If Sony left the gaming market, and Apple took their place, what would happen?

Thread title says it all. Its unlikely that Sony will leave gaming, but if they did, and Apple filled their void, what do you think would happen?

In my opinion, I belive that if Aplle entered into the game console market there would be a vast change in competition from the way it is today. Right now, MS seems content to focus on casuals, what with the little competition from Nintendo and their dying Wii and with Sony not able to get blockbuster exclusives like Microsoft.

If Apple were to enter into the market, I think that Microsoft and the Xbox would immediatly turn into the uber-hardcore machine that the original Xbox was, andcease the meddling in the casual market. Why? Because Microsoft would be desperate to claim the hardcore crowd before Apple learned about the gaming world. Unlike Sony and Nintendo, Apple would be a Beast of a monster to defeat in marketing, as everyone knows that Apple has some of the best advertising around. Apple always caters to the bigger audience first, in which this case would be the casuals. Microsoft would know that they would have to make the Xbox the console to beat for hardcore gamers, just like they have done with the PC platform.

Microsoft would most likely begin buying up studios that crank out top-tier hardcore titles (EA, Epic Games) and use that as leverage against the Apple machine.

Nintendo would probably be unaffected due to the sheer amount of Japanese influence they have, and their nostalgia factor.

What do you think, System Wars? If this crazy scenario came true, what effect would it have on MS and Ninty?

They would release a ridiculously expensive system.

It would be a sad, sad day for gaming. Apple does a lot of things well, but gaming really isn't one of them.

I'd feel so bad for being so mean to cows. Cows are a million times better than worms.Eponique

What would happen?

Exactly 213 nuclear explosions.

Microsoft would most likely begin buying up studios that crank out top-tier hardcore titles (EA, Epic Games) and use that as leverage against the Apple machine.

Plagueless

An over priced console that will lead the sales throughout the generation.

Apple sucks. Cows would riot. :P

They would make a popular gaming console that will cost as much as a gaming PC, except without the utility of one.

An over priced console that will lead the sales throughout the generation.

sailor232

And most likely they are gonna charge you $30 for each firmware update lol.

[QUOTE="Eponique"]I'd feel so bad for being so mean to cows. Cows are a million times better than worms.Plagueless

If apple joined the console market, we'd see Wii Hardware sold for $400 just because it's "Apple". Don't believe me? Check out the Mac prices and compare them to PC.

What would happen? I shudder to think.
Would they stick to a $.99/app store model or actually try to keep console games as-is?

What would happen? I shudder to think.
Would they stick to a $.99/app store model or actually try to keep console games as-is?

TheGreyLute

You think Apple would actually pay for a game to be produced and then sell it for a dollar?

Gross. I'll take Sony fanboys over Apple fanboys any day of the week. Keep Apple out of my console gaming please.

Also, if that happened, I think we'd see a huge paradigm shift in mobile and console gaming.

But I can't see Apple getting in on the gaming market in the same capacity as MS and Nintendo. They've already carved out a nice enough niche in the handheld market with the iPhone that I think they're plenty happy with.

They would release a ridiculously expensive system.

waltefmoney

You think Apple would actually pay for a game to be produced and then sell it for a dollar?waltefmoney

No. I meant that they might move the smartphone experience over to a "console" and you'd pretty much be playing smartphone games on a big screen. Maybe with the iPhone(or Pad or Touch) as the controler.

[QUOTE="waltefmoney"]You think Apple would actually pay for a game to be produced and then sell it for a dollar?TheGreyLute

No. I meant that they might move the smartphone experience over to a "console" and you'd pretty much be playing smartphone games on a big screen. Maybe with the iPhone(or Pad or Touch) as the controler.

Probably not.

They would release a ridiculously expensive system.

waltefmoney

This. They wouldn't stand a chance in the gaming market with the way that they charge the majority of their stuff for. Casuals won't spend more than $300 or $350 on a home gaming console.

The iConsole will appear on the scene at a launch price of $1250, and that is the 4GB version.RAGEofSTUNTS

Pretty much this and their 120GB version would cost your life savings.

Touchscreen TV Gaming.

Everyone would be pretending to do hard core gaming on their apple systems in starbucks while they drink their over priced coffees.

[QUOTE="RAGEofSTUNTS"]The iConsole will appear on the scene at a launch price of $1250, and that is the 4GB version.sonic1564

Pretty much this and their 120GB version would cost your life savings.

Also, the 320GB would also cost your house and your first born.

They would release a ridiculously expensive system.

waltefmoney

[QUOTE="waltefmoney"]

They would release a ridiculously expensive system.

bbkkristian

If that's the case, then they would be the dumbest people on the block. I've never heard of casuals spending more than either $300 or $350 on a home gaming console.

[QUOTE="bbkkristian"][QUOTE="waltefmoney"]

They would release a ridiculously expensive system.

garland51

If that's the case, then they would be the dumbest people on the block. I've never heard of casuals spending more than either $300 or $350 on a home gaming console.

I think the industry would change faster. Apple isn't the first for what they do, but they innovate so much that other companies have no choice but to follow if they want to compete at all. Just look at smartphones. There were hadly any before the iPhone, but after the iphone came out and brought the idea to the mainstream you have tons of options. Same thing happened with tablets. Sure, there were tablets out before the iPad, but Apple came in and changed the tablet industry and made them meainstream. Most major products that they make completely change the industry. The same would happen with video games. Apple would take an idea that has been done already, make it better, and become the industry leaders. Although, now that Steve Jobs is gone what i just said might not be true - he was the one that made Apple what it is.

That would suck.

Gross. I'll take Sony fanboys over Apple fanboys any day of the week.The_Game21x

Mmmm weeell...more or less, lol.

Back on topic, though, I doubt that Apple would actually be able to pull it off with a clean start, but when they eventually get things rolling, I wouldn't be surprised if they become something of a black sheep among the market-aware gaming community, 'ey..

Here's to hoping that the industry has a bright future ahead of her and such plagues never actually occur though, yeah? xP

You thought dlc that unlocks on-disc content was bad? Apple's first party games would cost $60, but the game won't boot unless you buy an activation key.

I honestly don't think Apple will enter the console market, but I'm not sure who would fill the void if Sony exited the gaming market.

What is this unwritten law that states only 3 consoles can be in the market at once?

Why would someone "take their place"?

What is this unwritten law that states only 3 consoles can be in the market at once?

Why would someone "take their place"?

whiskeystrike

Because 3 is the magic number that allows all console manufacturers to thrive. Throw in a 4th and you've got an over-saturated market, and all 4 consoles fail.

p.s. the above post isn't serious