Should Apple get into the console gaming market?

[duffmanth]

I was reading an article today on ign.com about this subject and I think it would be a good idea if Apple does it the right way, meaning...keep the price of the console affordable, make sure it's reliable, have some really kick ass exclusive games ready to go at launch and establish some top tier exclusive franchises, appeal to every genre of gaming, (this means don't just release these shitty shovelware and casual games like Nintendo and almost totally ignore the true gamers who got them to where they are now), make sure it has good online capabilities.

Apple already has a lot going for them now, they own the direct downloading market, they make some of the most innovative products around, they have strong brand recognition, and most importantly they have deep pockets to absorb the initial losses that almost any new console will face at launch. Yes, I think they should release a console if they do it properly!

[Gapporin]

Too late. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Bandai_Pippin)

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

keep the price of the console affordable, make sure it's reliable, have some really kick ass exclusive games ready to go at launch and establish some top tier exclusive franchises, appeal to every genre of gaming
and bring peace to the middle east


they make some of the most innovative products around
since when? the ipod, digital distribution, touchscreen handhelds, and all-in-one computers had all been done before apple did. apple is just a master of marketing and fad-appeal design.

[Graham Mitchell]

Now would be a terrible time to get into the console hardware business. Everybody's already aligned with one machine or the other. The PS3 and the X360 are so similar and have so many cross-platform games that you could almost get away with owning either and not both. If they do release it, it better have something truly novel, like full HD 3D capabilities or an attachment that makes you a drink and gives you a blowjob while you play Metal Gear. Otherwise, I think the scene is too saturated right now. Whenever more than 3 consoles are on the market at once, one or two of have historically done terribly (3DO, Jaguar, TG-16).

I really think it would be a bad move for them. Best to keep selling touch-enabled ripoffs of Monkey Ball and Robotron to college girls, like they're doing now with ipod touch and iphone.

[c0ldb33r]

Uggh.. Apple.

My wife loves her ipod (80 GB, not a touch model) but it keeps screwing up on her. She's had to reinstall peggle a dozen times so far and every time she does, it loses all of her progress. Forget that.

*waits for someone to mention the failure rate of the XB360*

[swlovinist]

Agree that Apple should not get into hardware. Their Ipod touch is already pretty much a casual game machine. No need to make something else. As it is now, we have 6 main game machines fighting for peoples attention(PS2, Wii, 360, PS3, DS, and PSP). Four have and are doing well(Wii, DS, and 360) nad two are doing okay(PSP and PS3). One more would have to be totally different to make a dent. I see this generation of game consoles sticking around for awhile and agree that anyone getting into the hardware scene right now would be a mistake

[j_factor]

I imagine that if Apple got into the gaming business at this point, the library would be strictly popcap-style casual games, much like the iPod Touch right now. Casual games work okay when you have something that's not really a game system but can play games anyway, but when you're talking about a dedicated game system, they'll need more than that. Wii and DS (and other systems to a lesser extent) have plenty of casual games as it is.

On the other hand, at this point the Apple cult probably has enough followers that they could throw just about anything out there and it would move a decent number of units.

[Clownzilla]

Only if they team up with Sega and make the Dreamcast 2.

[chrisbid]

only after sony and ms pull out the market

it could happen, but dont put money on it

[otaku]

wel with their track record (pippin) I doubt it would be successful. Now the iphone deal is pretty cool I almost want one as my next portable (forget ds and psp!) for now I'm rocking my new gba micro instead though :)

[chicnstu]

Since this topic has been done already....


(this means don't just release these shitty shovelware and casual games like Nintendo and almost totally ignore the true gamers who got them to where they are now)

Did you know......that Nintendo doesn't release every Wii game that is available in stores? Here is a list of all retail games Nintendo has published for Wii, the ones in bold were developed by Nintendo:

Animal Crossing: City Folk
Battalion Wars 2
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
Endless Ocean
Excite Truck
Excitebots: Trick Racing
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Link's Crossbow Training
Mario Kart Wii
Mario Party 8
Mario Strikers Charged
Mario Super Sluggers
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Punch-Out!!
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Paper Mario
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Wario Land: Shake It!
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
Wii Fit
Wii Music
Wii Play
Wii Sports
Wii Sports Resort

Not many major releases, but there also isn't much "shovelware" there, some games have been done before and don't add many new features (Animal Crossing, DK Barrel Blast, Wario Ware, etc) but they aren't "shovelware". Wii Music and Pokemon are the only ones I would almost agree with as being "shovelware". Wii Fit is a great game, Wii Play came free with remotes, Wii Sports comes free with the system, and Wii Sports Resort will probably come with the Motion Plus.

