It is a big problem. Not many will buy $100 joysticks that is for certain. And they need to market it too, even Apple Geniuses know nothing of them. Probably the only people in the world with ios joysticks are a handful of us serious gamers on TA and elsewhere. No Apple publicity is really hurting the cause, but who knows maybe Apple is waiting for it to pick up and sell their own stick whenever it finally becomes mainstream.
I know Mad Catz was aiming for $49 - it's a solid, well built controller, comparable to the Xbox 360 or PS3 controllers which are similarly priced. Razer asking 100 bucks for the Junglecat seems like a huge problem. I own a PSP GO. Gaming on that it is a worse experience than ANY of the existing MFi controllers. Maybe the Junglecat will do more with that form factor, but I'd be shocked to see it do enough to justify the price. I'm really hoping that I've been misinformed about the 100 dollar price tag. We'll know on June 3rd...
What you think Apple would actually allow other companies to do the ground work for them to "take the losses" and "test the demand"?..people like Logitech & Moga are showing signs of big losses from this half baked MFi Program, and it is all down to Apples MFi policy.. Before anyone says otherwise.. The price IS set by Apples required component chain of supply for their MFi approval. I refuse to see why we as gamers continue to pay our hard earned cash for lame excuses wrapped in technical mumbo jumbo, it's not like these controllers offer us anything new over what we have been using for the past 20 years. the only thing we are getting is the privilege of playing a game on an iPhone. So does this "privilege" mean we have to pay double/triple the going rate for a controller? Sorry it is unacceptable. And this Unacceptance has been proven by the lack lustre sales of Powershell ,MOGA and steelseries, who are by what looks like are now running as fast as they can out of the MFi Program. Apple:- "We are gamers who have iPhones, not people with iPhones who plays games" there is a difference. it's gamers with iPhones who will support & buy these controllers, it doesn't work the other way around.
Actually, MOGA and SteelSeries have been happy with the sales of their MFi controllers thus far, and both have successors in the works. Logitech has yet to comment on the record, but seem to be heavily promoting the controllers in stores across the world - not the sign of a failure, such as their Google TV box a few years back. The article everyone is basing their opinions about cost structure on was incorrect, according to SteelSeries and Mad Catz. Apple does NOT require MFi controller makers to use specific companies or specific parts - the requirements are simply that every button must be pressure sensitive, and must be able to withstand a specified number of presses. Any supplier that meets those specifications is fair game for controller makers. The Powershell generally retails for $69, though is regularly on sale for $49. The Moga retails for $69. The SteelSeries retails for $79, though is often on sale for $69. In contrast, the Xbox One controller retails for $59, as does the PS4 controller. A little cheaper, sure. But by no means is the idea of a $69 iPhone controller exorbitant, at least compared to the price of a console controller. The problem is, the current crop of iPhone controllers simply aren't as good as the major console controllers. They don't earn their price. Remember one critical thing about Apple: they are a premium brand. They don't sell cheap products in their stores. It is very likely that they'd have absolutely no interest in selling a $20 dollar chinese MFi controller. Such controllers will probably exist someday, but the major companies will always be trying to sell through Apple, which means selling premium products at healthy profit margins, not racing to the bottom.
They are so happy that they are not listed on the Apple store anymore? Also Amazon are starting to pull the controllers. Both Logitech and MOGA have larger batteries, and yes it's a good feature,this was an attempt to justify the cost. . my knowledge is not based on any article or speculation. Currently there are only 2 companies that are MFi certified for the pressure sensitive buttons, the cost to tool the membranes for these are ridiculous..I could give you costs but will not post on public forum, lets just say they are at least 1000 times more expensive than the standard rubber key method as used in PS3 dualshocks and other controller..which I must stress are perfectly fine.. And who sets and controls these standards...answer...Apple. If Apple release a controller on par with XBX1 for $60 I'd be quiet happy with that.. Infact not happy.. It's what I expect from a as you put it "premium" brand.. Will it ever happen under the current circumstances by a 3rd party manufacturer?
