The recent and remarkable success of iOS as a mobile operating system has turned Apple into the biggest company in the world, placing it in a position its competitors have only dreamt about. Now, Apple has the resources, not only the talent, to turn iOS into the biggest video-gaming platform on the planet and the best part is that the company does not need to push experimental, new devices like the relatively unsuccessful Nintendo 3DS to make sure it happens. To the dismay of Sony and Nintendo, the take over is already happening because Apple?s hardware is in your pocket or bag (or perhaps your friend?s pocket or bag). That seems to be the biggest problem console manufacturers must overcome.
Oddly enough, the same factors that made a contribution to the success of iOS as a gaming plaform are the same factors that contributed to Windows?s success as a gaming platform. Windows and iOS are exceptionally handy to folks from all kinds of life, so tons of people use them. Ridiculous amounts of people utilize them, though it wasn't initially for the games. Even now, folks do not buy iPhones and iPads for gaming, but the majority of people with these devices play games on them.
But now that these devices are in everyone's hands, why not make some great games for it too? Do that, and suddenly you have the biggest, most successful mobile gaming platform on the planet. The biggest hurdle Sony and Nintendo now face is the average person?s inability to see the value of a dedicated, mobile-gaming console when a smartphone or tablet can suffice.
Of course, touchscreen, button-less devices aren't the best hardware for most games, and nothing tops a good-ol?-fashioned gamepad. For those people, arcade sticks, mini arcade cabinets and wireless controllers are available for iOS and even Android, and you can select from several options, styles and sizes. For everyone else, the choice between dropping another $200+ on hardware or learning to to get decent with touchscreen controls is an obvious one. Almost everyone would rather put in the additional work with a touchscreen display. Finally, there?s nothing like mirroring your game on an HDTV wirelessly over AirPlay.
Nintendo and Sony are now off balance. iOS permeates each sub-culture and profession in most places around the world, and Apple has the currency stacks to pay off developers for top-shelf gaming titles. Now, if only Apple would spend some time on developing OS X?s gaming library, I?d be complete. I need some Star Wars: the Old Republic in my life.
Fausto Mendez is the editor of ReleaseDates.co, a free web site and subscription service that updates its readers only about the devices and brands they wish to know about.
Source: http://www.gamenator.com/2012/03/microsoft-avoids-new-console-war-apple-vs-sony-and-nintendo/
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