[Jorpho]

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74406

[MrRoboto19XX]

Only if they team up with Sega and make the Dreamcast 2.

The Atmark Dreamcast 2.

[skaar]

Just what we need, a gimmick console with throwaway casual games.

Simpsons did it.

[Kid Ice]

No console.

Handheld? Inevitable. They're already doing it without even trying.

Within one year there will be an Apple gaming handheld with a d-pad.

[CosmicMonkey]

If the On-Live service really does work, Apple would be wise to licence the technology for the AppleTV. It would immediately turn an already existing device into a very powerful games console. But I can't see them actively going out and making a specific games console.

And anyways, what's with all the Apple hating? LOL @ Windowz.

[duffmanth]

Well Nintendo may not release all of the shovelware games themselves, but good games on the Wii are far and few between aside from the first party Nintendo games. In my opinion there are 3 types games on the Wii: great 1st party games, dumbed down versions of PS3 and 360 multi platform games, and crap shovelware games from no name developers. The Wii is just a flash in the pan novelty as far as I'm concerned, just look at how shitty it's doing in Japan now. Nintendo makes no effort to broaden it's audience anymore beyond kids and suburban housewives excercising their fat asses on Wii fit! Go for a walk or a run instead, it's free!!

Just as an after thought, I've never seen a company re-hash the same games over and over like Nintendo! I've lost all respect for Nintendo over the last 10+ years!

[Steve W]

I think Apple won't get into the console market specifically, but they want to get more into games. Look at the facts... they've already got the Apple TV, a Tivo-type device that will sit underneath your HDTV and stream online video from Hulu, Netflix, and the iTunes store. They aren't doing all that much with the Apple TV right now, but it seems like they could be doing more. They've hired Microsoft's Xbox 360 software guru, one of ATI's top people, and they've bought their own chip manufacturers. They could be positioning the Apple TV to be the all-in-one type device for the future. Think of that little box, slightly larger than a Nintendo Wii, that could act as a Tivo, music and HDTV video server, web surfer, and game console with either a Wii-type controller or possibly through a touch screen device like the iPod Touch or iPhone.


since when? the ipod, digital distribution, touchscreen handhelds, and all-in-one computers had all been done before apple did. apple is just a master of marketing and fad-appeal design.
Apple doesn't invent a lot of the markets they move into. They didn't invent touch screens, MP3 players, all-in-one computers, and digital downloads, but they are intelligent enough to figure out how to take these technologies that have been half-assed and or barely implemented in the marketplace and make them work. MP3 playes had been around for a couple of years before the iPod, but they weren't very good machines, too fidgety to use and difficult to sync. Apple saw there was a place in the Mac market for an MP3 player (since the first iPod was Mac-only until PC people wanted to get in on the act), so they figured out the best way to do it. A click wheel to make music surfing easy to do with one hand, and a smart user interface to help you find your music fast. Then, software to make it sync easily with your computer. Then, make that program download music directly from Apple's own internet store so there's the least amount of struggle to put music on that MP3 player. Apple's great at streamlining technology and making it usable for the common man.

I think Apple could position the Apple TV as a games machine, once they update the hardware specs drastically. It wouldn't be considered a game console, though. It'll be more like a digital convergence set-top box. They could pull it off.

[Jorpho]

Just as an after thought, I've never seen a company re-hash the same games over and over like Nintendo! I've lost all respect for Nintendo over the last 10+ years!So you would respect them more if instead they lost tons of money making stuff that didn't sell? I'm sure your esteem would be greatly appreciated by the corporate stakeholders.

[duffmanth]

I'd respect them more if they made even the slightest effort to come out with some new and fresh games and expand their audience beyond kids and casual gamers. I think all of the quick profits they're generating now is great and more power to them, but I think all of these quick profits are coming at the expense of truly great games. I mean the last (what I would consider to be a AAA title) that the Wii has was Super Smash Bros., and that was around a year ago. I mean MS and Sony have kick ass exclusives coming out on almost a monthly basis now. This is exactly the reason why Nintendo got the shit kicked out of them the last 2 console generations, and I think the time is coming when people are going to get tired of waiting for AAA Wii games to come out on a regular basis.

