iOS gaming

18 'iOS gaming' stories November 2011 - May 2024

Gaming emulator apps are best played with one of these iOS-supported game controllers

Ryan Christoffel May 20 2024 - 9:25 am PT

Cloud gaming | MFi iPhone game controller

Game emulator apps are having a moment on the iPhone and iPad. Thanks to a recent App Store rule change, Apple is now permitting retro gaming emulators on its devices, and developers have wasted no time meeting the pent-up market demand.

Retro gaming was never meant to happen on touch displays, though. These games were designed with a physical controller in mind.

Here are some of the best iOS-compatible game controllers to elevate your gaming experience.

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Play console-quality games on iPhone with the Xbox RiotPWR controller

Bradley Chambers Aug 21 2022 - 9:00 am PT

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When I was younger and had fewer responsibilities, I played games all the time. Gaming was my top hobby, starting with the original NES through the original Xbox. I even worked at EBGames during college as well. When I started a family, I had to trim up my hobbies, and sadly, I stopped playing games. As my kids have gotten older, I have a little more time on my hands – but not enough to want to invest in a game system. I’ve dabbled with Stadia, but it’s limited on games. I’ve recently played a few games on Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the RiotPWR controller turns the iPhone into a great mobile gaming device. Let’s look at how to enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming on iPhone.

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Sony wants to double the number of PlayStation titles on iPhone by 2025

Allison McDaniel May 26 2022 - 7:27 am PT

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Want to play your favorite PlayStation titles from wherever? Well, eventually you’ll have more options than ever to play on your iPhone. Sony is apparently making efforts to expand its PlayStation titles on PC and mobile by 2025. These details come from an investor day presentation, according to The Verge.

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AT&T customers can play ‘Control Ultimate Edition’ on iPhone for free

Allison McDaniel May 23 2022 - 1:53 pm PT

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Customers on a postpaid AT&T plan can play the AAA game Control Ultimate Edition on their iPhones. Through Google’s Immersive Stream for Games, customers have click-to-play access on their smartphone, tablet, or computer.

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Netflix continues foray into iOS gaming with ‘Exploding Kittens’ app and series

Allison McDaniel Apr 18 2022 - 10:22 am PT

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Netflix has been continuing to expand into the gaming sphere for a while. Announced today, the streaming giant and card game Exploding Kittens are collaborating on a mobile game and animated TV series. Exploding Kittens – The Game is “an exclusive version of the beloved mobile game” and will launch next month.

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Opera GX launches as a dedicated gaming browser for iOS/Android, perfect for xCloud and GeForce Now

Michael Potuck Jun 15 2021 - 8:05 am PT

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Web gaming on iPhone and Android continues to gain momentum with services like Microsoft’s xCloud and Nvidia’s GeForce Now and Opera is opening up the beta of its customized browser for gamers today. The new Opera GX is available to try now and comes with haptic feedback, custom skins, gaming news/deals, and more.

Update 6/15: Opera GX for iPhone and iPad has now left beta and is available for all users for free on the App Store (and Android too).

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Demoed at WWDC, Epic Zen Garden is now available to download in the App Store

Benjamin Mayo Sep 18 2014 - 6:09 am PT

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First shown at WWDC to demonstrate Metal (Apple’s new graphics API), Epic Zen Garden is now available in the App Store to download and try out on your newly-updated iOS 8 device. Although this is more of a tech demo than a fully-fledged game, you can still get some enjoyment out of raking the sand or playing with the fish in the pond. There are several different areas to explore which show off the power of the GPU in your iOS device. It does look good.

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Will Microsoft’s purchase of Mojang mean the end of Minecraft for Mac & iOS users?

Jordan Kahn Sep 15 2014 - 6:42 am PT

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With news breaking today that Minecraft-maker Mojang has officially sold to Microsoft, the first question that comes to my mind is what this might mean for Mac and iOS users.

Microsoft now has the ability and probably much incentive to make future versions of Minecraft Xbox and or Windows-only and, unfortunately, its statement on the topic isn’t reassuring to say the least. Here’s the statement from Mojang on development for various platforms:

There’s no reason for the development, sales, and support of the PC/Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Vita, iOS, and Android versions of Minecraft to stop. Of course, Microsoft can’t make decisions for other companies or predict the choices that they might make in the future.

