Filip Novotny Not long ago, the most prestigious gaming conference, E3, ended, and although Apple was not represented there, its influence was felt at almost every step.
Although the conference mainly concerned the introduction of new products from traditional manufacturers (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft) and titles for classic platforms. For several years now, however, the presence of another big player has been absolutely obvious on the market - and at E3. And it's not just about the presence of developers for iOS (in addition, there still aren't that many of them and we'd rather find them at WWDC). With its iPhone, Apple not only changed the way mobile phones are viewed, but also created a new gaming platform with the help of the App Store. Along with the opening of new distribution channels, there is also a change in the view of the gaming scene: the potential to become a successful game is no longer limited to a million-dollar blockbuster, but also to a modestly financed indie game. It is enough to have a good idea and the desire to realize it; there are more than enough options for release today. After all, the proof of this can be the Mac App Store, where games from independent developers are among the most popular titles.
Although established game series understandably still hold their position, the tendency to focus on "casual" players is certainly not negligible. The reason is simple: anyone can become a gamer with the help of a smartphone. A smartphone can thus initiate even previously untouched individuals into this medium and lead them to "bigger" platforms. The three big console players then use various new technologies to increase their attractiveness. Perhaps the biggest innovator of the three, Nintendo, has long since abandoned the pursuit of the most powerful hardware possible. Instead, he introduced his handheld 3DS, which impressed with its three-dimensional display that did not require glasses to function, as well as the popular Wii console with its revolutionary Motion controller. This year, a new generation of game console called Wii U will be sold, which will include a special controller in the form of a tablet.
Like Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have come up with their own implementations of motion controls, with the latter also bringing multi-touch to its new PS Vita handheld. Bottom line, all the major hardware players are trying to get with the times and reverse the dizzying rise of smartphones and the accompanying crushing decline of handheld consoles. In the domestic segment, they also try to reach families, children, occasional or social players. Perhaps there can be no doubt that Apple has contributed to this reversal to a large extent. For decades in the console world, innovation took the form of mere races to improve hardware, which resulted in exactly the same content running apart from a handful of exclusive titles. At the most, we saw the germinal exploration of online distribution. But only after the arrival of new platforms led by iOS can we start talking about bigger changes.
However, not only the hardware goes through them, but also the content itself. Game publishers are also trying to open their products to holiday players. It's not that all games today should be inferior to the old classics; in many cases they are more accessible and faster without reducing the difficulty too much. However, there are also long-standing series that, even in the number of several parts, do not match the previously common standard (e.g. Call of Duty) in terms of playing time or playability. After all, the shift to simplification in order to appeal to as many users as possible can be seen even in such a hardcore series as Diablo. Various reviewers agree that the first Normal difficulty might as well be called Casual, and that for more experienced players it basically means a several-hour tutorial.
In short, hardcore players will have to accept the fact that the development of the gaming industry and a greater number of people interested in the medium brings, along with the obvious positives, an understandable tendency towards the mass market. Just as the rise of television opened the floodgates for commercial channels serving decadent mass entertainment, the booming gaming industry will generate shoddy, disposable products. But there is no need to break the stick, there are plenty of good titles being released today and players are willing to pay for them. While independent developers can count on supporting good products with Kickstarter services or various bundles, big publishers are increasingly reaching for anti-piracy protection, as many are not willing to pay for some quick fixes.
Although it is likely that the gaming industry would have met a similar fate with or without smartphones, Apple cannot be denied the role of a significant catalyst for the entire transformation. Games have finally become a large and respected medium, which of course has its bright and dark sides. Perhaps even more interesting than looking at the past will be watching what Apple is up to in the future. At this year's D10 conference, Tim Cook confirmed that he is aware of the important position his company has in the game business. On the one hand, he stated that he is not interested in consoles in the traditional sense, but this is understandable, because the huge costs associated with entering the established players (which Microsoft also experienced with the Xbox) might not be worth it. Moreover, it is difficult to imagine how Apple could innovate console gaming. During the interview, however, there was talk of the upcoming television, which could include some form of gaming. We can only speculate if it will still only be a connection with iOS devices or perhaps a streaming service like OnLive.
