Apple Working On Physical Game Controller For iOS Devices [Updated]

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Apple could makes this look not so archaic.
Apple could makes this look not so archaic.

iOS is the most popular gaming platform in existence, and Apple has managed to create an incredible ecosystem of titles with only iOS devices. The company sells no actual controllers or joypads; everything is touch-based.

So does it make sense for Apple to make a physical game controller that somehow connects to your iPhone and iPad? According to a new report, the answer is yes.

PocketGamer has learned that Apple allegedly met with developers at the annual Game Developers Conference this past week to give a heads up about some kind of joypad. Apple reportedly booked a room at the trade show under a fake name to avoid the press.

Of course, there’s no official word yet, but Apple has been active during the conference talking to developers about its plans and ensuring plenty of games will support the joypad at launch.

Apple has consulted high-profile game makers like EA and Gameloft before the release of upcoming products before. Several new games are usually shown from the stage at a given event to demonstrate the power of new Apple hardware. According to the report, Apple hasn’t shown any developers what its joypad actually looks like.

PocketGamer doesn’t have much of a track record to speak of when it comes to Apple stuff, but the site obviously has connections with the gaming industry. The site says it expects Apple to announce the controller around April. PocketGamer previously reported that Apple was working on a special section of the App Store that would sell premium games for $20.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of an Apple joypad, however. Anandtech said that there’s “an internal Apple project to bring a physical controller to market” last year. Apple has probably prototyped such a device, but that doesn’t mean it will be sold in the Apple Store one day.

Releasing something like this alongside an updated Apple TV makes sense. Who wouldn’t want to play their favorite iOS games on the big screen with a real controller?

Update: Jim Dalrymple of The Loop has given one of his legendary “nopes” on this rumor. Dalrymple has a pretty infallible track record when it comes to predicting Apple’s plans, so it looks as though a game controller is sadly not happening.

Source: PocketGamer

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