[railGUN]

The PC is an open platform. iOS devices are not an open platform. Apple doesn't have to compete with any other service on the iPhone or iPad. Valve has to compete with dozens of services on the PC. If you want an iPhone you have to use the App Store. If you want a PC you can get games from many different places. The Google Play marketplace is more akin to Steam than the app store.

Valve was / is a PC developer. They didn't decide to release Steam on PC because it has competition, they created Steam on the PC because it's where they were as a company. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when they released Half Life 2, they made it so you could only play it through Steam. What does that remind you of?

Edit: where else could Steam have existed, if not on PC? Game console manufacturers with walled gardens like Microsoft and Xbox wouldn't want Steam on their devices - Apple on the other hand is not like Microsoft and Sony. They don't have a stake in gaming. It actually makes sense that Apple and Valve would work together to bring Steam into Apple's walled garden.

[Acheron]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...nd-google.html

What everyone is after these days is a kind of single, unified experience where all content (music collection, movies owned or rented, plus home movies, photos, documents) is kept up on the Internet cloud, in a single place. A series of devices—phone, tablet, laptop computer, desktop computer, TV—can fetch any of that content from the cloud. Watch a movie on the phone, then pause it and watch the rest of it on the TV. Edit a document on a work computer, store it to the cloud, work on it on a tablet during the train ride home, then work on it again with a laptop on the couch at night. All this has to happen seamlessly. And it must be incredibly simple and easy to use. So far, no tech company can deliver this. But Microsoft has all the pieces. It just needs to bring them together.

So, OK: in the living room, Microsoft rules. Or it could, if it did a better job of selling Xbox to regular folks like me, as opposed to hardcore gamers. One thing that might help would be for Microsoft to come up with a remote control other than the gamer joystick thing that Xbox comes with today. And maybe redo the user interface to make the TV applications more front-and-center, instead of being buried inside a menu system.

Gaming is a side-bit of building out the complete content network that Apple, Microsoft, Google and to some extent Facebook and Sony are trying to create. Apple will probably incorporate gaming but I think people are overstating the level of importance they will give it.

[godelsmetric]

I kind of partly hope that they release a console just to see the fits of sputum-flecked apoplexy the internet tangles itself into to denounce it.

[Ulairi]

I kind of partly hope that they release a console just to see the fits of sputum-flecked apoplexy the internet tangles itself into to denounce it.

I want to see it announced for the irrational fellation that will take place by the Apple cult.

[Silly.Mikey]

But man, 4 consoles tho. Considering they practically already all have the same libraries when it comes to multi-platform games, they really better have something special that sets it apart other than it being Apple.

[godelsmetric]

I want to see it announced for the irrational fellation that will take place by the Apple cult.

I guarantee we'll have more fun!

[Barkley's Justice]

But man, 4 consoles tho. Considering they practically already all have the same libraries when it comes to multi-platform games, they really better have something special that sets it apart other than it being Apple.

Of the 4 companies, you think Apple is most likely to play the same game, so to speak, as everyone else? That's really cute.

[Xun]

If anything Jobs probably initiated the idea behind this if it is in relation to the rumoured Apple TV.

I'm not entirely sure where the story of Jobs being anti-gaming comes from.

[neptunes]

If anything Jobs probably initiated the idea behind this if it is in relation to the rumoured Apple TV. I'm not entirely sure where the story of Jobs being anti-gaming comes from.

There was a meeting with epic (or was it Id Games?) where Jobs basically said he doesn't see Games as a compelling story telling medium.

[Massa]

Valve was / is a PC developer. They didn't decide to release Steam on PC because it has competition, they created Steam on the PC because it's where they were as a company. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when they released Half Life 2, they made it so you could only play it through Steam. What does that remind you of? Edit: where else could Steam have existed, if not on PC? Game console manufacturers with walled gardens like Microsoft and Xbox wouldn't want Steam on their devices - Apple on the other hand is not like Microsoft and Sony. They don't have a stake in gaming. It actually makes sense that Apple and Valve would work together to bring Steam into Apple's walled garden.

iOS is exactly like Xbox and Playstation. Apple has no reason to give away their 30% to Valve, and Valve has no reason to do the same.

On Macs Apple doesn't force the 30% tax yet.

[Coolwhip]

Are people really discussing the possibility of apple releasing a console thats like ps360? No way that will happen. Extended gaming service, sure.

