On Wednesday, Apple had their annual iPhone unveil in San Francisco where they announced the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. This year, however, they also announced a new revamped version of the Apple TV. For $149, you can now get a fancy new streaming set-top box and a shiny new microconsole, too.
THE NEW APPLE TV
Several weeks ago, we ran a story about a new Apple TV rumored to show up at Apple’s iPhone event, and it looks like most of what was discussed ended up coming to fruition. The new Apple TV has a brand-spanking new 64-bit A8 processor, and sports 802.11ac Wi-Fi support, too.
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The device is about 11-millimeters taller than its predecessor. It’s also kept the same HDMI, power, and ethernet connections. The 32GB will run you $149 and the 64GB is a modest bump up to $199.
APPLE TV = MICROCONSOLE
The most interesting part of the new Apple TV is its gaming capabilities. When Apple announced that it was going to show off the Apple TV, it also made mention of an App Store that will allow developers the opportunity to create games for a brand new operating system called tvOS. When the new Apple TV launches in October, it will be launching with a few games, too: a multiplayer version of Crossy Roads, and a collection of rhythm-based mini-games by Harmonix called Beat Sports.
CAN IT SUCCEED?
Here is where you’ll get slapped with an opinion. The new Apple TV will most likely get a lot of attention from the same casual gamers that help mobile games like Clash of Clans make millions of dollars a day. But the reality is console gaming and mobile gaming aren’t even remotely related. They’re supported by two different audiences.
So far, the games announced for tvOS are based on mobile games, which are fun when you need to kill a few minutes at a time, but you won’t be spending entire afternoons diving into the world of Crossy Road – not like core gamers will with Fallout 4 or Metal Gear Solid 5, at least.
Now, that’s not to say that there aren’t some really good mobile games. You Must Build A Boat is one that comes to mind, which I sunk hours and hours into. But again, it was all done in between commercials, while standing in lines, and maybe even during a bathroom break or five.
Development is also a crucial part of the equation. Console developers already have to develop for PC, PS4, PS3, XBox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, and the Wii U. Support for the Wii U has dropped considerably for third-party developers because the platform is so different and the audience isn’t there for it. The PS3 and XBox 360 are also starting to miss the boat on some releases due to dated hardware, not that you should expect to see AAA titles released with something sporting a mobile processor.
But it leaves a burning question in my mind: where are all of these microconsole players? The Android-based Ouya suffered a quick but painful death due to a lack of audience. I can only see the same fate for the gaming aspect of the new Apple TV.
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Apple TV And Its Survival as a Gaming Console
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