iGame:Is Apple "i-Ing" Your Living Room?
When Apple first unleashed the iPhone on the world, their attitude towards gaming was lackluster, to be polite. That has all changed, in no small part, to the run away success of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Need proof? Look no further than Apple's recently launched giant iPod iPad and the just announced iPhone OS 4.0.
The #1 complaint that I (and quite a few other people) have had about iPhone/iPod gaming was that your fingers usually get in the way of the action. It's a bit difficult to see the action on screen, especially if you have manly thumbs like I do. The introduction of the iPad has addressed this and really changed the landscape of portable gaming. It's large screen has all but eliminated the finger obstruction issue that plagued it's little brother and it's powerful (relative to other portables) processor makes a very attractive and desirable portable gaming device.
Apple has also revealed what it is calling the Game Center. This is basically Apple's version of XBLA; users will be able to see what their friends are playing, send game invites and maybe even earn trophies/achievements.
None of this is a mere coincidence or natural evolution. Apple has realized that gaming, whether they like it or not, is an integral part of their mobile business. Now that Steve has become aware of the cash cow that is gaming, it is only a matter of time before we are introduced to some type of home console. Steve Jobs has instilled a conquer all mentality when it comes to Apple's business model and now that gaming is being taken seriously in Cupertino, you have to assume that it is coming.
While it is difficult to even imagine a market that could support a 4th console, if there is any company that could make it happen, it's Apple. Let's think about what Apple has going for them: they have no problem building a quality machine, so we probably don't have to worry about anything like the "Red Ring of Death". Graphical power has never been an issue for Macs and now that Intel is their BFF, developers should be greeted with a more friendly development environment. Also, Apple has perhaps the most brilliant marketing team in the history of consumer goods. They could probably market and sell a product called iPoo successfully, so they will have absolutely no problem convincing us to buy one of their consoles for each room in our house. Oh yah, one last thing, DEEP Pockets. It took a few years, but it worked well for Microsoft.
Most of you reading this probably think that I am crazy. Maybe so, but in 2012, when Apple announces their iGame, iPlay or whatever they decide to call their wonder console, remember this post (bookmark it) so I can say that I told you so.
When Apple first unleashed the iPhone on the world, their attitude towards gaming was lackluster, to be polite. That has all changed, in no small part, to the run away success of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Need proof? Look no further than Apple's recently launched giant iPod iPad and the just announced iPhone OS 4.0.
The #1 complaint that I (and quite a few other people) have had about iPhone/iPod gaming was that your fingers usually get in the way of the action. It's a bit difficult to see the action on screen, especially if you have manly thumbs like I do. The introduction of the iPad has addressed this and really changed the landscape of portable gaming. It's large screen has all but eliminated the finger obstruction issue that plagued it's little brother and it's powerful (relative to other portables) processor makes a very attractive and desirable portable gaming device.
Apple has also revealed what it is calling the Game Center. This is basically Apple's version of XBLA; users will be able to see what their friends are playing, send game invites and maybe even earn trophies/achievements.
None of this is a mere coincidence or natural evolution. Apple has realized that gaming, whether they like it or not, is an integral part of their mobile business. Now that Steve has become aware of the cash cow that is gaming, it is only a matter of time before we are introduced to some type of home console. Steve Jobs has instilled a conquer all mentality when it comes to Apple's business model and now that gaming is being taken seriously in Cupertino, you have to assume that it is coming.
While it is difficult to even imagine a market that could support a 4th console, if there is any company that could make it happen, it's Apple. Let's think about what Apple has going for them: they have no problem building a quality machine, so we probably don't have to worry about anything like the "Red Ring of Death". Graphical power has never been an issue for Macs and now that Intel is their BFF, developers should be greeted with a more friendly development environment. Also, Apple has perhaps the most brilliant marketing team in the history of consumer goods. They could probably market and sell a product called iPoo successfully, so they will have absolutely no problem convincing us to buy one of their consoles for each room in our house. Oh yah, one last thing, DEEP Pockets. It took a few years, but it worked well for Microsoft.
Most of you reading this probably think that I am crazy. Maybe so, but in 2012, when Apple announces their iGame, iPlay or whatever they decide to call their wonder console, remember this post (bookmark it) so I can say that I told you so.
