Possible gamechanger? iOS 7 introduces controller support.

[Drachenherz]

I think I've read this somewhere here in the forum: iOS7 introduces support for standartized joypads and probably also joysticks.

I have a feeling that this could mean serious trouble for other consoles, especially the Ouya and other android-boxes... Also the big 3 should take note, as there's an user base of around 500 million iOS-users...

http://www.techdigest.tv/2013/06/forget_xbox_one.html

Holy eff, really... You know what that *could* mean? Playing all the cave-ports with proper controlls, either on the iDevice, or on the bigscreen via hdmi. If the controller api is easy to programm and standartized, it shouldn't take too much for cave to update their allready existing games - and releasing more of their backlog... Just thinking... I mean... As cave obviously concentrates more on the mobile market - how cool would that be?

Or think even about the raiden fighters port, danmaku unlimited 1 and 2 etc. etc. etc.

Add to that gamecenter, friendslists, online-leaderboards etc. etc....:

I am pretty stoked and allow myself to be HYYYYYYPEEEEEEEED!!!!!

And what say you, shmups forum?

[dcharlieJP]

Hyped for the same reasons + other ports + original games + jailbroken emu goodness

[ZellSF]

I wonder how many years I've heard people tell me iOS gaming is the future. Not convinced by a new controller API. Who would create a game for the 5%- of iOS users that have a gamepad when you can create a game that appeals to all those 500 million users?

Phone/tablet gamepads are incredibly niche, I doubt it will change. Same for people connecting their iOS devices to their TVs. The big three has absolutely nothing to worry about until Apple throws tons of money at third party developers. Once you get Call of Duty, FIFA and the next GTA on your iOS device then Microsoft and Sony might start panicking. But Apple is not even throwing enough money into this to come up with a controller of their own.

[Drachenherz]

*snip*...third party developers. Once you get Call of Duty, FIFA and the next GTA on your iOS device then Microsoft and Sony might start panicking. But Apple is not even throwing enough money into this to come up with a controller of their own.

Well, I have a hunch that they just might do this... If they want to go the console route, they just have to release a suitable controller, or several of them. It makes me wonder how an apple designed pad/docking station could look like.

And big third party developers. I think, EA already published some games (Need for speed?), and there's gta III, and most important of all: Apple doesn't need to throw money at them, the money lies in the huge userbase of their iDevices. I guess it should be quite lucrative being able to tap into such a larger customer base. And I fathom there are quite a few "hardcore" gamers out there who would pay big bucks for AAA-Titles, in the realms of the prices of some GoD services.

And about buying additional hardware for an iDevice... I for one would buy such accessoires in a heartbeat, as it would really change *my* game. As mentioned before: Imaginge playing all the cave ports with proper controls...

[emphatic]

If Apple manufacture and release an iGaming add-on for devices running iOS 7 with lag free a/v output and either a wireless controller or USB input(s), it would sell like hotcakes, IMHO. Probably won't support 3rd party controllers from the get-go though.

[Drachenherz]

I imagine some kind of docking station, where you can plug in your idevice horizontally or vertically, whith a connection to the station itself. Which has an HDMI out, and one or two usb ports where you can connect almost any standard controller, like a HRAP 3 for PS3, or a Pad (i.e.: full 3rd party support)... And all of this lagless and 100% supported... Hey, one is allowed to dream?

But seriously, am I the only one drooling about such an idea?

[TransatlanticFoe]

Apple can go and do one. People bitch out EA being a terrible company - the day Apple get any of my money is the day the whole world goes to hell and I decided to end it all. And that'd only be because my money would be as worthless as their sorry existence.

99% of people with a iDon'tGiveAShit really aren't interested in games that require or benefit from controller support. How much is a fucking iWhatever anyway? You either sign your life away on a expensive phone contract or pay through your nose. May as well get a proper console if you give a shit about gaming.

[Udderdude]

Sounds cool, but it remains to be seen how much it will cost, how quality it is, and how many people buy the thing (without at least 25% of iWhatever owners having one, nobody is going to bother implementing it for their games)

[Skykid]

But seriously, am I the only one drooling about such an idea?

I think it's a fantastic addition. Although many (most!) of the games are completely optimised around the touchscreen (you'll even be zipping about on the Cave games using a pad unless there's some way of regulating the input speeds) I can see it opening a huge new platform for better games than the stuff they have now.

[Teufel_in_Blau]

It makes me wonder how an apple designed pad/docking station could look like.

Like shit.

[Udderdude]

Come on, that thing is ancient .. no point trying to compare that to modern day Apple. They might as well be completely different companies.

[Ed Oscuro]

That's actually not that bad-looking - especially considering that era's Apple gave us style and performance wonders like the Performa 6290cd and the Mac TV.

[Icarus]

This will probably be improved compatibility with existing Bluetooth controllers (Wii, PS3, iCade etc) and probably hardware connectivity through the 30pin and Lightning connectors. It'll be interesting to see if the new API will allow controllers to be used on pure-touch games like the Cave ports, although I doubt it without some kind of touch emulation via analog control and/or reprogramming of the game.

[DJ Incompetent]

It'll be iOS 9 by the time Apple heads figure out standards worthwhile to active gaming.

[Marc]

Apple can go and do one. People bitch out EA being a terrible company - the day Apple get any of my money is the day the whole world goes to hell and I decided to end it all. And that'd only be because my money would be as worthless as their sorry existence.

99% of people with a iDon'tGiveAShit really aren't interested in games that require or benefit from controller support. How much is a fucking iWhatever anyway? You either sign your life away on a expensive phone contract or pay through your nose. May as well get a proper console if you give a shit about gaming.

I give a shit about gaming and have owned iPhones in the past, the two aren't mutually exclusive. Of all the devices I've owned, I'm finding my current (Note 2) the best I've ever had for gaming. There's some brilliant original stuff, I can use the pad of my choice for emulators (PSP would have been a clear winner in this category were it not for the abortion of a d-pad), and I've always got it with me. I'm carrying 30 years of gaming history on a device that fits into my pocket. What's not to like? I don't see it being a massive deal on iOS, the main benefit would be for jailbroken phones really.

[louisg]

I own an iPhone also and I've used it a little with a friend's HDMI out dongle. It's pretty neat for games, depending on your expectations: Either way, it won't replace my consoles anytime soon, but I could see how a joystick would make it a lot more fun.

My phone sees use for Final Freeway 2R, Deathsmiles, DDP:DFK, Pinball Arcade, and I beat Sonic CD on it too. I play Battle Squadron on it from time to time as well.

But Apple's policies can suck it. I will agree there.