As they stand, the requirements mean that all games will have to be designed for this awkward-looking remote control. On Apple TV, developers will be forced to support the included Remote first, and more fully featured, game-focused controllers after that.
Advertisement
Dedicated gaming controllers can still be used as an option, but their functionality will be hamstrung by the limitations of the Siri Remote, which, again, Apple is requiring its developers to support. So maybe the doomsday prophets out there predicting this machine spells the end for dedicated gaming consoles should cool their jets.
However, one key difference between the iPhone and the Apple TV is that the former was a blank slate for developers. It has also redesigned the remote control to include a touch-enabled surface at the top as well as hiding an accelerometer and gyroscope inside.
Not only has the new Apple TV gotten a hardware upgrade, but its remote has been entirely redesigned as well. Developers like Smule’s Jeff Smith think that the Apple TV lowers the barrier of entry – making the Apple TV an intriguing prospect for indie game developers.
Since Apple added game controller specifications to iOS 7 in 2013, there have been several different MFi controllers created by third parties to play iOS games.
It has access to the App Store, plenty of local storage, and a gamepad-esque remote control that acts like a Nintendo Wii controller.
On the one hand, this is a win for Apple TV users, as it ensures that they will be able to enjoy any game they download or buy for Apple TV, whether or not they own the recommended game controller. Let us know in the comment section below. Now, either developers have to work around this issue or Apple has to ultimately change the policy to stop game quality from being affected.
Advertisement
In short, games that support third party controls must also support Siri Remote.