The SteelSeries controller is readily available from Apple. The PowerShell was recently removed from the store by Apple, but is still widely available at Best Buys, Amazon, Target - more places than any other MFi controller ever has been. Not sure what the deal with MOGA is - they aren't shipping customers' orders from their own store on time, and are refusing to return emails. Not sure if that company is even in business anymore. If they folded, it probably has little to do with Apple - MOGA is a sibling company with Power-A, which is a major accessory maker for all consoles. Neither one have said a word publicly in months. Regarding manufacturing costs, All I have to go on are statements from SteelSeries and Mad Catz that Apple's manufacturing requirements weren't particularly problematic. If you've heard otherwise from a source other than the article those controller makers specifically refuted, I'd love to know more - really! The one truly awful Apple requirement I'm aware of is the circular dpad design. Apple requires it, the controller makers hate it, and the sooner that restriction gets removed the better. I'm not sure if Apple has any intention of releasing their own controller in the near future, or if they're content letting other companies with more familiarity in gaming do all the work. The results of letting other companies fight it out has been mixed so far, but only three controllers are available today. I know of about 10 more coming later. As for Apple, we might learn more about their plans tomorrow - I know I'll be watching the keynote!
There are many areas in development of extra cost in the MFi program.. Here's another for you.. The "Color"'of the ABXY buttons..you think they are Green,Red,Blue and Yellow??? Think again. They are Apple MFi certified colours that require individual approval.. From yes ..you guessed it 1 authorised testing facility. . With all these high standards set in place with the goal to build premium product.., yet Apple themselves do not even test if games are compatible with controllers the procedures set by them.. Here's one, All MFi games must conform to the "standard layout" How many do? Infact howmany are even tested for controller support.?? The answer is.. There is no procedure for Dev's to submit apps that have controller support,or for Apple test apps are compatible with MFi controllers.
Regarding the first point, I don't know if that's true. Not saying you're wrong, but I don't have any first-hand knowledge one way or another. If it is true, they're not doing a great job - all the buttons look slightly different on every controller! You do sound like you know what you're talking about here, and I really would be interesting in learning more about where you're getting your info, if you'd be interesting in sharing, publicly or privately. There have been so many mixed reports from controller makers about this matter... Regarding the last point, believe me, I know all about how messed up the situation is. I hand-tested every single one of the 337 (and counting!) games with every controller when building my compatibility list. Several controller makers themselves are basing their own compatability lists off of my list now - absolutely insane. Finding games with support is completely hit and miss, as no controller information is stored by Apple anywhere. Apple is completely dropping the ball on the software front.
Your site and others are the only way to find games that work with Apple game controllers which are very much appriciated, your reviews are well informative and honest. MFi game controller sites I found are really good these are afterpad ,mfi4gamerz , mfigames & this TA thread. If it wasn't for you guys MFi gaming would be in a worse state of affairs than it already is. Let's hope Apple take notice and actually does something to support Apple gaming in tomorrow's Conference. I'm guessing it won't even get a mention.
Thanks for the kind words It is crazy though that third party sites are the only way to find this information right now. Absolutely nuts that Apple is dropping the ball on that point. I'm cautiously optimistic that Apple will have something to say tomorrow. Possibly not during the big keynote, though. But if this week goes by without a single mention of MFi controllers, that's a problem. Ultimately, I've long believed that this entire MFi controller program is simply laying the groundwork for a new Apple TV with gaming. Tomorrow would be a great time to announce such a product... We'll see
If your correct that's a very underhand way of doing business if not illegal, allowing other companies "fail in your name" let this conversation go down on record pointing this out. Eitherway i do hope Apple announce an Apple TV with BT controller support, it would be a definate step in the right direction for Apple Gaming..but not at the expense of others is what I object about.
I actually don't use a controller with my games, I just don't need to. I don't think these controllers will become very popular tbh.. It'd weird because I was all hype about iOS MFI support and integration. But all that has fallen flat IMO
Not surprised that there was no mention during the keynote, but they did confirm that MFi controller support is coming to OSX Yosemite. As I've said in the past, I think MFi controllers in their current form are a prelude to more ambitious plans from Apple. We're seeing the early days of something bigger, in the MFi controller program as it exists today. This was still a huge event for gaming and game development on iOS, make no mistake of that.
That is cause Apple has done nothing yet to support an ios console. It is sad to see all these ios game controller manufacturers failing. Really is, and only Apple can capitalize if an ios console comes out with their joystick. But that is how business works, and it is a shrewd move by Apple to gain on an ios console one day. Maybe next year or the year after with the ipad pro I hope. Sad to say, but an ios console can not happen really well either with lightning HDMI or Appletv airplay. There will need to be a good HDMI out somehow. Apple will jump in eventually. But it may take some time.
I didnt see it supported in the section of supported controllers, but just to double check, does gamelofts Pro Duo work with mfi controller enabled games?
Some say maybe it will be able to be used later maybe as a jailbroken mfi game controller. Anyone see any new releases with ios joystick support? Seems like another really slow week.
