Apple has apparently “confirmed” to game developers that it will release an official, dedicated game controller for iOS titles later this year.
Reporting from the Games Developers’ Conference in San Francisco, PocketGamer.biz said Apple has openly discussed its plans with games industry figures to ensure high-profile titles will be compatible with the peripheral at launch.
The report claims Apple was active at the show, briefing developers on the Control Pad from a meeting room booked under an alias to keep everything under the radar.
According to PocketGamer sources, Apple plans to officially unveil the long-rumored Control Pad at a media event in April, which is rumored to see the arrival of the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.
The device, or a prototype, wasn’t physically on display at the show, and developers have not yet been notified of a possible release date, according to the report.
The introduction of a dedicated controller would likely be Apple’s answer to the Kickstarter-funded, Android-based Ouya games console, which brings smaller, mobile-style games into the living room for £100.
The aim of this console is to offer a previously blocked entry into the living room for small, independent game developers who have until now struggled for a voice on the big consoles.
Apple’s offering would free gamers from the touchscreen (we’d certainly love to play FIFA 13 on a controller) but also open the door for the rumored launch of an app store for the Apple TV set-top box where users can keep playing her television.
Apple has yet to officially confirm the launch of this peripheral, but we’re sure it would sell by the absolute bucket load if today’s reports prove correct.
It wouldn’t be the first peripheral to hit the market, there is
Plenty of third-party options, like the ION iCade already available, but stick an Apple logo on a gaming controller and watch it fly.
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