We’re extremely proud of all editions and the awesome things you have achieved through playing together.

That’s far from a promise that Microsoft will indeed keep the game alive on all platforms, and also up in the air is where the company’s current employees and projects will end up after the deal. For now, versions of the game are still available to download for Mac and iOS.

Apple continues to dominate mobile gaming, but Android is moving up fast

David Beren Dec 17 2013 - 7:42 am PT

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From 9to5Google:

As Samsung works to capture more of the Android gaming market with the release of a new controller, a new analytics study shows Android gaming is on the rise. Apple may be considered the dominant leader in the mobile gaming category and it remains steadily in the driver’s seat, but 2013 indicated the Play Store is moving up fast.

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Expect even better 3D gaming from A8 chip as ARM acquires Geomerics

Ben Lovejoy Dec 13 2013 - 5:22 am PT

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http://vimeo.com/70540675

If you thought the gaming performance of Apple’s 64-bit A7 chip was good, there is likely even better to come in future following ARM’s acquisition of 3D gaming specialist Geomerics.

Geomerics specialises in photo-realistic graphics, and its technology is used in games like Battlefield 4, Inquisition and Primal Carnage. The company’s Enlighten system means that once a light-source like the sun has been positioned in a scene, Enlighten takes care of generating all the shadows, reports VentureBeat.

“Enlighten has helped EA provide new levels of realism and gameplay experience in titles such as our highly popular Battlefield franchise,” said Carl Almgren, Head of Development, Frostbite Game Engine. “We’re delighted that ARM is committed to on-going development on all the key game console platforms and graphics architectures, as well as the on-going development of Geomerics’ technologies.”

The company will be a subsidiary of ARM, but continue to operate independently.

Review: RoboMouse HD is a classic strategy game reinvented for the iPad

Sarah Guarino Oct 27 2013 - 12:00 pm PT

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RoboMouse HD is a new iPad strategy and tower-defense game from LongKoo Studio. It features a straightforward premise and easy-to-pickup gameplay mechanic that can be quickly learned, but takes time to master. While the strategy game genre is not lacking for entries, RoboMouse HD is a fun addition to the existing landscape that can provide hours of fun. Keep reading for our full review to find out why you should grab your own copy.

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First look at Moga’s upcoming “Ace Power” MFi iOS game controller w/ built-in 1800mAh battery

Jordan Kahn Oct 25 2013 - 6:51 am PT

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Since Apple first unveiled its new MFi game controller framework at WWDC earlier this year, we’ve already got a look at a couple controllers hitting the market in the near future from both Logitech and ClamCase. One of the other companies that Apple mentioned at WWDC was Moga, and today we get a look at what might be the first press shot for the company’s upcoming MFi controller dubbed “MOGA Ace Power” (via Evleaks). A second image below shows the controller when in “closed” mode without an iPhone docked:

We don’t get many details about the controller above, but judging by the configuration and the fact that Apple already announced Moga was working on a controller, it’s a pretty good chance we’re indeed looking at the company’s upcoming MFi controller. Like some of Moga’s current controller products, the Ace Power will apparently sport a 1800mAh battery that will charge your device while docked in the controller.
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Sega’s ‘The Cave’ adventure game from Monkey Island creator now available on iOS

Jordan Kahn Oct 3 2013 - 6:43 am PT

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Originally released for consoles, PC, and Mac in January, Sega today released ‘The Cave’ for iOS, a unique platformer/puzzle adventure from the creator of the popular Monkey Island franchise. It also comes to us with help from Tim Schafer’s studio Double Fine Productions– the development team behind Brütal Legend, Psychonauts, etc– so there’s definitely good reason to have high hopes for the title.

The game has players assemble a team of three characters with unique skills in order to solve various underground puzzles that pop up while exploring The Cave:

Assemble your team of three from seven unlikely adventurers, each with their own unique personalities and stories, then descend into the mysterious depths to explore locations including a subterranean amusement park and a medieval castle, not to mention a fully armed and ready-to-launch nuclear tipped ICBM. The Cave awaits.

