NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
It seems like ever since they announced their Apple Arcade, Apple has been trying to figure out how to break into the gaming market. While the reception has been lukewarm at best, Apple is still persisting. Looking at their offerings we can’t help but wonder what’s holding them back?
Arcade Is Not An Upgrade From Apps
One of the main focuses of the Apple Arcade was to draw a subscription service into the hands of iPhone and iPad users. While there are a handful of great games offered, there’s one major reason it doesn’t have the hype it should. The majority of the games that are offered are great for casual gamers who like the indie developer feel of games.
Unfortunately for Apple, not many of these games seem like they’re much different from their app counterparts. Sure, you don’t get the annoying ads mid-game or micro-transactioned to death, but there’s not enough offered that makes a constant monthly expense to make the gaming experience worth it.
Battery Suck
There is no faster way to drain your phone or iPad than playing a game on them. Handheld devices have had their place in the market since the Game Boy days but as it stands, Nintendo has that market pretty corned with the Switch. Even with the Backbone gaming controller there’s enough competition with Apple to leave them playing catch up. Unlike gaming on a designated console or handheld, there is always going to be interruptions via phone calls or text that stop you in your tracks. By the time you’ve games, answered your texts, scrolled your socials, or just read a news article you’d have to be tethered to a wall to keep up.
No Community
Gaming has evolved over the years. While solo campaigns still exist, they often are enjoyed while your group of friends is too busy. Apple could easily push an iMessage/Facetime style chat across their Apple TV via a Picture in Picture style chat, but there’s a larger problem that holds them up:
Not On The Ecosystem
One of the more frustrating things about Apple Arcade is the inability to get all the games on all your devices. Sure you can play Warped Kart Racers and play as your favorite Family Guy or other animate Fox characters, but not all games are native to all devices. If I wanna play Retro Bowl, a knockoff version of the old Tecmo Bowl football game, I should be able to grab a controller and go. One of the better features Apple added to the Apple TV was the ability to sync your gaming controller via Bluetooth. If you’re going to have that console feel on games on the Apple TV, then you should be able to play all the same games on your phone.
No Individual Appeal
What is the draw to playing games on an Apple product specifically? What sets them apart from the other gaming consoles? Where in the product line do they pull market share from PC gamers? There’s nothing that Apple does that makes you step away from your comfort zone and try a product with them. Apple products have always been for editing and design. Not too many people look to fire up a MacBook and game. Until they find something that makes consumers feel they need it over the other devices in home, they’re never going to get there.
Apple isn’t dead in the water when it comes to gaming. There have been some niche games that draw some attention. However, until they make major moves in the market itself they’ll always be left behind.
