The [url=http://www.gamespot.com]GameSpot[/url] says that the secret division's existence was revealed due to a tip-off from a source described as a tech-sector recruiter, who revealed that games industry engineers were indeed being recruited by Apple. It's unclear whether the games division, if it really exists, is for the Mac, the iPod or both.
The Mac's gaming situation is good, if not great, at the present. Still, games often come to the Windows world long before they come to the Mac. And with Apple's Boot Camp software, which allows Intel-based Macs to boot into either Mac OS X or Windows XP, there are concerns that Mac OS X-specific game development might dwindle since Mactel users can simply boot into Windows to play the latest games.
As for the iPod, it only has a few built-in games. But no one expects the device to become a serious handheld gaming platform such as the Sony PlayStation Portable or Nintendo DS. Still, according to GameSpot's report, Apple's rumored games team is specifically to work within the iTunes division -- implying that the games will be digitally distributed by Apple itself, and may be compatible with the iPod. I hope that's not the case. While some iPod games would be fine, if Apple is indeed gearing up for game development, I hope those efforts will focus on the Mac.
I agree with Arik Hesseldah, who wrote in his latest [url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2006/tc20060531_384873.htm]"Byte of the Apple" column[/url] for Business Week Online that gaming is the one area of computing where the Mac has seriously lagged in the area of software, and it's time for Apple to change that. He says Jobs & Company needs to point out that the Mac (especially the new Mactels) are good gaming systems and really push the work of developers who make Mac games. Hesseldah also says that Apple should try its hand at building good games for the Mac on its own.
"Apple is full of creative people turning out great software, but why hasn't it ever turned out a game?" he notes. "After all, gaming is in Apple's very DNA. Early in their pre-Apple careers, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (some accounts suggest that Woz did most of the work) created Breakout for Atari ... An Apple game might help prime the pump. One great game would get Mac users looking for more great games, and thus help demand, which would encourage more games. In time, one of the weakest planks in the pro-Mac sales proposition would start to look stronger."
He's right. Can you imagine if the company that gave us iLife and Mac OS X, among so many other great software products, decided to offer a "killer" Mac game title or 12/
Thoughts? Write me at daseller@earthlink.net