[JacksUsername]

If anything Jobs probably initiated the idea behind this if it is in relation to the rumoured Apple TV. I'm not entirely sure where the story of Jobs being anti-gaming comes from.

John Carmack also reinforced the notion that Jobs just didn't care about games:

http://kotaku.com/5033041/steve-jobs-not-a-gamer

[Silly.Mikey]

Of the 4 companies, you think Apple is most likely to play the same game, so to speak, as everyone else? That's really cute.

I dunno, but angry birds isnt gonna cut it me thinks.

[Derrick01]

One thing that might help would be for Microsoft to come up with a remote control other than the gamer joystick thing that Xbox comes with today

Man I know he's a hip non gamer or whatever but I seriously cringed reading that. People like this will kill gaming if there's enough of them.

[Louis Cyphre]

Sounds like the perfect marriage, Apple has the marketing and Valve has the know-how.

[White Man]

I would be happier if they hired Valve to fix up and\roll up iTunes and App Store. Or buy out Steam to inherit their social network.

[Haunted]

I kind of partly hope that they release a console just to see the fits of sputum-flecked apoplexy the internet tangles itself into to denounce it.

I want to see it announced for the irrational fellation that will take place by the Apple cult.

I guarantee we'll have more fun!

I can't help but be reminded of this PA comic every time I read an exchange like this.

[Baron_Calamity]

I 100% believe Apple is developing some box that hooks to your TV that will play games. That doesn't mean it will ever see the light of day. Pretty much everything Cult of the Mac ever got "wrong" later turned out to be some feature or product that got axed right before it was unveiled. Also with Jobs gone, they can start to pursue areas that he would never allow them to.

I think the biggest reason this is real is that the home entertainment device is the one thing Microsoft absolutely beats Apple at. Apple only has the Mac Mini and that has gone no where. At some point that will be a battle ground. Windows 8 is aimed at being the same on every platform. I bet the next Xbox will run Windows 8 of some short. Apple has to see that as a threat. They know all about ecosystems in terms of customer retention.

[Xun]

There was a meeting with epic (or was it Id Games?) where Jobs basically said he doesn't see Games as a compelling story telling medium.

John Carmack also reinforced the notion that Jobs just didn't care about games: http://kotaku.com/5033041/steve-jobs-not-a-gamer

There's nothing to suggest he didn't change his opinion with iOS games selling so well.

[rezuth]

There was a meeting with epic (or was it Id Games?) where Jobs basically said he doesn't see Games as a compelling story telling medium.

It was when Steve Jobs met Ron Gilbert over at Pixar which he challenged him on it, like he always would do with people and ideas. It had nothing to do with his real opinions about it, he just loved to challenge people.

John Carmack also reinforced the notion that Jobs just didn't care about games: http://kotaku.com/5033041/steve-jobs-not-a-gamer

I can believe that personally he had no interest in playing games, that does not mean he didn't see them as important business. The problem is that Jobs had been burned many times before when it came to games. Valve wanted lots of money to port over their games, Bungie got bought etc that I think he just gave up.

When the iPhone launched Jobs and the board was under the notion that promoting gaming would make the device seem childish and that would make the business sector shy away from it. However when the AppStore came around he got convinced otherwise and not only did they bring in lots of gaming developers to get early access but a large portion of the keynote was dedicated towards gaming.

He also figured that because the younger generation loved gaming so much they should create ads for the iPod Touch around this notion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LEFjxcMts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsic-8M6wbM

Steve was into everything that could sell their products, sometimes this would be obvious to Apple and sometimes this would be an afterthought but they always pushed heavily for those features to be important.

[casabolg]

Angry Birds RPG where

[Ulairi]

It was when Steve Jobs met Ron Gilbert over at Pixar which he challenged him on it, like he always would do with people and ideas. It had nothing to do with his real opinions about it, he just loved to challenge people. I can believe that personally he had no interest in playing games, that does not mean he didn't see them as important business. The problem is that Jobs had been burned many times before when it came to games. Valve wanted lots of money to port over their games, Bungie got bought etc that I think he just gave up. When the iPhone launched Jobs and the board was under the notion that promoting gaming would make the device seem childish and that would make the business sector shy away from it. However when the AppStore came around he got convinced otherwise and not only did they bring in lots of gaming developers to get early access but a large portion of the keynote was dedicated towards gaming. He also figured that because the younger generation loved gaming so much they should create ads for the iPod Touch around this notion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LEFjxcMts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsic-8M6wbM Steve was into everything that could sell their products, sometimes this would be obvious to Apple and sometimes this would be an afterthought but they always pushed heavily for those features to be important.

