This tidbit just in from Australia’s iDigitalTimes: “It’s been recently discovered that Apple TV developers are required to have their games to support the new Siri remote controller. This latest development contradicts Apple’s initial announcement in regards to supporting third-party controllers for the new tvOS.”
Reportedly, when recently unveiled the new Apple TV, it was clear it comes with its own app store, games, and a new and improved Siri remote.
“The new remote comes with its own touchpad which makes it easier for users to navigate through the user interface of the set top box,” according to iDigitalTimes. “The remote also serves as its primary controller for games having an accelerometer and a gyroscope built inside of it.”
While initially it appeared that third-party developers could create their own games with support for other wireless gaming controllers, now it looks like “Apple has changed its mind about controller requirements and updated its programming guide.”
The change was outed by developer Rust Moyher, who took to Twitter to spread the news.
“The apparent reason behind the change seems to stem from the argument that requiring a full gamepad would mean that users who don’t have one, won’t be able to play those games,” explains iDigitalTimes. “Undestandably, the tech giant wants all of its users to be able to play all the games available regardless of whether they have a full gamepad or not. The change means that all games developed for tvOS and Apple TV MUST fully support the new remote and its touchpad. This greatly changes how developers can create games on the platform.”
One big exemption to the new clause? Activision’s Guitar Hero, which requires the use of the Guitar Hero instruments in order for users to play the game (Siri won’t work).
“This huge change in policy can greatly affect developers who’ve already begun creating games that would work on specific game controllers,” advises iDigitalTimes. “If their games don’t fully support the new Siri remote for the Apple TV, Apple could deny their games from being part of the App Store.”
