The New Consol Wars: iOS VS Nintendo and Sony
The present and unprecedented success of iOS as a mobile operating system has turned Apple into the largest company on the planet, placing it in a position its competitors have only dreamt about. Now, Apple has the means, not simply the talent, to turn iOS into the largest video-gaming platform internationally and the best part is that the company doesn't need to push experimental, new devices like the relatively unsuccessful Nintendo 3DS to cause it to happen. 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 surprisingly useful to folk from all walks of life, so tons of people utilize them. Silly amounts of people utilize them, though it wasn't initially for the games. Even now, folk do not buy iPhones and iPads for gaming, but most folks 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 beats 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 at a disadvantage. iOS permeates every subculture and profession in most places around the planet, and Apple has the currency stacks to pay down developers for top-shelf gaming titles. Now, if only Apple would spend a while 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 website and subscription service that updates its readers only about the contraptions and brands they wish to understand about.