I think the lack of quality software on the Wii is really going to hurt Nintendo in the long run, it's already happening in Japan. Even when I go into my local Walmart and Best Buy from time to time, I see piles of Wii's just sitting there and the PS3's and 360's are down to only a few units.

[kedawa]

I wish Apple would release a console. I also wish it would be such a colossal clusterfuck that the company went bankrupt as a result.

[Matt-El]

Apple's too busy ripping people off with Ipods and Laptops without a standard dvd drive to take a monetary risk with a console.

[Steve W]

I wish Apple would release a console. I also wish it would be such a colossal clusterfuck that the company went bankrupt as a result.
Nope, won't happen. Windows sucks so much that there's always people who want something better.

[CosmicMonkey]

I wish Apple would release a console. I also wish it would be such a colossal clusterfuck that the company went bankrupt as a result.

Yeah, because thousands of people loosing their jobs really is a good thing. Idiot. And then what? We'd be left with Windows or the real mess that is Linux.


Apple's too busy ripping people off with Ipods and Laptops without a standard dvd drive to take a monetary risk with a console.

I'd love for you to explain how the iPod is rip off? And my MacBook has a very nice slot loading 'standard' DVD drive, as do MacBook Pros. The Air doesn't have a SuperDrive as there's no sodding room; that's why you can purchase a very reasonably priced external unit.

[c0ldb33r]

Why people feel compelled to defend Apple I'll never understand.

I use Windows Vista and a Zune. People can bitch about Microsoft all day and night and I couldn't care less.

[InsaneDavid]

keep the price of the console affordable, make sure it's reliable, have some really kick ass exclusive games ready to go at launch and establish some top tier exclusive franchises, appeal to every genre of gaming, make sure it has good online capabilities.

Things Apple knows nothing about.

[Sonicwolf]

Things Apple knows nothing about.

Exactly. See "Pippin"

[Jorpho]

I mean MS and Sony have kick ass exclusives coming out on almost a monthly basis now.Fine, so go buy their products. If "kick ass exclusives" that aren't targeted towards "kids and casual gamers" are the path to success then Nintendo will surely follow suit. In the meantime they will not care one whit what one Mr. Duffmanth thinks of them, their "quick profits", or their marketing.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Why people feel compelled to defend Apple I'll never understand.

I use Windows Vista and a Zune. People can bitch about Microsoft all day and night and I couldn't care less.



Why people feel compelled to defend Microsoft I'll never understand. I use OSX and an iPod.


On topic though, I don't really think we need a 4th console. The market is saturated enough as it is. Apple has never really been gamer friendly anyway.

[c0ldb33r]

Why people feel compelled to defend Microsoft I'll never understand. I use OSX and an iPod.
uhhh... where in my comment did I defend Microsoft? I simply stated that I don't care if others bitch about Microsoft.

[Matt-El]

I'd love for you to explain how the iPod is rip off? And my MacBook has a very nice slot loading 'standard' DVD drive, as do MacBook Pros. The Air doesn't have a SuperDrive as there's no sodding room; that's why you can purchase a very reasonably priced external unit.

I don't have to explain anything. I AM THAT AWESOME.

[CosmicMonkey]

Why people feel compelled to defend Apple I'll never understand.

I use Windows Vista and a Zune. People can bitch about Microsoft all day and night and I couldn't care less.

Why people slag off machines they've likely never used and probably can't afford, I'll never understand.

If people are stupid enough to trust Windows, Zunes and 360s then that's their problem. I'll stick with all my Macs, OS X and the iPhone.

Apple didn't mess around with the iPod. If they ever did decide to enter the home console market then they'd do it with style.

[Berserker]

No way. Apple is clueless when it comes to gaming, and I don't think it's ever been much of a priority to them. They should do what they can to facilitate third-party development for games on their mobile devices, like on the iphone where games are starting to show as a pretty significant market - but does that mean they also ought to completely shift their main priorities and take a shot at some sort of home console with first-party titles? Absolutely not.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

uhhh... where in my comment did I defend Microsoft? I simply stated that I don't care if others bitch about Microsoft.


You didn't. Like you, I was just stating how I felt. That ok?

[c0ldb33r]

Yeah of course that's no problem. It's just that your comment would only make sense if I were actually defending Microsoft.

