Pocketgamer today says it has heard word from mobile game developers that Apple has been operating secret meetings at GDC discussing a game controller.
Some major developers have introduced ports of successful titles for Apple’s devices, specially crafted to suit the touchscreen. These titles, though, tend to be from a limited range of game genres.
Long rumoured – and hoped for – GDC 2013 has finally provided confirmation that Apple will release its own dedicated game controller. Of course, there’s no official word yet, but Apple has been active during the conference talking to developers about its plans and ensuring plenty of games will support the joypad at launch.It’s been operating a meeting room at the show, albeit booked under a pseudonym company name to avoid media attention.However, speaking anonymously, multiple developer sources have confirmed the news to PocketGamer.biz
Should Apple’s rumored controller be unveiled alongside an updated Apple TV,
such an event would largely confirm earlier rumors that Apple was
preparing to make a push to turn its “hobby” into a much bigger pillar
within the company. Those rumors had Apple revealing a standard development kit (SDK) and possibly opening the App Store for operation on its set-top box, two elements that would likely be necessary were Apple to release a controller for iOS/Apple TV gaming.
Apple’s iOS devices have in short time become a major platform for game development, with games from previously unknown developers going on to sell in the millions of copies. The touchscreen form factor of the devices, though, has to some extent kept them from functioning as serious, dedicated gaming platforms.Some major developers have introduced ports of successful titles for Apple’s devices, specially crafted to suit the touchscreen. These titles, though, tend to be from a limited range of game genres.
In the site’s 2012 review of the 3rd
generation iPad, AnandTech’s Anand Lal Shimpi and Vivek Gowri let slip a
tantalizing tidbit when discussing the iPad’s faculty as a gaming
machine: ”I know of an internal Apple project to bring a physical
controller to market, but whether or not it will ever see the light of
day remains to be seen,” the review reads.