Apple Moves to Embrace Videogame Controllers

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By Ian Sherr

Apple Inc. angling to court makers of sophisticated games and people who play them, is trying to spur the creation of game controllers for its mobile devices and computers.

The Silicon Valley tech giant has developed new software specifications to help other companies make game controllers that work with its iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches and Macs, according to documentation sent to developers seen by The Wall Street Journal.

Apple said the specifications are designed to ensure that all controllers “have consistent sets of control elements that both players and game designers can rely on,“ according to the document, which stresses that videogames must be able to be controlled in other ways. “Controllers must enhance gameplay–they must not be required.“

The document states that controller specifications and related software support will be included in iOS 7, a forthcoming version of Apple‘s mobile operating system unveiled at its annual developer conference Monday. They will also be included in OSX 10.9, or Mavericks, a new revision of the Mac operating system.

 

To read the rest of the story, either contact me directly or read more online at the WSJ: here. (subscription required)

 

(Published June 14, 2013 on The Wall Street Journal’s website.)

 

Sony Boosts Internal Sales Estimates for PlayStation 4

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By Ian Sherr

LOS ANGELES—Sony Corp. is raising internal sales projections for the forthcoming PlayStation 4 videogame console amid positive signs about demand for the device, executives of the Japanese electronics company said Tuesday.

Andrew House, global head of Sony’s PlayStation videogame business, said the company is shifting its internal projections for the product after favorable reactions to the company’s presentation Monday at the Electronics Entertainment Expo here this week. He did not quantify those projections.

The company said it will sell the PlayStation 4 later this year for $399, and began letting consumers place preorders Monday night. Contrary to rival Microsoft Corp., which is releasing the Xbox One for $499 in November, Sony will not offer publishers technology to restrict the resale or sharing of disc-based games.

Excitement from gamers was evident on Amazon.com Inc.’s website, as the PlayStation 4 jumped to the top of the list of best-selling videogame products on the website. Sales were apparently so high that Amazon included a warning that it could no longer guarantee release-date availability for new preorders.

Jack Tretton, head of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, said GameStop Corp. executives had told him the company would buy “every single unit” Sony can manufacture if it could. “We’re excited about the momentum,” he said.

 

To read the rest of the story, either contact me directly or read more online at the WSJ: here. (subscription required)

 

(Published June 11, on The Wall Street Journal’s website.)