Could an Apple and Valve Union Spell Doom For The Big 3?

T-Hill writes: So I know this was brought up the other day but I think many might not have realized how impactful on the gaming industry this could be. Anyone who knows Apple is sure to be aware that right now they have the public eye of the entire world for their iProducts. Unless you have been living under a rock for several years now you would be aware of how Valve and its Steam service have simply dominated the digital gaming distribution market.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Always three there are. No more. No less.

Nintendo = Disney of Gaming
Microsoft = Scrappy American Upstart
Sony = Pioneers of Digital Entertainment

One will drop out. The question is... which one.

[StrongMan]

Microsoft will be the one to drop out next gen if they think the casuals that bought Kinect will spend $400-$500 on the next Xbox next year. The core will turn their backs on MS next gen just like MS turned their backs on the core gamers ever since Kinect was released and they shifted all of their focus on Kinect. Halo don't sell like it used to and with a new studio CODifying Halo it will only get worse. Fable is now casual Kinect fodder, Forza 4 saw a huge drop off in sales compared to Forza 3 and the Gears trilogy is over. So............

[jdktech2010]

Isn't MS ahead of Sony? To go from nothing to ahead of Sony isn't too shabby in two gens. MS is poised to leap ahead of Sony in the next gen but I have a feeling Sony won't let that happen without a serious fight.

I'm looking forward to all the new consoles and this is actually the first time I'm legitimately interested in a nintendo console since the gamecube (when (I was like 12)

[Soldierone]

I don't think it will be MS. MS hates Apple as much as us gamers hate the idea of Apple pretending to be a game company.

MS will go head to head with them, tooth and nail. I think if Apple enters the market, their focus will be casual titles which is Nintendo's market.

If anything Nintendo and Sony will team up since they are both Japanese, or it will be one of them that jumps ship. IF Sony's next console slumps, which i HIGHLY doubt it will, they could be the one in question.

I think overall if there is eventually 4, the one stepping out will be the one that came in....Apple. They will most likely just disappear under radar like OnLive. it's clear actual gamers don't want their business ways.

[dark-hollow]

how ms will drop when the 360 and especially kinect was a huge success for them?

[Tai_Kaliso]

You are such a troll, Microsoft will capture the core audience the same way next generation as they did this one.
Microsoft is the only company to currently offer a premium online service, people will continue to flock to that to fulfill their gaming needs.

How is Halo not selling like it used to? Arguably the newer Halo games are outpacing the original Halo games by a large margin. With Master Chief back in the picture and the huge marketing campaign to match, you can count on Halo 4 to be the biggest and best selling exclusive this year. What exclusive from any company will top it?

As for your claim of Halo getting the COD treatment, that argument might work for lesser games like Killzone 3, Battlefield, Medal Of Honor and Resistance 2, but Halo has a much larger fanbase and doesn't need to follow suit, just so you know, COD didn't invent load outs and Halo is a far cry from a COD clone in a lot of ways.

Microsoft shifted focus to Kinect towards the end of an extended life cycle, but the core games like Battlefield, Halo, Gears, Call Of Duty, still sell better on the Xbox 360, so I guess all of those core gamers will jump ship next generation by your logic?

You honestly don't think we'll see more Gears Of War next generation?

I have yet to see any numbers from Forza 4, I know Forza 3 sold really well once the Platinum Edition came out with all the DLC, why wouldn't 4 pick up when it does the same? Still the best quality racing sim on the market.

Fable The Journey isn't Fable 4, Lionhead is hiring and will probably put out a proper Fable 4 to launch the next Xbox or there soon after.

Last I checked, Microsoft as a company wasn't bleeding money from every orifice. I don't think any of the current 3 will leave the console market anytime soon, but clearly Sony is in the worst shape lately, they took a big gamble on 3-D and that didn't pan out.

All Microsoft has done is capture North America, produce the fastest selling electronic device of all time and gives us great games and the best online available.

Doubt they want to leave all of that on the table.

[stragomccloud]

Honestly, I'm putting my money on Microsoft. Plus a lot of investors want Microsoft out of the games hardware business. Sony is an industry leader in so many facets, and Nintendo, Nintendo will just be around forever. Heck they've already been around since 1889, and their franchises since the 1980's are the most enduring game franchises of all time(short as that time may be).