[kupomogli]

Apple. Now that that's out of the way, I'll add to the stuff about Nintendo.

Since the N64, the only thing good about Nintendo has been their marketing. When it comes to the amount of good games on the system, the Wii is in last place, by far, but the Wii is where it's at solely because Nintendo knows how to market.

Nintendo's gameplan since the GBA seems more or less to fuck the fans over. Whatever puts money in Nintendo's pocket. This has become more and more apparent but most people are pretty much blind to it. First party title or published by Nintendo? No sense in waiting for it to drop price if you're interested in it, it'll never happen as Nintendo would rather discontinue a game that doesn't sell well rather than help the fans. Mario 64 DS is still at 29.99.

Another thing Nintendo likes to do is release products, accessories, that they'll never support again and it's up to third party developers to release games for it. But what third party developer would put money in a game for an accessory that may not happen to sell very well? Looks like you've got yourself quite the paperweight with the balance board once you're through with Wii Fit. There's also the Wii Zapper, which you don't really need, but has Nintendo supported that other than the game that came along with it, Link's Crossbow Training(there have been a couple third party titles, but absolutely no first party support?)

Let's not forget Nintendo's two systems, the GBA and Gamecube, that they completely dropped support for once the DS and Wii were release. It was after the DS' release that they released the GBA Micro but they don't even support the system? Sure it was a total failure, but why release the system if you're not going to continue putting out games for it? Sony is still selling the PS2 and they're still supporting it(though it was late last year since anything first party came out on it.)

Doesn't matter if they have the top selling systems, the company is a piece of crap. The Wii isn't even getting good third party support. DS is a great system though(with the majority of good games third party, but a couple good first party games.) PS360 are the only console systems that are getting good games on a regular basis, both first party and third party.

[CosmicMonkey]

I don't think most people here would be interested in an Apple games console anyway. The whole thing would be tied into iTunes and the games would be download only: no boxes or manuals to clog up your shelves.

[duffmanth]

That's exactly what I have been and will continue to do!

[Baloo]

Apple should not make a console. The Pippin was horrible enough. I actually argued with a Gamestop employee about this. He thinks Apple should come into the console market.

It boils down to this. If Apple computers can't play games in the first place, then how the hell can an Apple video game console even work out?

Also, see Pippin.

[duffmanth]

I couldn't agree with you more! People bought into all of the hype surrounding the Wii just because it has motion sensing, big fucking deal! Top quality games are very scarce and like you mentioned they release these fucking gay accessories that these morons go out and buy and Nintendo and other companies don't even support them...so people spend good $$ on an accessory they get like 2 weeks use out of.

[Baloo]

I couldn't agree with you more! People bought into all of the hype surrounding the Wii just because it has motion sensing, big fucking deal! Top quality games are very scarce and like you mentioned they release these fucking gay accessories that these morons go out and buy and Nintendo and other companies don't even support them...so people spend good $$ on an accessory they get like 2 weeks use out of.

The Wii is the new NES. Crappy accessories that are barely supported by Nintendo, and a shitload of crappy 3rd party titles.

Zapper, Power Pad, ROB. Hmmm...Wii Zapper, Balance Board, Wii Wheel...well what do you know? They're doing the exact same marketing strategy! Who would have thought?

But, like the NES, everyone still fucking loves the Wii, including myself. It's absolutely amazing how Nintendo does this. I congratulate you Nintendo, you have successfully regained the throne at the top of the video game world.

By doing the exact same thing you did 20 years ago.

*Golf Clap*

[Steve W]

No way. Apple is clueless when it comes to gaming, and I don't think it's ever been much of a priority to them. They should do what they can to facilitate third-party development for games on their mobile devices, like on the iphone where games are starting to show as a pretty significant market - but does that mean they also ought to completely shift their main priorities and take a shot at some sort of home console with first-party titles? Absolutely not.
Actually, it would be good for them. Developing on the iPod/iPhone is like a gateway. "Hey, look how easy it is to develop for our little handheld even for a bedroom coder, now take a shot at a machine with a lot more power. And don't worry about piracy like other consoles have to, since we're going to do games as download only through our secure network, not like physical media that can be easily duplicated." There's a lot of developers who would jump on that. And it wouldn't be a game console exactly. Like the fact that the iPhone isn't a gaming device. It would be an HD recorder/streamer that would also be able to play games. Look how fast software houses jumped on the iPhone development bandwagon. One billion downloads in under a year. If they could get people to do the same with a set-top box like the Apple TV, they'd have a killer machine on their hands.

