Apple Moves to Embrace Videogame Controllers

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Originally published June 14, 2013

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.

 

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