You do not need to look very hard to get a feeling that a lot of journalist and gamers really do not like Apple. There are various reason with some I can reason with (i.e. lack of recent innovation and charging for it with a AAA price tag). But when it comes to gaming Apple is seen either in a negative light or Apple doesn't count in gaming terms. But Apple has inadvertently done a lot for small developers.
Apple created a device that is relatively easy to make apps and games for. So much so small developments teams (even individuals) have gotten recognition. I think the best example showing easy to develop and number one app has to be bubble ball created by 14 year old Robert Nay (*memeburn, 2011 see below for link to the story). A boy manage to top the download chart with a simple game and it took angry birds off the top. Angry Birds for that matter is made by Rovio which is a small independent game developer. Angry Birds became very profitable game for Rovio.
Now I know many will say that either these are not games or there are a lot of rubbish in the app store. The later is fairly true. There is little to no quality control on the app store. But how is this any different to Nintendo's method of having shovelware on its Wii system. Lets be fair there have been massive dry period where a lot of rubbish is release with one major and good game comes out. But Nintendo is a respected because of the games they have and do release but also for innovation which brings me on to the next point
Apple has innovated in gaming. They may have done it accidentally and unintentionally but ever since the original iphone was release touch screen gaming has really taken off. I know Nintendo when into touch screen gaming with the DS but not in anyway the direction apple managed to do. I will elaborate. touch only gaming has created a lot of different gameplay option. The iphone maybe lacking buttons which I know a lot of gamers (and even myself to some point) adore and seem they cannot live without but lets be honest apple's devices have made no button gaming very easy to play. But many (I hope it some for the sake of the gaming community) believe these are non games. Without naming names (because I am not calling out individuals but ideas in general) I will point out , one example, what is being said on this website
"Apple is not even in the gaming industry. I stand by my statement "games" from the app store or facebook games are not or will not ever be video games!"
Now I hope I do not need to point out the lack of sense made in this comment. These game may not be Call of Duty in quantity of stuff but they do not cost the same as Call of duty. Also this doesn't necessarily mean you spend less time on these games. A lot of games on the app store are addictive and quite challenging. To claim this more casual but also innovative form of social gaming non games is a little naive.
Now I am not defending Apple, nor am I an Apple fanboy. I am merely a little frustrated with this bias view on a company who has done quite a lot for gaming. Touch gaming has worked its way into our dedicated handheld systems. Just look at the Vita which now includes touch based gaming. Look at the Wii U. Its controller is basically a budget tablet that something Apple started with its Ipad. Apple are not destroying the gaming world like some infectious disease but in fact have made their mark. Making systems that can make smaller developers gain profit and notoriety. There systems have changed gaming and in my opinion for the better. The should hold respect for these actions and not instantly dismissed.
* memeburn, 2011: http://memeburn.com/2011/01...
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In what way did Apple "innovate" gaming? I'm really curious about that one. Apple - like they do with virtually EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT they release - simply polished up several existing ideas, slapped a pretty case and logo on it, and overcharged you by $200. One could argue that the only reason why the app store is so popular is because of Apple's lack of quality control. Anyone can put an app on the store, and that's why game updates to iOS games more often break the game instead of fixing it (pretty common issue for people with iPhone1 and iPhone2). There's a REASON why those games are $.99. I'm fine calling them games, because that's what they are. My own personal issue (can't speak for anyone else) is when Apple fanboys blow their trumpets and declare those $.99 distractions to be "teh future of GAMEZ INDUSTRY!"
If anything, I see WAY too many "journalists" and gamers praising Apple endlessly. I'd like to see the needle move the other way for a more balanced opinion of Apple.
Apple didn't really innovate gaming... All they did was allow small little flash-like games that have been on the PC for ages to be on their phones/tablets.
In a way I think they actually hurt gaming from a public standpoint. Most parents and casual people who just buy a few $.99 games on their iPhone think that is gaming. Then they see or hear that their son/daughter or friend is sitting in front of a PC or TV for 3-4 hours and don't get that the games are totally different.
They might have made the market for cheap time-wasting games popular for the average person mainstream. But in no way are these "games" actually true games. It is like comparing a game of football in the NFL to a game of pee-wee football.
Apple innovating gaming at all is really not what I have been seeing lately. What I see personally is websites like Facebook with Farmville and games like that making non-gamers/ or casual gamers broaden their horizons. Don't get me wrong a game is a game no matter what but I doubt you'll see any hardcore gamer say they love playing Mass Effect on their iPad vs playing it on a PC,360, or PS3. Apple is only making it easier for non-gamers and casual gamers to have something to do with their free time. It won't convince them to become next gen console owners.
I guess I'm with the other posters in questioning whether the term "innovate" would be the right word for Apple's influence. They've certainly added another level of competition to smaller indie titles (which is great) and made cell phones a fairly relevant gaming platform, but I'm not sure if there's praise to be given beyond that.
@ iamsuperman
When did the half of your Playstation Move order arrive? I think I've seen that same status update for a year now :P.
You say you're not defending apple, but to me, you're doing a great job of it by accident. They have done a lot for gaming? Like what? Boosting their own catalog and business model does not mean anything for gaming until it has a sustained affect on the industry that came before it, a trend I do not wish to see happen. Apple offers a bite sized version of what we're already used to, more comparable to portable consoles, but that's a different market. Not even Nintendo and Sony's portable offerings have "changed" gaming as a whole.