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GameLoft CEO says: Apple gaming console 'Makes sense', gaming to be 'ubiquitous' in a couple years
- June 16, 2009 13:08 PM PST
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For many years now, those of us with Apple computers have felt a deep longing for the day when Apple would fully embrace the gaming industry as it should, and with the huge success of the iPhone and iPod Touch, perhaps that day isn't too far off.
In an interview conducted by Kotaku with GameLoft CEO Michel Guillemot, Guillemot stated that an Apple console would make sense, but how to enter it within such a saturated market remains the big question.
"It would certainly make a lot sense," he said. "The question is where would you position a game device? You have very, very successful console makers who are extremely effective at what they do. I don't think anyone would displace the three anytime soon." -Michell Guillemot
Apple's Bandai Pippin from 1995, proof that Apple once attempted marketing game consoles. Will they attempt it again?
Of course, this is just speculation as to whether or not Apple is truly considering a leap into the console market. But, all the same, the iPhone has proved itself as a worthy opponent to the DS and PSP.
But, as Guillemot notes, as gaming becomes something as common as the internet, the "big three" may become something of the past.
"I would say gaming will be ubiquitous in two or three years time," he said. "We will have many, many platforms enabling gaming, just like we now have many, many platforms enabling Internet.
"Today you watch videos on everything. You don't care much what it's being watched on. When you are mobile you use mobile. At home you can watch on your PS3 or TV, you can watch on your PC or Mac. Now video is everywhere. I would say gaming will be everyone with a good level of quality in two years time."
Seems logical enough. With GameLoft's current catalog of games being over 250 mobile games, 30 iPhone games, seven WiiWare games, three DSiWare games, games on the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, Wii, DS and PS3, it's easy to see why he believes the future will be more about games invading every kind of platform rather than the platform themselves.
"That's why we have games playing on every device that is Internet connected, all mobile, all smartphones, all consoles, all portables," Guillemot said. "We let the consumers decide how they want to play our games."
So, at this point, who knows? Only Apple it seems. But as Guillemot's brother, and CEO of Ubisoft, Yves Guillemot noted back in May:
"There?s also a new entrant in the business. Apple, with the iPhone. And we don?t think they will stop there.?
Only time will tell.
Check out the original article here at Kotaku.
ALSO READ: Apple unveils iPhone 3GS: Faster, better graphics, stronger batteryALSO READ: iPhone closes in on DS, PSP with multitouch games
ALSO READ: iPhone among Japan's top impulse buys
It's all speculation of course, but for the fun of discussion, I'd prefer it if Apple invested in getting more game titles on their computers than on inventing a brand new console. Apple has seriously been lacking in that department for far too long. Any thoughts, yea or nay on a new (hypothetical) Apple console?
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- Jun 16 2009 at 03:19:13:PM PST
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I prefer Apple debuting a new console that will challenge both Sony & Microsoft, then we will have a real console war, just like the good old days.. since Apple will be targeting the same audience there competition is going after, plus i would like to see how iTunes plays onto this against PSN Store or Zune Marketplace
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This would be awesome.
Just imagine the fanboy wars we could have if Apple decided to join the console war.
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apple stick to iphones and computers cause your console will be an epic failure like sony's umd
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An Apple console whould just be another over priced piece of junk just like the rest of thier products..Apple sucks ass!
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This guy is definitely right about this. I can see gaming becoming as necessary for products like cameras are for cell phones nowadays. Yes, gaming did at one point have many other companies competing and making consoles (some ridiculously overpriced) and nintendo came out on top, now we have "the big three". I can see that changing and more and more companies will join. Apple joining wouldn't surprise me. Sony did and then microsoft followed. How long before there are like six companies all with their own consoles?
And I don't believe people will ignore others just because there isn't the name sony or microsoft or nintendo on it, like with any product you buy what interests you. It will probly stay the three of them for a few more years at least though.
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And Oh yea, that attempt by apple in '95 is before they started to make products that are very slim and also high quality. They could make an awesome console, as long as it isn't pricey like most of their products because that apparently doesn't fly in the gaming world.
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Apple is the only company with any chance to successfully enter the saturated market. The company is recognized, trusted, and has a huge fanbase. Any other company attempt would fail.
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NO please we have too many consoles out. apple can you do me a favor? stay out of the big 3's way. We have enough fanboy wars and gaming to choose from. Stick to your mac's and ipod touches. EPIC FAIL!!
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The smart move would be for Apple to buy EA. Then they could sell their games directly to the 3 game consoles.
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