For AAA games, it's not about hardware. It's about
MONEY. Sony & Microsoft spend HUGE on subsidizing games like Apple spends huge on AppleTV+ original content. Even if there is some objective case that Apple hardware is superior gaming hardware- which is NOT a given if we are being objective- that won't do it. What you need to hear tonight is that Apple is basically duplicating the AppleTV+ approach for a new gaming-focused thrust. That is:
- At least a few billion is allocated to subsidize the creation of new games.
- Apple is in active talks to buy a major game studio or two and/or franchises of major games (with intent to follow through on such purchases). Ideally, they announce they HAVE already executed a meaningful purchase to demonstrate they ARE actually putting money where their gaming mouth is.
- Apple is adding major staff to focus exclusively on games for Apple hardware.
If it's only a bunch of talk about "superior hardware," we've already seen this movie a number of times before. And we know how it plays out.
AAA game developers want the same thing Apple wants: to maximize revenue. If the other players offer significant "sure" money vs. Apple offering only "potential," which is going to get the development? Show developers how to make MORE money coding AAA game for Silicon and they will come. Show that "new Silicon has ray tracing" and they'll proclaim "finally!" and then resume development for much more abundant and lucrative platforms that have had ray tracing for a decade or two already.
- Major money: good chance of AAA games
- A bunch of talk: business as usual.
And as quickly as possible, wrap up the Epic court battle. What game developer wants to develop games for a company that demands 30% right of the top (first in line) so passionately, they will try to legally sue them into oblivion? The other channels generally work
WITH big gaming houses... not towards trying to destroy them. Make peace ASAP. That would be another very tangible way to demonstrate "we're serious about gaming." Adapt the "maximize Apple revenue" position to make it much more win:win for AAA game developers. And show Developers how there is
more money on Silicon than PC/PS5/XBOX/etc.
Or roll out this $500 AppleTV PRO (too) and hope that they will come. But this isn't some kind of tech "Field of Dreams."
Trick or Treat? TBD in hours now.