirement will force developers who want to build games around controller use to also include a touch or motion-based control scheme for use with the Apple TV remote.
As Touch Arcade points out, the requirement is bound to be a hassle for developers, especially those with games that have complicated control schemes.
Apple's choice to require support for the Apple TV is not surprising, as it also has the same requirements for iOS devices. Developers can build controller support into their iPhone and iPad apps, but apps must also include touch-based control schemes for users who do not have a controller.
As noted by developer Dustin Westphal and shared by our sister site Touch Arcade, Apple's App Programming Guide for the tvOS says the following: "Your game must support the Apple TV remote. Your game may not require the use of a controller."
The new Apple TV works with third-party Bluetooth controllers, but because they are an optional accessory, they are not allowed to be the primary input method for a game. This requirement will force developers who want to build games around controller use to also include a touch or motion-based control scheme for use with the Apple TV remote.
As Touch Arcade points out, the requirement is bound to be a hassle for developers, especially those with games that have complicated control schemes.
There will be games that will have control schemes that are too complicated for the remote, for sure. What if Apple rejects apps that feature terrible controls for the remote, designed only to achieve the bare minimum functionality? Or developers with complicated controls decide to skip making their app compatible with the Apple TV because it won't be worth it? Ideally, we don't want to get to a point where games aren't coming to the Apple TV, or being actively rejected, because they won't fit the remote.Apple appears to have originally planned to allow developers to require a game controller to play Apple TV games, but the company later nixed that policy and is now requiring all games to support the Apple TV remote in addition to a controller.
Apple's choice to require support for the Apple TV is not surprising, as it also has the same requirements for iOS devices. Developers can build controller support into their iPhone and iPad apps, but apps must also include touch-based control schemes for users who do not have a controller.
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)
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41 months ago
Thus driving a nail in the coffin for any companies interested in making good games for it.
No one on earth is going to buy this for its gaming capabilities.
Why even bother if you need to be able to control it with that disaster of a remote?
The NES is 30+ years old and is a more capable gaming machine than the Apple TV.
No one on earth is going to buy this for its gaming capabilities.
Why even bother if you need to be able to control it with that disaster of a remote?
The NES is 30+ years old and is a more capable gaming machine than the Apple TV.
41 months ago
If that's the case Apple should create their own real controller and include it with the Apple TV.
41 months ago
They probably don't want to have to deal with the inevitable onslaught of "I bought this game and I didn't know I needed to buy some accessory! I want a refund!" (even though the requirements were listed right on the app page).
41 months ago
Not surprising. Many customers would complain if they needed to buy an additional accessory. People with 3rd party controllers will just be getting the high scores ;)
41 months ago
Thus driving a nail in the coffin for any companies interested in making good games for it.
No one on earth is going to buy this for its gaming capabilities.
Why even bother if you need to be able to control it with that disaster of a remote?
The NES is 30+ years old and is a more capable gaming machine than the Apple TV.
You don't NEED to.
All this means is that games have to work with the included remote, not that developers CAN'T support third-party controllers. They just can't require that you buy one to use the game at all.
41 months ago
Well there goes Guitar Hero / Rock Band, which was specifically talked about @ the Keynote.
41 months ago
I can see consumers buying games and not realizing a controller is needed and then trying to get a refund on the game or something...No matter how clearly they put on the app store page for the game "EXTRA CONTROLLER NEEDED, DOES NOT WORK WITH REMOTE" you know a billion people are gonna buy it anyways and then complain/be upset when it doesnt work with the remote and leave 1 star reviews "DIDNT WORK WITH MY REMOTE!!! AVOID THIS GAME ITS A SCAM"....the problem is people are dumb....
41 months ago
How is it Apple develops a $99 "Pencil" accessory but they can't see the value of developing a dedicated game pad accessory?
41 months ago
Entire genres of games will simply not happen on this platform.
It doesn't matter though, because the TV set top box is already a proven failure for gaming.
It doesn't matter though, because the TV set top box is already a proven failure for gaming.
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