[Baloo]

Actually, it would be good for them. Developing on the iPod/iPhone is like a gateway. "Hey, look how easy it is to develop for our little handheld even for a bedroom coder, now take a shot at a machine with a lot more power. And don't worry about piracy like other consoles have to, since we're going to do games as download only through our secure network, not like physical media that can be easily duplicated." There's a lot of developers who would jump on that. And it wouldn't be a game console exactly. Like the fact that the iPhone isn't a gaming device. It would be an HD recorder/streamer that would also be able to play games. Look how fast software houses jumped on the iPhone development bandwagon. One billion downloads in under a year. If they could get people to do the same with a set-top box like the Apple TV, they'd have a killer machine on their hands.

I don't like the idea of having my video games in a non-physical form. It just turns me off in the fact that something could go horribly wrong or it would be a lot easier to pirate and hack systems and stuff.

[sniperCCJVQ]

I don't think they will, as the Touch by itself is their "gaming" portable system and alot of game are available. Games they don't even need to do internally and done by other, so they cash their % everytime someone is buying it through the Apple Store. Usually is simple game to past time in buses and such...so simple things enough to kill some time.

Apple pretty much clueless for gaming anyway. Years ago, the Pippin was a failure the day it was born and 99% of the games for computer are release on the PC mostly because of the graphic card market.

So for me, it will stay at it is, nothing more.

[monkeychemist]

You guys are so instant that Apple doesn't know anything about gaming. Well, let's look a SEGA or Atari that knew plenty about gaming and made mistakes with their consoles. Sony didn't know much about gaming at first, yet they put out a nice PS1 system and won the market over for 2 generations (of consoles).

I think if Apple want to come up with a new console and make it rugged with plenty of exclusives they have a good chance. The one problem is that although Apple has always made quality products (way above the windows world crap) but they have always been expensive. If I could make a silly analogy it would be like having to buy a Wii at the price of the PS3. I just don't see that working well.

In that same idea, I think that Apple would be more of a contender against Nintendo as they are both innovative/fad types of companies. Then we would have Nintendo vs Apple side by side with Sony vs Microsoft. That would be interesting and the 4 console competition may force companies to make better and better exclusive games.

[duffmanth]

Yeah but at least the NES had a good variety of games that appealed to a wide audience, as did the SNES. The Wii is all about quantity over quality. Nintendo will give licensing rights to anyone now that has a half ass idea for a new game. The Wii is just the N64 and the Cube all over again, except with motion sensing and a bunch of useless accessories and the same shit games.

Getting back to some comments about Apple in this thread, I would gladly and have paid the extra $$ over the years for Apple computers. There's a reason they're more expensive. Myself and sooooo many people I know have switched from Windows machines to Macs over the years simply because they got tired of constant viruses, pop-up ads, having to always update or buy the latest anti-virus software, machines freezing up and on and on. I would gladly spend an extra few hundred $$ on a 15" Macbook Pro than a 17" Windows laptop any day!

[chrisbid]

Blind company loyalty and hate FOR THE BLOCK!!

[Steve W]

Getting back to some comments about Apple in this thread, I would gladly and have paid the extra $$ over the years for Apple computers. There's a reason they're more expensive. Myself and sooooo many people I know have switched from Windows machines to Macs over the years simply because they got tired of constant viruses, pop-up ads, having to always update or buy the latest anti-virus software, machines freezing up and on and on. I would gladly spend an extra few hundred $$ on a 15" Macbook Pro than a 17" Windows laptop any day!

How about hard drive failures? I hear PC people talk about drives dying on them all the time, but I've never experienced it. I don't recall any other Mac person I know of having an HD go out. I've had screw-ups that have made me have to erase my drive and start over again, but it wasn't due to the components in the machine itself. Apple tends to buy higher quality components. They want people to be loyal, so they don't cheap out when it comes to hardware. And because of that, people have built up unrealistic expectations about Apple computers. After the G4 Cube came out a few owners noticed slight cracking in the edges of the lucite plastic and filed a class action lawsuit. There's no chance in hell that would happen with a Dell machine. Dell owners wouldn't care, all they give a damn about is how cheap they could get it. Apple owners are so used to the highest quality gear that if they put cheap hard drives into the new iMacs they'd get a shitstorm of lawsuits by babies whining about losing their important data.

