The 2012 Entertainment Electronic Expo (E3) is only a few months away and the rumor mill is buzzing with whispers about new home gaming consoles from Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. Adding to the fire, last week the story broke that Apple may be working on a home console.
According to the Yahoo blog “Plugged In,” Apple CEO Tim Cook and gaming developer Valve are collaborating and create a new gaming system to compete with the next generation of the XBox, PlayStation and Nintendo Wii. The rumor suggests that Apple will bundle the gaming hardware with their long-rumored HD TV. In addition, “Tecca” writer Mike Wehner states that sources from both Apple and Valve claim the new software will contain motion control software similar to Microsoft’s Kinect technology.
Apple’s desire to enter the home console war should not come as a complete surprise to the gaming industry. Since the launch of the iPhone and its App Store, Apple has dominated the mobile gaming market with accessible hits such as “Angry Birds” and “Infinity Blade” as well as popular games “Grand Theft Auto 3” and “Mass Effect.” Apple has achieved the impossible by exposing a vast number of people to video games through easy game controls and affordable price points.
In addition, Apple’s rumored partnership with Valve seems logical since both companies place great value in quality products that leave customers satisfied. The gaming publisher has a reputation for producing quality games such as the “Left 4 Dead” series and “Portal.” Also, the company has a number of impressive technologies including their innovative Steam engine, which allows for game distribution and game storage, and saves valuable hard drive space. Valve is notorious for pushing back release dates, however, and that could be a major drawback for Apple, a company known for its punctuality.
While Apple’s possible entry into the home console market may cause dread, their presence could be a positive factor, increasing pressure in the now three-company industry to create innovative gaming consoles and publish interesting games more for a general audience than a niche group. If any company is going to reinvent gaming, there is none more qualified than Apple, the giant who has already conquered so many other forms of entertainment.