You need to cite where Valve wanted a cash payment to port their games to OS X.

[1-D_FTW]

It was when Steve Jobs met Ron Gilbert over at Pixar which he challenged him on it, like he always would do with people and ideas. It had nothing to do with his real opinions about it, he just loved to challenge people. I can believe that personally he had no interest in playing games, that does not mean he didn't see them as important business. The problem is that Jobs had been burned many times before when it came to games. Valve wanted lots of money to port over their games, Bungie got bought etc that I think he just gave up. When the iPhone launched Jobs and the board was under the notion that promoting gaming would make the device seem childish and that would make the business sector shy away from it. However when the AppStore came around he got convinced otherwise and not only did they bring in lots of gaming developers to get early access but a large portion of the keynote was dedicated towards gaming. He also figured that because the younger generation loved gaming so much they should create ads for the iPod Touch around this notion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LEFjxcMts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsic-8M6wbM Steve was into everything that could sell their products, sometimes this would be obvious to Apple and sometimes this would be an afterthought but they always pushed heavily for those features to be important.

I think the bigger issue came when Apple lost the business sector because IBM portrayed Apple computers as toys for kids. Not serious machines for production. I think this is what scarred him for life (even when IBM/MS computers later became a gaming haven and made the argument ridiculous).

[DodgerSan]

I always wondered something. I hear "Apple cultist" bandied about. What's the difference between an "Apple Cultist" and a "Sony Fanboy"?

I have a Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and an old iPod touch which has been passed on to my daughter. The stuff generally works well together these days, and I have a lot of content there, so it makes sense to stay in that ecosphere.

Am I an Apple Cultist?

How about if I mention I have a gaming PC with Steam on it. Or my Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, DS Lite and Wii?

It's just a stupid hip term like "fanboy" that needs to die.

[rezuth]

You need to cite where Valve wanted a cash payment to port their games to OS X.

http://www.insidemacgames.com/featur...log.php?ID=111

[fluffydelusions]

I always wondered something. I hear "Apple cultist" bandied about. What's the difference between an "Apple Cultist" and a "Sony Fanboy"? I have a Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and an old iPod touch which has been passed on to my daughter. The stuff generally works well together these days, and I have a lot of content there, so it makes sense to stay in that ecosphere. Am I an Apple Cultist? How about if I mention I have a gaming PC with Steam on it. Or my Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, DS Lite and Wii? It's just a stupid hip term like "fanboy" that needs to die.

Just use whatever you like and ignore the fanboys :)

[laika09]

I always wondered something. I hear "Apple cultist" bandied about. What's the difference between an "Apple Cultist" and a "Sony Fanboy"? I have a Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and an old iPod touch which has been passed on to my daughter. The stuff generally works well together these days, and I have a lot of content there, so it makes sense to stay in that ecosphere. Am I an Apple Cultist? How about if I mention I have a gaming PC with Steam on it. Or my Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, DS Lite and Wii? It's just a stupid hip term like "fanboy" that needs to die.

Because Steve Jobs, and science, and you're only kidding yourself.

[Gaspode_T]

Apple tv with games and a way to emulate touch with Kinect style hand gesture slapped onto it would not be a console per se...we will have to see but I am skeptical it will be anything more than that

[ckohler]

Man I know he's a hip non gamer or whatever but I seriously cringed reading that. People like this will kill gaming if there's enough of them.

I feel exactly the same way. The way he uses the word "joystick" screams "I can't use a controller so they must not be worth using".

[zerokoolpsx]

Kinect like motion sensors on an Apple tv? Already not interested. I can see Valve entering the console market, but Apple? A bunch of ported games from iOS unless they get some amazing killer launch games. Brand alone won't save it from tanking.

[ced]

You all realize it could just be an updated Apple TV that has App Store support and lets you control with your iOS device right? That could be considered a console, but I wouldn't label it as such.

[Harlock]

And the heat of competition is good for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo don´t shit too much in the consumer side.