[duffmanth]

Speaking of Dell, my buddy and his bro bought a Dell desktop PC about 5 years ago and paid around $2500 for it, from day one the thing was constantly fucking up on them. Always locking up, pop-up ads galore even with the blocker on, having to upgrade their virus protection almost on a weekly basis and so on. They finally got so pissed off with it, they just drove to the dump and threw it out and both got Macbooks.

[theChad]

Since anecdotes always make for the best arguments, I'll add that the PC I built 5 years ago has served me well over that time, up to and including making this post. I can't say I hate Macs entirely, as I have a 1986 Macintosh Plus 1MB which has given me only minor hassle through the years, but the Macs on campus sure are a bitch to operate smoothly.

[grolt]

Since anecdotes always make for the best arguments,

Yeah, totally. If Mac users would spend half the time they do whining about Windows or boasting about new Apps and more time just understanding the principals of how a computer is made, they'd find they could build a far better computer themselves at a fraction of the cost. They'd probably also learn that "pop-ups" are platform agnostic, or that as long as you're not a fucking moron opening .exe files from random emails you don't need AntiVirus software. Be ignorant, but at least have the courtesy to be quiet.

The iPhone is certainly carving a nice niche in the casual gaming market, I wouldn't be surprised if a successor were even more game friendly in the future. I don' think Apple needs to make an all out gaming system - if you look now consoles are becoming more and more integrated devices anyway, with the capability to go online, play movies, etc., and I imagine Apple will continue to evolve their products in that mold. Look at how well the Game Boy or the Wii have sold on inferior technology. Apple's doing just fine where it's at right now.

[RPG_Fanatic]

Why people feel compelled to defend Apple I'll never understand.

I use Windows Vista and a Zune. People can bitch about Microsoft all day and night and I couldn't care less.

Why people feel compelled to defend Microsoft I'll never understand.

I use Apple's Leopard and a Ipod. People can bitch about Apple all day and night and I couldn't care less. :fist:

[CosmicMonkey]

Yeah, totally. If Mac users would spend half the time they do whining about Windows or boasting about new Apps and more time just understanding the principals of how a computer is made, they'd find they could build a far better computer themselves at a fraction of the cost.

Ahahahhaha hahahah haa... oh, my lungs have just collapsed.

No, Windows users spend their time whining about Windows every time it crashes or does something stupid. On a daily basis. OS X runs flawlessly and I've never had a single problem with any Apple product. I have more important things to do than whine about a broken OS.

I've seen ugly little mini PCs with about the same spec as a Mac Mini at twice the price. And yeah, you can try to build a PC with comparable workstation-class components (Xeon CPUs, not i7 desktops) as a Mac Pro for less. You'll fail miserably and it still won't be anywhere near as well constructed as a Pro. Ever.

Windows users. lol

[Graham Mitchell]

Wow, this is getting ugly. When did this become a Mac vs. PC thread?

[Jorpho]

durr linix should release a consul

/thread

[TheDomesticInstitution]

durr linix should release a consul

/thread

durserves its on thread

[Berserker]

durr linix should release a consul

/thread

Will it use Open Schematic Hardware (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_hardware)?

[monkeychemist]

Wow, this is getting ugly. When did this become a Mac vs. PC thread?

I think that happened when anti-mac people started going off topic whining about how their PCs are better.

[icbrkr]

How about hard drive failures? I hear PC people talk about drives dying on them all the time, but I've never experienced it. I don't recall any other Mac person I know of having an HD go out.

*raises hand*. As much as of a Mac-lover than I am, a hard drive is a hard drive regardless if it's in a PC or a Mac (or a Linux box, or a x360, etc). It's not a matter of if it'll die, it's a matter of when. I've lost lots of drives on all sorts of systems. I've lost 'expensive' drives, 'cheap' drives, drives that were faster than others, etc. I'm sure there will be people that argue one brand over another (even myself), but for the most part, they're all roughly the same.

Nothing better than firing up your HD based system to hear the dreaded 'click' one morning....

[kedawa]

I've owned several Apple computers. They had fuck all for games and were nothing special as far as computers go.
I really don't see what they could possibly bring to the console market, aside from smug marketing and the world's most irritating fanboys.