[badz149]

Apple = overprice and release a slight upgrade of their products every year! how can anyone really believe that they will come out with a console that should stay the same for several years on the market is beyond me!

Valve = familiar with fan service, using old engine for their games for years both are not compatible to Apple's practices IMO!

no matter how you see it, this is a mismatch that will never happen!

[modesign]

nintendo, nintendo cant afford to make fads anymore.

[Crap_Turtle]

its a freaking false made up rumor

[stragomccloud]

It's not even a rumor. It's just speculation.

[GrumpyVeteran]

The apple pie is a lie.

[Megaman_nerd]

Unless they offer games that can't be played anywhere else I really don't see how could they be relevant. Is not like Valve is gonna abandon the PC just like that either....

[StrongMan]

If people line up for city blocks to pay $600 for an iphone every 6 months then surely they'd pay that for an iconsole too. I think an Apple console would work. It won't be a Zune like failure for sure.

[8bit_Nes_Rambo]

Sure just like Apple's Pippin.

[3GenGames]

But at that point in time, Apple devices didn't have the idiot following they do know that obey all their commands. It'd sell, it's just how many people could be talking into buying the over priced POS's they make....and if you look at their iPhones, possibly a decent amount.

[dark-hollow]

first off its an iphone every year, in contrast with the million HTCs. SAMSUNGs phones that get released on a monthly bases.

second it is priced as any other high end smartphone.

last, i laugh at the people who thinks apple will price it 1000$!!! do you think apple are idiots?

they know very well the market they are getting into better than a lot of other companies.

the iphone, ipad is priced right for a high end smartphone/tablet.

[chasegarcia]

if Apple makes a console Sony will be in trouble.

nah just wanted to get you mad lol if you are mad you are a Sony fanboy/girl

[Jensen]

ok?

[NellyNel_7_1_3]

we will see if this rumor is true at this year e3...

[BitbyDeath]

An apple console by itself makes sense, they may even go as far as securing a few exclusives from Valve but i do not see them amalgamating together, the two companies are too different from one another to work.

[Soldierone]

Why would Valve do that to their loyal customers? You don't get the fanbase Valve has overnight, threatening to ruin it sounds like a horrible idea.

"you want to play our latest game? Buy an iCrapstation!"

I don't see why Valve would toss out what they are doing with Sony (Steam Works) and alienate their entire userbase to go on some adventure with Apple. The only one that benefits is Apple. They have drones that will follow them anywhere. This relationship doesn't work, apple says goodbye and goes and makes something else, while Valve is left clawing its way back in with apologies....

[Wintersun616]

Apple console would be something like this: 1000$. The least powerful, but Apple fans firmly believe it's a supercomputer. Gets respect for ease of use even though the competition is just as easy. AAA games: Angry Birds HD, Cut the Rope HD, Fruit ninja HD. You must have an iDevice because it's used as a controller. Somehow it still sells like free water in Africa.

[Drainage]

Introducing the iGame , with a low price of $899.99, experience a world like never before.

*1 year later*

Introducing the iGame 2 , with a low price of $899.99, experience a ...

(sells somehow triple of all 3 current consoles combined lmao)

[Summons75]

don't forget the iGame S which comes 6 months after the iGame

[Soldierone]

And the "New Igame" thats too cool for a number because Igame 4 is right around the corner. and its major feature is "its super HD! So real you can't tell the difference unless we tell you its there!"

[-Ninja-]

Ha!, let's see how well Apple do with a €2000 console.

[ExCest]

That's unlikely to happen. Valve wouldn't team up with Apple. It contradicts what they do for me! Valve sells me cheap high quality games. Apple sells me overpriced decent quality stuff. So even if I get a high quality system from them, it would be expensive. The big 3 don't need to worry about that combo. It'll put people off (unless they're die-hard-Apple-hipster-I-like- underground-things-which-is-why -I-like-Apple-even-though-they- aren't-underground-but-now- they-are-fully-mainstream-but-I -don't-care-they-are-hipste r-stuff.)

