By the time Apple began its result on Wednesday , we already knew most of the basics : leaks had soured the surprise of theiPhone sextuplet and 6s Plus , theiPad Pro , and certainly the long - awaitedApple TV refresh . However , one pre - show rumor did n’t occur true , which get out some people disappointed : The new exercise set - top boxwood is n’t a play powerhouse .
It plays games , sure as shooting . The gain of the App Store means that the new Apple TV is designed to run big - screen games , with Apple demoing a multiplayer version ofCrossy Road , a young Rayman , and a rhythmic , family - tailor summercater game from Rock Band Almighty Harmonix . And with the touchpad remote , iOS equipment , gamepads , and other peripherals all supported , there ’s some versatility to what developers can do with it .
But the musical theme that the Apple TV could challenge the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 in any serious style seemed off - base , and Apple ’s brief presentment did n’t urge notion that gaming will be a tentpole focus for the gimmick . Does that make it a “ major flop , ” as gaming siteKotakusaid ? Well , no : there ’s still plenty of upside to the Apple TV ’s gaming capacity , even if rumors undersell the encroachment .
One leverage or download can get you the same secret plan across machine , plus swarm save allow you transmit over progress between versions .
What it is (and isn’t)
The Apple TV is not a $ 350–$400 console table packed with high-pitched - closing play guts ; it ’s a tiny , $ 150 box with an iPhone 6 processor in it . And it ’s not designed to unravel the kinds of $ 60 plot that are built by hundred of masses and showcase the in vogue in graphics engineering science . In fact , many of the games you ’ll play probably start life on the iPhone , and most will be free - to - play offerings .
In truth , the newfangled Apple TV is quite exchangeable in capabilities to a few other box on the market . Amazon ’s Fire television receiver , for example , is all about medium and games , while Android tv set - powered boxes ( like the Nexus Player ) can likewise execute apps , games , and more . Ouya is perhaps the most mellow - profile bankruptcy of the bunch , as itKickstarted millionsof dollars , built up a band of hoopla , and then botched the landing .
We belike need n’t worry about a messy launch with the Apple TV . There ’s an unbelievable selection of iPhone and iPad game on the App Store that can be tweaked and revise for tvOS , and both the troupe and political program are a known quantity by now . Also , Apple sold more than 25 million of the boxes when itwas just a “ hobby”for the company — envisage what might bechance now that Apple thinks it ’s important .
That said , the play capabilities of the Apple TV are n’t strong or central enough to be a expectant selling distributor point . Apple realizes that , which is why games got a few hour in the middle of the boob tube demo . It ’s part of the overall ingathering of the unexampled box , but not the hook . But that ’s the same deal with the iPhone and iPad — you buy these gadget for apps , communication , media , and more , and you also find to gain access to a vast raiment of great games along the way .
In that horse sense , the Apple TV is the perfect complemental gaming twist for an zealous iPhone or iPad proprietor . The power to buy or download a game on your jot gadget and also have it useable on your television receiver ( assuming the developer has made it Apple boob tube - compatible ) is a wonderful perk , particularly with the power to pluck up a saved biz on any gadget . And with iPhones and iPads used as junior-grade controller for Apple TV , it makes the loge that much more compelling .
The top part of the Siri Remote is the touchpad , plus it has motion dominance capabilities built in , as well .
Stumbling blocks
Granted , mastery is a potential point of contention with the Apple TV . The bundled Siri Remote is interesting — it ’s like the halfway point between a laptop trackpad and a Wii Remote , let you tap and snarf for basic interaction , as well as contestation and move with the built - in motion controls . That means well steering your sport elevator car inAsphalt 8 : Airborne , or maybe swinging the remote like a squash racket or golf game golf-club — and whichever other examples seemed novel and interesting when the Wii tally in 2006 . ( Apple even has a Wii - like protective wristband useable ; it ’s a $ 13 add - on . )
But between the small touchpad and the lack of gaming - specific buttons , the Siri Remote is n’t proceed to work well for all types of games . In some cases , your iPhone or iPad might be an capable substitute , although developers will have to get by with the fact that a ( likely small ) number of Apple TV owners wo n’t also have an iOS machine .
The SteelSeries Nimbus should launch alongside the Apple TV next calendar month ; with no Apple - made gamepad , it may be the only early selection .
Because there ’s no traditional gamepad included with the box , advanced gaming will be limited to those who seek out extra peripheral gadget . Apple is n’t even making its own controller for the goggle box ; that ’ll be left up to third - company makers through the MFi political platform . SteelSeries is first up with theNimbus , which looks like a cheaper version of itsStratus XLiOS controller and also works with iPhones and iPads .
There ’s another restriction in play : It appears that apps and games are limited to 200 MB of storage each . That may not be a problem for many casual games , but mellow - performance claim may require to bend to the swarm to domiciliate their data — or grab chunks as needed for progression . But it also mean developer may need to contract or compress assets , which is n’t going to make games wait any better on your 50 - column inch flat screen .
And still…
Despite those possible complications , I see a lot of value to gaming on the Apple TV . It ’s ideal for subsist iOS gadget owners , and playing games on a box directly connected to your TV is a lot easier than using AirPlay streaming or one of those awkward HDMI connection from years back .
The Apple idiot box could be a great living room console for family and political party multiplayer experience , such as a trivia game likeYou Do n’t Know Jack . Get a few friends with iOS devices , crowd them around the TV , and you ’ve pay back light , inst fun . The Siri Remote has a built - in microphone , so why not bust out some karaoke party biz , for that matter ?
It ’s also encouraging to see developers embracing the option to contribute grander console table experiences to Apple TV . You ’ll be able to toy this dusk ’s Guitar Hero Live on the machine with the same plastic guitar peripheral machine — but no need for a dedicated gambling cabinet . And popular toys - to - life games Skylanders boost and Disney Infinity 3.0 : Star Wars will both set in motion starter kits for Apple TV , as well .
This photo shows AirPlay keep from the iPad , but Guitar Hero Live will also be straight on Apple TV and use the same guitar controller .
As far as small-scale game go , I ’m not sure that every game will expand in the living room arrange . I ’d rather play Crossy Road on my phone and be mighty there in the tense tapping activity , rather than several feet away from a idiot box . It reminds me of buy wandering gem Threes ! on Xbox One last year — I’d played hours and hour on iPhone , so I plop down $ 5 to grab the cabinet version and only played for a few minutes entire . It just did n’t penetrate with me the same way .
But bigger , deeper game will make a lot of sense on Apple TV . Apple featuredTransistorprominently during the demonstration , and it ’s one of the biz that will really do good from the grander experience of playing on a television set . Same withBastion , XCOM : Enemy Within , The Walking Dead , andStar Wars : Knights of the Old Republic .
While all exercise well on an iPad , those are the kinds of game I want to toy on a big screen while slumped on the couch at the end of the day . And since Apple TV games can demand a full gamepad ( unlike iOS game with MFi controllers ) , the console experience can be re - created without compromise . And what about retro secret plan that set out on a accountant before motivate to touch?Sonic the Hedgehogwill be a sight sweeter on your boob tube when you do n’t have to cut into out a dusty old Sega Genesis .
No , the Apple TV plausibly wo n’t quit anyone from vanquish out for an Xbox , nor will the selection of television receiver play likely kill your iPhone gambling drug abuse . But the option for bread and butter room play within Apple ’s mobile ecosystem is a immense perquisite of the new gear up - top corner , and another reason why it seems like a seriously entertaining rise .
