Is Apple preparing a game console?

Might be looking at it with a new AppleTV-like box
The rumors are once again finding their way to us from a number of sources suggesting that Apple is apparently again looking at the possibility of offering their own gaming console of some type.

The reason for this is apparently that Apple would like to further expand the iOS platform; and it comes as no surprise that the majority of the best selling applications for the iOS platform happen to be games, and this is something that Apple maybe didn’t think was going to happen, but it has.

Apple’s best ticket into a gaming console of some sort is said to be a very robust and upgraded AppleTV box that would apparently use the A5 processor, which would yield somewhere between five times to as much as seven times the horsepower seen in the previous generations. That could be the ticket for Apple to move into this space.

[movements]

I hope so. And that console looks good...I know it's a mockup..

[EYEamNUMBER1]

why would you hope so?
what would apple have to offer that 1 of the other 3 doesn't already? (besides an overpriced console)

[NukaCola]

I think Apple would do a D2D/STEAM kind of thing, but it would mostly be App Ports and maybe something like OnLive. I see of it as an added feature to a future AppleTV box, not a full fledge game system.

[tehpees3]

Wasn't Pippin a game console?

[Stevo91]

Whats the matter with apple making a console? more competition the better imo, there not gonna force people to buy it..

[qface64]

@Stevo91

tell that to the 1970's

[RankFTW]

The iMince coming out 2012 for only £1200.

[captain-obvious]

it'll only cost 999.99$

[qface64]

wasn't that flop the aplple tv also supposed to act like a game console? how did that turn out?

[Blaze929]

no, it wasn't.

[Led-Zeppelin]

It sold millions, but still not supposed to be a console.

[warrior9988]

then we'd get a new version every year with very high price tag so little changes

[MostJadedGamer]

4 consoles would not be good for the market. Unless either Sony or MS leaves it would not at all be a good idea for apple to enter the market.

[lelo2play]

"Is Apple preparing a game console?"

... and it will cost 1000€

[jammy_70]

I'll tell ya something!!! N4g needs an app for iPod/ iPhone/ pad....

[the_union_of_PS360]

Yes they do!!! My pc is broke and I'm using my iPhone and the website lags a lot

[iamtehpwn]

Apple already has a console. It's called iPhone. iOS devices (iphone, ipad, itouch) are Apples gaming platform, and will continue to be.

[Blaze929]

a game system with a new version every year? no thanks

[Spitfire_Riggz]

They already have a gaming console... the MAC!!! AAAAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sorry that was too funny

[slavish3]

Be nice to have more then 3, hope so!!!!!!!

[omi25p]

hope not, they would release a new one every year it will have 1 new feature and they will charge full retail price, then 6 months later release the same thing in white and still sell thousands...

[Emilio_Estevez]

idk about this idea. Competition is always good, but apple I just don't know if it is.

[MostJadedGamer]

As far as video games consoles go competition is NOT awlays good. 4 consoles is just too many, and it divides the market too much. It would NOT be good for either the industry or for gamers.

[White-Sharingan]

What are you talking about? Why can TV's have dozens of brands, phones, blu-ray players, computers, etc. yet video game consoles can't?

Having more big companies making consoles would mean that the big three will need to be more aggressive, better prices, more games.

[MostJadedGamer]

"White-Sharingan + 1h ago What are you talking about? Why can TV's have dozens of brands, phones, blu-ray players, computers, etc. yet video game consoles can't?

Having more big companies making consoles would mean that the big three will need to be more aggressive, better prices, more games."

It would really hurt 3rd parties because it would force them to either take on the added expense, and resources of developing for more consoles or force them to lose out on profits in developing for less consoles in a more fragmented market with smaller console userbases since the pie would be split 4 ways instead of 3.

As for gamers it forces them to either buy, and support more consoles or miss out on games.

Basically it means more 3rd party companies going out of business, and less games for gamers. It would be terrible for the industry, and for gamers.

The best thing for the video game industry, and for gamers would be to only have 2 consoles. That would be the perfect number.

[White-Sharingan]

@MostJadedGamer- By your theory, it would be best for everyone to have only one consoles in the business. Why would you say two? look at sony and microsoft, they both started at very high numbers and practically didn't even budge their prices, especially taking into account that the Wii was also being sold.