[3GenGames]

Apple and Valve teaming up would be like Sony and Microsoft combining to beat out the WiiU, a completely different focused console. Very retarded to even think this would happen.

[soljah]

last time i checked apple doesn't have a Mario or Zelda
apple doesn't have halo forza or gears
does apple have gt, uncharted, god of war, lbp, etc
what are the apple killer franchise in games?
valve has some great pc type properties that will alway be available on pc
so why am i buying a apple game console?

[-Ninja-]

Apple fanboys kick soljahs front door in, subdue him, and drag him off into the night....

[soljah]

too funny
so apple its not a brand its a cult

[BitbyDeath]

They'd probably go the casual kinect type route (if they ever made a console.)

[Soldierone]

IF this ever happened headlines like this would role around.

Rovio Signs A Deal With Apple

or

Zynga To Develop Exclusive for Apple

Apple thinks that just because Angry Birds "sells" so many units that they are the gods of gaming. 99 cent app < 60 dollar game.

[coolasj]

Valve would never want console gaming dead. Tons of PC stuff is ports and killing off " The Big 3 " is the same as making gaming crash. So no, nobody wants anybody dead.

[mintrieri]

I have a Steam app on my iPhone right now and I have no doubt Valve will want to serve up downloadable games from it at some point.

But...most existing games on Steam won't work on iOS without porting due to graphics chip compatibility, memory requirements, and an engine coded specifically to PC architecture.

Then again if Steam did an OnLive-like Cloud based solution where the game is rendered on servers and the graphics streamed to an iDevice - that would work.

[kevnb]

Why wouldn't they just make games for ios, or maybe just a game. I'm sure that's what apple wants.

[mintrieri]

"I have no doubt Valve will want to serve up downloadable games from it at some point." But, I don't think a couple exclusive apps from Valve would be the crushing blow for the big three console manufacturers. It's Steam itself that would be a game changer, literally. That being said, I'd quite like a Pocket Portal app. ;)

[mintrieri]

I could also see a Steam capable console with Apple TV, App and Store support. Actually, Steam with Apple TV would compliment each other very well considering the offerings on Xbox and PS3 and would put it on equal footing.

That's my prediction.

[Dante112]

Apple and Valve, this should be interesting.

[brettyd]

Doom he said...DOOM!!!!

[kevnb]

Its not like they will make a console... I can see them working together on something,probably ios related.

[Hicken]

Can I just say "No" and leave it at that?

[V0LT]

Be prepared for an expensive console, and a new one every 6 months. lol

[Titanz]

Hypothetically speaking -- if Apple and Valve do launch a console together, it'll be detrimental for the big 3.

1st/2nd party software, is a lot more important than ever.

[melmacj]

You know this is my opinion and it alone. But I'm not sure if I'll even support Next-Gen. I don't know why Valve think gamers want 5 systems under their TVs. What gamers need is one system compatible for all games. Valve only going to complex gaming even further with exclusive games only released on their proposed box. Again its only my opinion but I'm sick of needing a Xbox for Gears, PS3 for Drake, Wii for Mario. Now Valve want to make another box exclusive for Half Life/Portal. Thanks alot, how about focusing those resources on Half Life 3 or Portal 3. Rather you pro or con I think it just stupid for a new box. Have we forgot about Onlive fighting to get a spot under the TV as well. Jeez a loo I think for me this just might be my last round gaming.

[Fez]

Of course consoles are going to have exclusives. How could there be good competition if exclusives didn't exist?
You realise you don't have to buy every system under the sun? If it bothers you that much just get the console you like the most.

Those were all just rumours anyway. No evidence that a Valve box is in development and even if it was I doubt they'd neglect the PC gamers who were around from the beginning by making their games exclusive to their box.

[melmacj]

I concur you are correct and yes this rumor is growing too big without confirmation. You are correct I have only a ps3/vita right now. I tried supporting xbox 360, Wii while gaming on ps3. Because you are right again I like ps3 more. However like a splinter in my mind there's things I missed about Nintendo/360 well 360 more. Can't do the low def thing with Wii. But I still fail to see why we need PC, PS3, 360, Onlive and maybe a Valve AppleBox all providing basically the same type of games. Only thing separating them is a few exclusive titles. I just long for a standard in gaming where you brought one system and plays everything under the sun. Another point is in most cases the lost is in each system sold and only hope to recover the lost in licensing of software. Whatever happens I just believe at some point gaming will return to the core and only 2-3 systems will survive if that and right now my money is on none of the above.

