What’s next for Apple TV?
Over the past 15 years, Apple TV has evolved from a simple streaming device into a versatile entertainment hub. It has hosted a variety of apps, including those for streaming services, and in recent years, it has ventured into the realm of gaming. With the advent of the A17Pro chip and the latest Apple SoCs like the M3, it appears that the era of gaming on Apple TV has arrived.
As someone who occasionally dabbles in gaming on Apple TV, I’ve been enticed by the seamless integration of Apple Arcade within tvOS’s App Store. While I may not be a hardcore gamer or well-versed in the gaming industry, I can’t help but wonder if Apple’s platform could offer a compelling proposition for casual gamers like myself.
Apple’s Ambitious Leap into Gaming
The question that looms large is whether Apple will take the decisive leap into the gaming world and if game studios will seize this golden opportunity. Could we soon witness the arrival of titles like Grand Theft Auto Definitive Edition, Red Dead Redemption, or LA Noire on Apple TV? If these titles can find a home on the Nintendo Switch, it stands to reason that porting them to Apple TV should be a feasible endeavor. Apple even offers the Game Porting Toolkit, simplifying the process for developers.
Anticipating AAA Titles on Apple TV
Consider for a moment the possibility of playing iconic games like Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, Doom Eternal, Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, or titles from the Star Wars franchise on your Apple TV. Resident Evil Village, now ported to iOS with full SOC Raytracing, could provide a spine-tingling experience on M3-powered macOS devices. These are not mere speculations; Apple’s push into gaming could pave the way for these exciting titles to grace the platform.
Key Enablers for Apple TV Gaming
Several factors bolster the potential success of gaming on Apple TV:
1. A17Pro Raytracing and M3 Chips: Cutting-edge hardware, including the A17Pro and M3 chips, promise enhanced graphics and performance, elevating the gaming experience.
2. Controller Support: Apple TV supports various gaming controllers, ensuring an immersive gaming experience akin to traditional consoles.
3. AirPlay Audio Streaming: Seamless audio streaming via AirPlay enhances the overall gaming immersion.
4. App Store Abundance: With a vast library of existing titles, Apple TV caters to diverse gaming preferences.
5. Apple Arcade Subscription: Apple Arcade, akin to Xbox Game Pass, offers subscribers a curated selection of games, enriching the gaming ecosystem.
6. The Apple Ecosystem: Apple TV seamlessly integrates with the broader Apple ecosystem, ensuring a cohesive user experience across devices.
7. Apple One and Family Sharing: Apple’s bundled services, such as Apple One and Family Sharing, facilitate rapid adoption and broader access to gaming content.
Apple Users’ Spending Habits
Reports indicate that Apple users are willing to spend approximately seven times more on digital goods compared to other user groups. This propensity to invest in digital content positions Apple TV as a potentially lucrative gaming platform.
Market Potential and Impact
With over 140 million Apple TVs sold and an estimated 246 million consoles sold between 2018 and 2023, Apple TV possesses substantial potential in the gaming landscape. (US focus exclusively. Numbers may incomplete due to Manufacturers decisions not to publish them)
- Performance: Equipped with a powerful SoC like the Apple A17, competitively priced around $200, Apple TV could run high-end games, attracting serious gamers.
- Price Attractiveness: Its price point would be competitive with other consoles, potentially undercutting some models.
- App Store Access: Developers could effortlessly port or create games for the platform, leveraging existing iOS game libraries.
- Apple Ecosystem: Integration with Apple Arcade and other services could serve as a compelling selling point.
If Apple can capture even a fraction of the console gaming market, it could translate into millions of units sold. Success will hinge on factors such as the quality and exclusivity of gaming titles, effective marketing strategies, and the ability to disrupt the established network effect of current consoles.
In conclusion, the future of Apple TV as a gaming platform appears exceedingly promising. With the right strategy and developer support, Apple TV could become a significant player in the gaming industry, offering an enticing gaming experience for both casual and serious gamers alike. Keep a watchful eye on Apple’s next moves, for they may reshape the gaming landscape once more.
