Mac as a Gaming Platform?

[Jesús Díaz Blanco]

> We've recently bought some Mac games for our children.

Lucky you.

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<borat>NYAT!</borat>

Gizmodo exclusive: Apple and Nintendo to share technology on iTV and Wii

<http://es.gizmodo.com/2006/12/28/exclusiva_gizmodo_apple_y_nint.html>

Personally, after experiencing the Wii since it was released in  
Europe, I think the Apple + Nintendo solution is the way to go. Not a  
fusion or buyout but a technology exchange and product integration  
alliance. There's so much to win for both sides.

For Apple, to get a direct channel into the living room and the  
massive home entertainment market (look at the figures, they are  
mindblowing). Fo Nintendo, to get the multimedia experience they need  
to compete with MS and Sony, the movie and music downloads that the  
Xbox 360 is offering now, and soon the PS3 will offer as well. The  
consoles are a natural in the living room. They have been making  
their case —and succeeding— since the 80s. The iTV-like devices,  
however, are still a selling proposition, something that they have to  
convince people about, an add-on. It will be an uphill battle for  
Apple to get consumer to add yet another device into the living room,  
specially when you see what other companies from Korea, China and  
Taiwan are doing now with similar devices (which offer the same  
integration, great ease of use — my brother has one which is simply  
amazingly powerful and easy to use) and probably even greater  
convenience and compatibility than anything Apple will be able to  
offer (because of their compromises with the movie industry). For  
sure, the Mac gaming is a complete joke compared to the alternatives  
and to think about Apple competing with MS, Sony and Nintendo is  
simply a no-no.

Microsoft has played out this one beautifully, IMO. They have  
introduced a powerful console that works, is available in quantities,  
is getting great 2nd generation games (Gears of War and more to come,  
like jawdropping Halo 3) and is growing in (very good) services. They  
have HD DVD but, for me, the most powerful asset is Xbox Live. That's  
where the action and the opportunity is. The may not be doing it  
entirely perfect now, but they are getting there. The movies and  
music download, right there in the living room, the possible  
integration with Zune... the whole thing could play out extremely well.

But still, Microsoft's Xbox 360 is not for everyone (yet). Just like  
I think the PS3 is not for everyone. The Nintendo Wii, however, is  
cheap and chirpy and accessible. It's what Apple would have done if  
they did a console. And they are rocking in the marketplace big time.  
The experience it offers is a joy, absolutely amazing and natural,  
just like the Mac and iPod are. They are also well positioned in  
terms of integration in the current living room, since I think HDTV  
is not going to be here for a while (and like they did with the DS, I  
won't be surprised to see a revision in 2008 to accomodate for HD, at  
the right price to boot).

Both Apple and Nintendo need each other to get into this battle with  
the most possibilities to come out victorious in all fronts. The  
timing is right and the way to do it could be so simple from a  
software development point of view. No matter how you look at it,  
it's a win-win situation for both companies.

And of course, it won't happen.

Or maybe yes. Who knows.

j.

P.S. And yes, the link is a speculating joke — today is Spain's april  
fools equivalent — but it makes so much sense for all parties that I  
won't be surprised if anyone hasn't thought about it. :-)