[MagicMajenta]

It wouldn't be surprising if they entered the console market in the next generation. All these games they're developing for the Iphone/Ipod could be a test run for something bigger in the future. This may not necessarily be the case, but it is certainly within the realm of possibility. They may even start the new medium for home consoles being download only as their doing now with their games/apps through Itunes. Very possible! They could be the catalyst for the download only games and do away with physical games that you can put in your hands. Again may not be the case but very possible at this point in time.

[Ed Oscuro]

*raises hand*. As much as of a Mac-lover than I am, a hard drive is a hard drive regardless if it's in a PC or a Mac (or a Linux box, or a x360, etc). It's not a matter of if it'll die, it's a matter of when. I've lost lots of drives on all sorts of systems. I've lost 'expensive' drives, 'cheap' drives, drives that were faster than others, etc. I'm sure there will be people that argue one brand over another (even myself), but for the most part, they're all roughly the same.
Actually, hard drives are highly idiosyncratic. Most drives die about (the time that the warranty expires) at the Mean Time Between Failure, but a rare amount die much sooner or much later. I've got a drive from 1995 going strong, but I've had other drives die. The drive in this PC is from 2005 or so and has been used pretty rigorously at times.

But back on topic, Apple seems to do best with simpler hardware (maybe that's being unfair). Mainly their touch recently has been in designing complete systems where simplicity and elegance of use beat out flexibility (as in the PC) and where people will gladly trade away some customization for a user interface that isn't complete garbage (as seen, for example, on the Verizon phones like the v3m - that's just gross).

[monkeychemist]

the world's most irritating fanboys.

Actually there is nothing more irritating than all these Apple haters in this thread. Just shut up all of you already!

[Ed Oscuro]

Actually there is nothing more irritating than all these Apple haters in this thread. Just shut up all of you already!
One reader's poison is another's pleasure. Lighten up!

[Mimi Nakamura]

Apple - very unfashionable, very uncool.
Could be a great look for gamers!

[Zap!]

I'd rather have a real video game company enter the console market (by real I mean making games since the 70's). Capcom or Konami would be beautiful.

[Sonicwolf]

I think Apple is an even bigger joke now than they were in the 90s. They are so anal about not showing that they are trying to dive into the markets that they are. They release iPods and iPhones which play lots of games yet act like they are innocent in trying to penetrate the game market..

[Graham Mitchell]

I think Apple is an even bigger joke now than they were in the 90s. They are so anal about not showing that they are trying to dive into the markets that they are. They release iPods and iPhones which play lots of games yet act like they are innocent in trying to penetrate the game market..

Last I checked there were at least 5 billboards down Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood displaying all the games on the iphone/ipod touch, and demonstrating the accelerometer controls. I don't think they're as coy about it as you'd suspect.

Oh, and to whoever mentioned Konami or Capcom making a console--fantastic idea! I wouldn't care if it was made from broken Atari 5200 parts; I'd buy it.

[Sega_Naomi]

Hell yes , i hate microsoft as much as i hate PAYPAL! ,
they are scums only there for money not there for gamers

their console sucks ,

Apple would kick the S**** out of the xbox!
and respect their users
like they did for years by making the most stable OS EVER!

[AdamAnt316]

Yet another Windows/Mac-bashing thread..........

In my regards to that :deadhorse: topic, my comments from this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=977026#post977026) still stand. That is all I will say in that regard.

Getting back to the topic at hand, I agree with those who think the home gaming market's saturated enough as it is. I can't really see Apple throwing their hat into the ring again in this market, since they don't seem to be doing too much with their existing entries to the home market (see: Apple TV). They seem to be doing a pretty good job with the iPhone/iPod touch as a sort of low-key handheld gaming platform, and I'm having a hard time imagining how they could replicate that sort of thing with a home console.

Oh, and to those who keep bringing up the Apple/Bandai Pippin, the Apple which designed that product was virtually an entirely different company than the one we know now. They diluted their product line with dozens of "Performa" models, allowed Mac clones that took marketshare away from their own product lines, and were close to going down in flames. Then Steve Jobs returned to the company, got rid of the Pippin and the rest of the deadwood, and started over again with the iMac.
-Adam

[kedawa]

No company is going to enter the console business during a near global recession.
What company can afford to?

