Apple ripe for games invasion

Industry watchers have told MCV that with iPhone and Apple TV in its arsenal, technology giant Apple could be the next big thing” in the games market.

While mobile gaming has struggled to fulfil its potential thanks to handset fragmentation and compatibility issues, Apple’s iPhone looks set to change all that thanks to a far clearer distribution system and the sheer power of its much-hyped touchscreen handset.

We are very much supporting the platform – we’ve been quite vocal in our support of it in the past and we are backing it with three forthcoming titles that have yet to be announced based on our major console IPs,” said VP of international at THQ Wireless Adam Comiskey.

It’s a great proposition – we’re very excited. I think it’s a very credible gaming platform and from what we’ve seen it is very powerful.”

And analyst Jason Schwarz of Lone Peak Asset Management believes that iPhone is just the first step for Apple as it sizes up the booming casual gaming market through its set-top box Apple TV.

There have been a number of hints over the past year to suggest it may only be a matter of time before the set-top box, like the iPod and iPhone, will double as a casual gaming console,” Schwarz told MCV sister site CasualGaming.biz.

By developing a 3D gaming platform, Apple is a serious candidate to deliver the next big thing.”

According to CasualGaming, Apple recently filed a patent for a Wii-style 3D game controller that would work with its TV system.

However, when contacted about the possibility of Apple TV’s gaming potential, an company rep declined to comment.