"It would really hurt 3rd parties because it would force them to either take on the added expense, and resources of developing for more consoles or force them to lose out on profits in developing for less consoles in a more fragmented market with smaller console userbases since the pie would be split 4 ways instead of 3. "

-The market isn't entirely that predictable. It also depends on what group of people the company making the console is aiming for. Look at the wii, such high numbers in sale, but poor third party sales, unless they are party games. Also, sometimes for some reason, exclusive games sell more compared to their multiplatform brothers.

I don't see why adding one more platform to the race would affect third parties. Last generations third party devs would make their games on all three consoles, since all three consoles were pretty equal in graphical power (I am aware that Xbox>GCN>PS2, but only slightly), but this generation most are just releasing and developing their games on two platforms, 360 and PS3. Devs weren't suffering back then when they developed for three consoles, I don't see why they can't do it right now. They can also go the lazy route and just port the games, its not like they aren't doing that right now.

[rabidpancakeburglar]

If they are then it'll be good to have another console option but I suspect it would be a fail console

[gamingisnotacrime]

so they get owned

[awiseman]

doubt it, the apple fanboys will eat it up and claim its the best console.

Ladies and gentlemen: The Ipoop! Only the best line up of games! IFace, Ifire, Ishoot, Ifly...etc

[Cosmo811]

"So uh, how do I send a message to a friend?"
"You can't."
"So why did I pay £1500 for this thing?"
"Don't worry, *that's a feature*".

[Raendom]

If so... it means Apple want their apps on your TV, it's a hugely profitable market for them and I could see it being a huge success.

[JsonHenry]

It will cost more than the rest, have less features, and sell all the "apps" at a higher price than everyone else. But hey, it is a small price to pay to fit in with the hipster crowd, right?

[Der_Kommandant]

They'll be launching a new console every year

[Max_Dissatisfaction]

$1299 for a console? No thanx

[KillerPwned]

We are still beating this horse? Its possible but if it happens i don`t think i would really be interested. I rather sick with Nintendo and Sony. Apple would have to do something outstanding to win me over.

[metsgaming]

Then would take a huge chunk of the casual market thats for sure.

[Neko_Mega]

Nintendo and Apple, Wii App.

Their, that would be a system.

[VampiricDragon_]

the last thing we need is a 4th system

3 is too much, I think.

what do we need a fourth platform with multiplats? really?

What benefit would it have? Apple doesnt have any internal studios nor have they said they have any interest in having them like microsoft ( in a way) so it would be mostly a multiplat system like the 360

[mastiffchild]

Onlive shot it's bolt too early, sadly in many ways, but cloud based gaming is coming and right now the console market(at home) would struggle to support a newcomer even of Apple's size. What killer apps for a home console would they have to compete with those IPs owned by Sony, Ninty and MS? The only way into it, as a decent risk, imho, for Apple is to partner up with one of the others(can't see a hook up with MS EVER either)when the jump to mainly cloud based, no disc based gaming becomes the norm.

As it stands though-what would be in it for a Sony or a Nintendo to hook up with Apple? Maybe a partnership with EA or Acti would be more possible, who knows but alone I don't see the games to support a new system and you need exclusives else why back a new horse with a race involving known thoroughbreds? Apps won't hack it for home gamers, i just don't see why you'd bother for casual stuff over a PC-seriously, why? It's cheaper than Apple would want you to pay and, hell, even a Mac would seem more sensible to me.

Maybe I'm missing something obvious as the continued success of their lacking style over substance lifestyle range bemuses the hell out of me(honestly why Apple when there's Android?)so I could have this all way, way wrong but I see no point in them entering this market at all-and not with a big shift in gaming's prime media coming up either. Steam on Macs already-zxso I don't see the point or hope in Apple going home console. Massive risk with no unique gaming selling point.

[clrlite]

Not interested, I'm happy with my Playstation 3, etc. until the new generation of the current consoles are released.

I'm hoping apple do the right thing and stay the $#@% out of the gaming industry. If they try to make gaming sheek and elitist I will barf a little bit.

