Games

Why requiring games to support the Apple TV remote is the right decision

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 15, 2015

As first brought to our attention by MacRumors' Juli Clover, Apple is requiring that games created for the Apple TV must support the Apple TV remote. This means that developers cannot create games that require an external Bluetooth controller to play, although games can use Bluetooth controllers as an alternative means of control.

While this may sound a bit harsh on the part of Apple, seeing that some games feature control schemes that are more ideal for a traditional controller, I think that it's the right direction. How frustrating would it be for a user to download a game, only to find out that they can't play the game due to not having the necessary hardware? And how frustrating would it be to browse the App Store, and see tons of games that have prerequisites for a piece of hardware that didn't come bundled with the Apple TV?

This might not sit well with some developers and some gamers, but it's the right decision for the greater good.

Open-world survival adventure Radiation Island named IGN’s Free Game of the Month

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2015

If you're on the lookout for a not-to-be-missed freebie for your iPhone and iPad, look no further than IGN's latest Free Game of the Month, Radiation Island by Atypical Games.

This open-world survival adventure game puts you in the shoes of a WWII military scientist who seem to be experiencing some sort of radiation poisoning and must survive on an island inhabited by weird creatures.

Radiation Island sells for $2.99 in the App Store and has never gone free since its App Store debut this summer. It currently has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on nearly 4,000 App Store reviews.

Minimal action game Super Hexagon goes free within Apple Store shopping app

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2015

Apple is giving away free copies of Super Hexagon, a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel. This nicely done iPhone and iPad game is being provided as a free download exclusively through the official Apple Store shopping app.

“Be challenged by the difficult yet beautiful gameplay of Super Hexagon,” writes Apple. “Survive as long as you can through endless levels of minimalist puzzles.”

Super Hexagon has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on submissions from nearly 9,000 App Store reviewers. The game currently sells for $2.99 in the App Store so make sure to grab it at no charge through the official Apple Store shopping app, here's how.

Star Wars: Uprising review – the journey to ‘The Force Awakens’ has begun

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

As a self-proclaimed Star Wars fan, I am both excited and have trepidations about the upcoming seventh installment. That does not, however, stop me from getting overly excited about the hype leading up to The Force Awakens, and that includes video games.

Star Wars: Uprising is being billed as the game that bridges the storyline between Return of the Jedi and TFA. While it may fill in the story gaps, is it a game worth investing your time in? We've got a full game review of Star Wars: Uprising for you today.

Here’s the first emulator built for the new Apple TV

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

One of the new Apple TV’s biggest upsides is its game playing ability. Indeed, Apple’s next generation Apple TV will focus heavily on gaming, and even comes equipped with a Wii-inspired motion remote/controller with a touchpad.

Certain developers are already licking their chops at the possibilities of the Apple TV as a gaming hub. In fact, one such developer has already used the now-available Apple TV simulator to run an emulator. This emulator allows for old-school games, like the Sega classic Golden Axe, to be played.

One such example is with an emulator named Provenance. Developed by James Addyman, Provenance is a multi-emulator capable of emulating games from a variety of legacy hardware. Provenance is already running on the Apple TV simulator found inside the latest version of Xcode.

EA silently pulls nearly two dozen classic iPhone and iPad games from App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2015

Electronics Arts, the world's top developer and publisher of video games and one of the most prolific makers of mobile games for the iPhone and iPad, has quietly removed a bunch of classic iOS titles from both the App Store and Google's Play store.

As first reported by TouchArcade, hit games such as the original Real Racing, Need for Speed Shift, Flight Control, Mass Effect: Infiltrator and many more can no longer be purchased in the App Store, nor will they be supported going forward.

Somewhat unbelievably, the wrist strap for Siri Remote is an accessory sold separately

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2015

At long last, the new Apple TV will allow users to download apps from a dedicated App Store and—yes—games! But the Apple TV's sleek new Siri Remote has the Wiimote problem: it can smash your TV.

So what do you do if you're afraid of accidentally flinging the Siri Remote into your big screen TV when playing games like Beat Sports, which requires you to swing the remote? Get Apple's Remote Loop which, somewhat unbelievably, isn't bundled with the new set-top box—it's an accessory sold separately.

The Walking Dead: Road to Survival review – play from the others’ point of view

Lory Gil ∙ September 11, 2015

The Walking Dead, which started as an indie comic in 2003 has, in the past decade, become the most popular zombie story since George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. There are TV shows, books, games, and more, based on Robert Kirkman's original adventure.

A recent addition to the mobile gaming world is The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, which is a city building game that incorporates battle elements. You can play alone to complete missions, or go on raids with your in-game faction to gain needed supplies. We've got a full game review of The Walking Dead: Road to Survival for you today.

Infinity Blade III goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Heads up gamers, Apple has just named "Infinity Blade III" its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you'll be able to download Chair's epic blockbuster slasher for free on both iPhone and iPad—saving you $6.99.

As the third and final installment in the brilliant Infinity Blade franchise, this game really needs no introduction. Playing as either Siris or Isa, you are tasked with exploring beautiful dynamic 3D worlds, picking up items and slashing enemies along the way.

Meet Nimbus, the first gamepad designed specifically for the new Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

SteelSeries and Apple on Wednesday announced the Nimbus, the first gamepad designed specifically for the new Apple TV. It's unclear how much Apple was involved in the development of the controller, but the company is highlighting it on its website and there does seem to be an above-average level of cooperation here.

For starters, the Nimbus features a Lightning port for revitalizing its internal battery, which SteelSeries says will provide gamers with more than 40 hours of gaming per charge. It also has an extra large Menu button, similar to the one found on the new Apple TV remote, which could allow users to navigate around the new tvOS.

Maximum size of an Apple TV app limited to 200MB, apps must store all data in iCloud

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 9, 2015

It's interesting that we haven't seen any major triple-A games shown off as part of today's on-stage demos of third-party applications for the new Apple TV.

Now it's clear why: the existing multi-gigabyte iPhone and iPad games such as the Infinity Blade trilogy, Asphalt 8 and many more must be refactored to fit the inexplicable 200MB limit for an Apple TV app.

This means that assets like new levels and worlds will be retrieved on demand from the App Store, indicating Apple is positioning its new box as a casual gaming device for your living room rather than a full-on gaming console.

Apps and games make their way to Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ September 9, 2015

Apple on Wednesday announced a new version of the Apple TV, and it is awesome. It has a redesigned remote control, a refreshed interface, and support for voice commands via Siri. But what really pushes the device over the top is its support for native apps and games.

As expected, the next-generation set-top box features an App Store, and Apple invited some developers up on stage today to give us an idea of its potential. The game you see above is a Wii Sports-like motion game, called Beats Sports, from Rock Band developer Harmonix.