Ars Technica:
Early in the platform’s life—long before the release of the Apple TV 4K, which has very attractive specifications for game development—Apple lifted the requirement that games support its controller. But the first impression had already been made. And even if developers could release games that required a controller, the lack of a controller bundle for games-minded Apple TV buyers meant that developers couldn’t feel confident they’d find a large audience that could play their games.
But there’s more going on here than just controller support. To find out more, we talked to the people who would have the most complete perspective on the Apple TV’s video game credentials.
Games have been a bastard stepchild at Apple. The company has always given mixed messages to game developers regarding how much the company is willing to support them in their efforts.
“Games have been a bastard stepchild at Apple.”
Not on mobile!
Mac OS, obviously, has a complicated history, although I, personally, wouldn’t say that gamers have always been left out in the cold — at least not because of Apple’s failings. Market share can have an effect, particularly if, unlike Android, people are actually paying for content.
But TVos does seem to be a problem.
Depending on how successful Apple is as a studio, I could see them following Sony’s footsteps into the game console/production business eventually. They obviously know how to build hardware, OS platforms, and have a robust cloud services/store. So for me its just a matter of time, particularly, if AR is a component. Cook is all over AR these days.
One main sticking point is will they go strictly console or include PC gaming too? My money would be on the console (AppleTV) since they prefer closed systems, but the PC platform tends to be a much better gaming experience.
First step : Apple should allow a Steam Client app to replace the steam link hardware
The other issue for me is that the ATV 4k is too expensive for what it is. $179 as a starting price and it doesn’t really do games. Yes, it has apps but excluding the apps for video services how many apps are really used on tvOS? I don’t use any non-service apps. At all.
Meanwhile a real console like the Xbox or PS 4 is ~$300 or only another hundred bucks and comes with a terabyte drive, access to tons of games and, in the case of the PS4 at least, an over the top streaming service that lets you cut the cable cord (albeit as an optional monthly fee).
If I were getting a 4K streamer I’d have to look REALLY carefully at the PS4 or even the PS 4 or Xbox plus a Roku. The ATV just isn’t competitive for what it does.
Xbox because successful because of key games available such as Halo. Same with Nintendo and Sony. Apple TV doesn’t have that.