Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Adding Game Controllers
In this chapter, we are going to discuss a new feature available in iOS 7—game
controllers. Apple allowed video streaming from iOS devices to TV a long time
ago, but the lack of hardware controller support left many players underwhelmed.
Game controllers allow you to focus on the gameplay rather than controls, and if
you are using your iPhone or iPad as a controller, you don't receive any physical
feedback. This is one of the major drawbacks of touchscreen gaming—you won't
be sure whether you tapped the right thing unless you are looking at the screen.
Some companies started to work on this problem, and different controllers such
as iCade appeared. But they had one fundamental flaw in them—they had to be
supported by the developers in order to work with the game. Another issue was
connectivity. Some of them wanted to work over Bluetooth while others were
connected directly, and each of these methods had their downsides.
There were very few games that supported hardware controllers. Developers didn't
feel like supporting these controllers as the install base was far too small, which would
affect the sales, thus increasing the time spent to support them.
Another problem with such a controller is the lack of uniformity. Everybody makes
their own interface, and developers need to learn many different frameworks and
APIs in order to make these things work.
Another issue is the availability and spread of such controllers—the company might
go out of business, it may decide to not make more controllers, or their supply might
run out.
That's why supporting third-party controllers didn't work too well.
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