[KDubyah]

If they made a good system, didn't overprice it, didn't make tons of revisions..
If they made actual games, plus their apps, gave iPod, iPhone, and iTunes capabilities.
Then I think they would be a good contender in the console industry, they have the money.
Apple could go buy out good studios & create plenty of game studios for exclusive games.

[HeavenlySnipes]

They'd make a new one every year lol.

[Ares84]

If so, be prepared to pay $1000 or more for a console.

[Cosmit]

If they are, they should probably wait when the next ps/xboxs start rolling out.

[maturefan]

If i was Apple, i would do this:

i would release an update to the appleTV as the article says, it owuld cost 99$, it connects to the appstore, you download games, etc. but then i would make a controller similar to the ngp and the wii 2 controller, with a touchscreen just like the iphone, and with dual joystick, so you get to play all the touch apps and the new advanced AAA titles.

that is a console i would like to have.

[Nes_Daze]

Please no, it would be the iGame, after three weeks, iGame 2, after a month, iGame 3 and all cost $700 each....Unless they have a better plan, they should stick to ripping off cellphone and laptop users.

[Incipio]

Ok I love my Apple hardware, I really do.

But...I hope if iOS is used...that they expand the capabilities of it greatly, or people will jailbreak and pirate the hell out of every game so fast Apple will wish they had stuck to handhelds and phones...because large publishers will abandon them like a leper with bubonic plague. They already have to deal with piracy enough on Apple's currently existing devices...

[JMyers]

I don't really want to see a fourth player, but if there ever is one then I'd like it to be SEGA (which we know won't happen)

If Apple does do something in the future, then I see it to be more something like OnLive through a partnership or similar scheme.

[iNFAMOUZ1]

Oh god no, icrap i mean iphone is bad enough we dont need apples preppy copy cats flooding our beautiful game console war waters. Sony and microsoft and nintendo are enough.

[death2smoochie]

It will have Colecovision style hardware and Amiga style graphics and cost Neo-Geo launch prices...
The Apple way of doing things

[B00M]

Hope not. We'd see a new one released every year! "now with a camera, with a front facing camera, with wireless, with a slimmer sleeker body, with 1 usb slot, with 2 usb slots..."

[NnT3291]

So we're going to have Angry bird in next gen graphics?

[NotSoSilentBob]

With the price of their desktops and Laptops I do think they would give the Launch price of PS3 a run for highest value.

[Kyur4ThePain]

Apple have had so much success with their products lately that the fear seen here is quite understandable.
For all those opposed to the idea, just remember that nobody will force you to buy it. The fact that millions of people will support it shouldn't bother you (though, obviously it does).

Oh, and for those already whining about the price (of a non-existent product)...funny how no one has been able to match the iPad on price vs features yet, isn't it?

[btk]

iGame. Sounds cool.
They are innovative in interface design. With all the online music and videos already on offer with iTunes etc - they just need to add a cool controller. The pads are already capable enough as game consoles. Just take the screen out, HDMI output - add controllers and they are there. Already games out of Mac.

[Cosmo811]

Please god no. Can you *imagine* the kinds of DRM and Approval Processes games would have to go through? Knowing Apple, they'd ban all 18+ games, have next-to-no social features, have no blu-ray, no motion controls; and they'd use all those as "features".

[ATiElite]

NO! Nope! and No again!

Apple has iphone and Steam on Mac. video game console would require Apple to pander to 12 years olds thus taking away from their uptight, ultra trendy, latte drinking, Starbucks loving crowd of MORONS who like to buy overpriced electronics every year. I say Mororns because it's well known that Macs are people too stupid to use a PC.

Sure 12 years olds already have iphones ipods and whatever ishit that comes out but Apple doesn't market to them directly but a console would require that pinpoint marketing and Apple would loose their luster. Plus Steve Jobs already said "gaming consoles are not of Apples forward thinking or concern".

so no iConsole from Apple....but if they did make one it would have twin Xeon processors 12GB of ram a shitty GPU from last gen a case made out of aluminum and glass (which i like), a 500GB SSD and cost $2500 for the cheap version and you would have to buy another one in two years. but you would be espresso cool and i'm sure it would be in Sex in the city 3

[Aarix]

until they have "True" first party support for all idevices then i dont think thats a good idea.