The Cave is available now on iPad and iPhone for $4.99 on the App Store.

Here’s a good look at the first MFi iPhone game controller from Logitech

Jordan Kahn Oct 1 2013 - 12:26 pm PT

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After teasing its first iOS controller that would work with Apple’s new MFi standard for game controllers, today we get what appears to be an official press shot of Logitech’s upcoming gamepad for iPhone that first leaked at WWDC earlier this year (via @evleaks). We noticed that Logitech left space for the rear camera, which is nice for augmented reality apps and other games that utilize the iPhone’s camera.

Apple will offer 2 types of game controllers through its MFi program and two configurations all with pressure sensitive buttons and consistent layouts. The first type of controller is the form-fitting controller (much like Logitech’s above), which allows your iOS device to be docked right into the controller. The second will be a standalone controller that connects over Bluetooth. Above we’re looking at Apple’s standard layout, but there will also be an Extended layout for MFi controllers that adds dual thumbsticks and an extra set of shoulder buttons.

Others rumored to be creating new MFi iOS game controllers include ClamCase and Moga.
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EA’s Real Racing 3 adds Porsche 911s to its garage, iOS 7 compatibility

Mark Gurman Sep 5 2013 - 8:14 am PT

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Electronic Arts has updated its popular Real Racing 3 car-racing game for iOS with a significant car expansion. This update’s additions focus on the Porsche 911, adding several generations of the iconic car and a new game mode:

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This could be one of the first Apple authorized iPhone gaming controllers

Jun 17 2013 - 5:22 am PT

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We already know that Apple has added support for game controllers in iOS7, but it appears that these plans are further along than first thought. According to Kotaku, the above image shows an early iOS gaming controller prototype made specifically for the iPhone 5 by gaming giant Logitech. While they weren’t forthcoming with details of where the device was seen or who showed it to them, Kotaku is standing firm that they believe this photo to be absolutely authentic. The decision to support integrated gaming accessories is in stark contrast to Steve Jobs’ stance that such products would ruin the “elegance” of Apple devices (even though he got his start at Atari).

A reader reached out with this image from one of Apple’s WWDC sessions, which appears to show the same Logitech controller.

Bluetooth gaming devices have existed for iOS devices for quite some time but most have had limited compatibility and fragmented compatibility. An integrated, Apple authorized (MFi) gaming controller is going to be a welcomed addition for the iOS gaming community.

3rd party gaming accessories like the iCade Mobile (Above) have existed for years

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“Draw Something” creator OMGPOP closes down

Scott Buscemi Jun 3 2013 - 9:47 pm PT

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Just 16 months after being acquired by Zynga for a reported $200 million, the OMGPOP team, creators of the once-popular “Draw Something” app, has been laid off along with many other Zynga employees. To top it off, it looks like employees weren’t properly notified of their new employment status.

I learned via Facebook I was laid off today and @OMGPOP office is closed. Thanks @zynga for again reminding me how not to operate a business

— Ali Nicolas (@ali_nicolas) June 3, 2013

Zynga has been struggling to turn a profit, so the mass lay-offs may come as no surprise. However, it doesn’t look like they were provided with great post-Zynga assistance.

@swb1192 To a bar, as quickly as possible!

— omgpop (@omgpop) June 3, 2013

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Dominos launches new app that lets you make a pizza on your iPad and order it in real life

Jake Smith Nov 21 2011 - 2:48 pm PT

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[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NVyIslpS87Y”]

Dominos Pizza has launched a new marketing campaign using the iPad. The pizza giant has made a new app called Dominos Pizza Hero available on the App Store that lets customers make a pizza and then order it in real life. The app also has a game aspect to it, leaving you to compete against the clock and against each other on the leaderboards to create the best pizza.

Once you’ve created your pizza inside of the app, you can then use the “Make an Order” tab to order it through your closest Dominos store. A Dominos rep did say however there are limitations to what you can order — for instance you couldn’t order a pizza shaped like an Apple logo, even though that’d be really cool.

Dominos Pizza Hero is available for free on the App Store. This is certainly clever marketing by Dominos, but they aren’t the first to launch an iPad app for placing orders. Pizza Hut first launched an ordering app last May. Get ordering! (via Mashable)