[Fez]

I think gaming is too popular now to have only 2-3 systems. Even in this recession the gaming industry is going okay and there are tonnes of systems all with exclusives. Counting handhelds and iDevices(if we must lol) there's about 6 or 7 choices for your gaming needs and I think they're all making money on it so probably wont be going anywhere.

I agree with you though, it's annoying not being able to play all the games on one system. I think I'm lucky since I didn't go for the Xbox and the last Nintendo system I had was a Nes when I was just a nipper so I'm not invested in any exclusive franchises. Now I just go wherever MGS ends up :)

[tachy0n]

consider this... apple and valve console will find it pretty hard to compete against 360,ps3, nintendo wii, wii U and pc gaming. There is a great possibility that apple gets scared and backs off specially when the mentioned consoles and the pc are quite strong right now.

Unless they decide to come in with their console at the start of next gen

Typed with a psvita. >.<

[TheGamingArt]

Am I the ONLY one who thinks this rumor is ridiculously out of place? I mean seriously... apple and valve... SERIOUSLY

[Nac]

Hardware is only as good as it's software.

[catfrog]

i would instantly move to any valve console if they offered a pc/console package for their games.

scrap that, i would instantly move to any console that offered the pc game free if i bought the console version.

seriously, why isnt this happening? the publisher still gets the money for the purchase, if you buy the console version the platform holder still gets the licensing money, everybody wins. oh except for the people who want to force you to buy the same game three times

[herukuti]

the idea of a new system and what that means regarding being different because of competition sounds good i hope gabe leads the team properly asking for public help seems unorthodox from a business perspective; apple without jobs is hard to define from a creative perspective for me.

[Chrono]

A lot of made-up news lately.

[lzim]

mother of god. Talk about the most evil union possible.

meanwhile this IS something that should have happened ages ago because Apple needs a games platform that supports multiple (or all) platforms, which is Steam.

I'm still doubtful Apple can usurp what Valve has built on Windows and what they've started with consoles. Minus a proper console and affordable games platform besides that.. what does Apple really have to offer but another tentacle for Steam?

[susanto1228]

Valve doesn't need Apple.
and there isn't room for Apple
in the console wars, if it enters
it will be crushed first by
Microsoft then
by Sony and finally
by Nintendo.

[KeiserSosay4788]

If Valve makes a partnership with Apple, I'm done with Valve. Even saying that last part makes me sad, lol...but seriously don't #$!$ me, Valve!

[Huarle]

Apple is all about closed platforms and control, Valve on the other thand tries to be more open (see PS3/PC Portal 2 cross-platform).
That's why I don't see anything major happen between these two companies

[supremacy]

Wait for it....introducing the Apple iBOX

Its steam meets onlive meets itunes which comes pre packaged in a shiny white or black box(console)

Its the first all digital gaming console which features the icloud as its main gateway for gaming. The ibox will allow current itunes users to transffer their games, movies, music, saves to any other apple branded device with comperable specs and compatibility.

With the ibox you no longer are limited to game at home or on one device.

The ibox comes in 3 different skues and like the pc can be customize (only via order) for personal use. The ibox will retail starting at $449.99+tax

I am only joking by the way.

[Yangus]

Maybe megaton E3.

Apple console coming this year(Q4)UE4 technology games.

:D

[Emilio_Estevez]

The rumors of Apple and Valve have been greatly exaggerated.

[THILLREBORN]

So for everyone who said this won't happen for one reason or another it looks like my opinion piece was spot on. Confirmations are coming in from every where that this is happening.

Thank you non-believers but I said it here first :P

Big sites came in after I dropped the bomb!

[Jourdy288]

Hard to tell, really... On the one hand, aren't most of the games on Steam Windows only?
On the other hand, because of all the fans of iDevices, there could be massive sales. All that needs to happen is software.

[TheSuperior]

that would be interesting, im not going to be an a-whole and say no because you never really know about these kind of things, could end up being somewhat of a cool partnership.