[monkeychemist]

No company is going to enter the console business during a near global recession.
What company can afford to?

you're right. Also not in the middle of the cycle of a generation. Maybe in 5-6 years when PS4, Wiii and X1080 start buzzing around.

[Zap!]

No company is going to enter the console business during a near global recession.
What company can afford to?

Apple can easily "afford to" and so can Samsung, who trounces Sony (and ANYONE else) in electronics sales.


Maybe in 5-6 years when PS4, Wiii and X1080 start buzzing around.

They will be around long before 5-6 years, it'll be more like 2-3 years.

[FanOPants]

The great Mac vs. PC debate has become less maniacal Apple fanboys and more reactionary Windows users ranting and raving about Apple's rehashed technology and its appeal to fashionable people. It's like when someone finds out you're a vegetarian (pretend you're a vegetarian): often the reaction is defensive, even if the vegetarian did not volunteer the information. Why don't you eat meat? What about protein? I eat meat, do you think I'm a bad person? etc... Similarly, to Mac users... Apple doesn't "truly" innovate. They're only successful because they're hip with young people. Apple users are stupid. Years of ranting and raving about Apple's supposedly inferior products as consumers continue to purchase them and the company brings in huge margins relative to other PC/electronics makers. Apple products aren't for everyone, but there's something to be said about the appeal that goes well beyond how stupid Apple users supposedly are.

Anyway, the iPhone already serves as Apple's handheld device and any foray into the console market would be against serious competition against a trio of huge, established companies, one of which operating on a similar business model (Nintendo). The risk is great, the likelihood of success minimal, and any reward years away. Dumb move.

[Sonicwolf]

The great Mac vs. PC debate has become less maniacal Apple fanboys and more reactionary Windows users ranting and raving about Apple's rehashed technology and its appeal to fashionable people. It's like when someone finds out you're a vegetarian (pretend you're a vegetarian): often the reaction is defensive, even if the vegetarian did not volunteer the information. Why don't you eat meat? What about protein? I eat meat, do you think I'm a bad person? etc... Similarly, to Mac users... Apple doesn't "truly" innovate. They're only successful because they're hip with young people. Apple users are stupid. Years of ranting and raving about Apple's supposedly inferior products as consumers continue to purchase them and the company brings in huge margins relative to other PC/electronics makers. Apple products aren't for everyone, but there's something to be said about the appeal that goes well beyond how stupid Apple users supposedly are.

Anyway, the iPhone already serves as Apple's handheld device and any foray into the console market would be against serious competition against a trio of huge, established companies, one of which operating on a similar business model (Nintendo). The risk is great, the likelihood of success minimal, and any reward years away. Dumb move.

I agree wholeheartedly. Apple has only done one thing worth noting. A complete and total draconian control over all of their products and operating systems. Imagine if IBM had enforced the control and ideals of Apple now - - back in the 1980s. No cheap clones for anyone and the spread of Windows and PC as the dominant os and computer architecture would not have occured as easily - if at all.

They sell products to young people. Products with 'pretty' graphics and effects. Products that look clean. That white color crap is going to make me throw up and those new keyboards are pushing me to that wretch-point even further. The fact that they had ONE BUTTON MICE until a couple of years ago just shows how much of a clusterfuck the Apple Computers have been. One big majority compatability problem with ancient ideas installed after another.

There is a reason IBM/compat PC took over the market in the first place. Why pay so much for so little when you can get so much for so little?

I am no Microsoft Windows fanboy myself either. I am pretty much fed up with each OS and pc brand. Windows is a bloated Dinosaur - A ball of play-doh which is added to each year. After time passes, all you have is a massive ball of crap, with new features smacked onto old ideas and given a new look. One of these days that stuck together ball of crap-doh is going to roll over the consumers ala Indiana Jones.

Vista failed and 7 looks like another Vista with less startup bloat. I downgraded to XP after a few months of tolerance. My computer is a piece of crap, barely able to stay working, and its only a year old.

CRAP

Someone make a new type of computer, totally new, with a new type of OS.

Free us all from the major players in this ridiculous computer type war.

In conclusion... Adding a smallcase "I" in front of every single word imaginable was cute for about 10 minutes back in 1998. ITS NOT WORTH THE MONEY TO HAVE AN I IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER OR OTHER PRODUCT NAME! IT DOESNT MAKE IT IMMEDIATELY COOL EITHER.