Apple looks to hire AAA game developer for in-house iPhone team

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
Apple is looking to hire a game and media software engineer for its iPhone and iPod touch team, perhaps signaling that the company intends to expand its first-party software offerings.



The listing posted this week is noteworthy because Apple has only released four applications on its iPhone App Store since it first launched, and only one of them -- Texas Hold'em -- is a game. The $4.99 virtual card game was released in 2008.



The advertisement seeks a full-time employee to work at the company's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. Apple is looking for a "passionate gamer" with 3 to 4 years of video game development experience. The person would help design and implement "interactive multimedia experiences" on the iPhone and iPod touch. Only candidates who have shipped "at least one AAA title" are asked to apply.



"The position also requires a creative thinker who can contribute and comment on the design process as well as being flexible enough to aid in all aspects of production such as asset management and able to work to a deadline," the listing reads.



Since the debut of the App Store, games have become a popular component of the experience on the iPhone and iPod touch. Big game publishers like Electronic Arts, id Software and Konami have been flocking to the platform, bringing their own established franchises with them like Madden football and The Sims.







Nintendo, a pioneer of the handheld video game industry, has acknowledged that it must differentiate dedicated gaming devices like the Nintendo DS from all-purpose handhelds like the iPhone if they wish to survive. Games on the App Store tend to run under $10, while most games for the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP cost between $25 and $40.



When it debuted the new 64GB iPod touch with a faster processor in September, Apple again portrayed the hardware as a fun device meant for media and games. The company highlighted a number of high-profile releases including Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 and Gameloft's Nova.



But John Carmack, creator of the classic PC game Doom, recently said he believes that Apple is uncomfortable with the growing popularity of games on the iPhone and iPod touch. He said he believes Apple executives would prefer the hardware to be taken more seriously.



"At the highest level of Apple, in their heart of hearts," Carmack said, "they're not proud of the iPhone being a game machine, they wish it was something else."



But the new job listing from Apple would seem to contradict Carmack's assumption, as Apple appears to be interested in creating more interactive content in-house for the iPhone and iPod touch.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 84
    What is a AAA title?



    EDIT: Found this link:



    http://www.gameproducer.net/2009/10/...ed-definition/



    Seems like it used to mean high quality, now it just means big budget.
  • Reply 2 of 84
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DKWalsh4 View Post


    What is a AAA title?



    Top of the line stuff - games like Call of Duty, Halo, Guitar Hero maybe?



    The main criticisms of the iPhone's gaming library is to do with a lack of big titles. Seems Apple will make their own. Will it be in the mould of traditional titles or something totally new? I suspect the latter.
  • Reply 3 of 84
    quinneyquinney Posts: 2,528member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DKWalsh4 View Post


    What is a AAA title?



    I don't know, but I bet it is not this.
  • Reply 4 of 84
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Games? I need to perform the Quadratic equation- is there an app for that?
  • Reply 5 of 84
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DKWalsh4 View Post


    What is a AAA title?



    Next step above AA.
  • Reply 6 of 84
    AAA games are the big budget, high quality games.
  • Reply 7 of 84
    I got the guy for the job right here.



    http://www.i-mockery.com/blabber/pic...ransformer.jpg
  • Reply 8 of 84
    postulantpostulant Posts: 1,272member
    But the Doom creator said Apple is embarrassed about gaming....
  • Reply 9 of 84
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Maybe an in house team of Apple experts to better help other companies develop games for Tablet and iPhone?
  • Reply 10 of 84
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    Next step above AA.



    That made me smile.
  • Reply 11 of 84
    Obviously, no actual data on what Apple is really intending, but the clear risk for Apple is that this could create a perception is reality effect for developers; namely, that Apple is cherry-picking segments that they want to own/control, in effect, competing with their developer ecosystem.



    After all, Apple is not exactly the best, most transparent communicators so when you combine that with the low torrent of unhappy developers grumbling about approval process, etc., you run risk of muddying the platform play at same time Android is starting to find its legs.



    For what it's worth, I blogged on this exact same scenario when the SDK was rolling out last year. Excerpt:
    Why should developers even contemplate such dark scenarios? To be blunt, Apple?s history with developers is a mixed bag. On the one hand, the very success of the Mac is a by-product of third party developer innovations in desktop publishing, spreadsheets and the like, which opened up previously unforeseen HUGE market opportunities. On the other hand, Apple has a legacy of co-opting third-party developer innovations, thus claiming new market opportunities for themselves and killing their partners in the process.
    Check out the full post, if interested:



    The Scorpion, the Frog and the iPhone SDK

    http://bit.ly/1IV1Np



    Cheers,



    Mark
  • Reply 12 of 84
    While Apple may be looking for an in-house developer to create Apple branded games, I have a strong feeling his main duty will be interfacing with other companies that themselves produce AAA quality games. Like EA or Blizzard, ect. Helping get their new iPhone development teams up to speed quicker, or qualifying then relaying requests for iPhone API updates these developers want. I have no inside information on this matter. Just a hunch based on two decades of watching the gaming industry evolve.
  • Reply 13 of 84
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Postulant View Post


    But the Doom creator said Apple is embarrassed about gaming....



    Apple likes to be taken seriously, but also sell well in the consumer space. The two aren't always compatible.



    BlackBerry was considered a serious tool for business, but had difficulty selling to anyone else. Now RIM is working to make the BB more "fun" and modern to increase sales without chasing away the corporate suits who made them successful in the first place.



    Apple nailed "fun" right away, but are still longing for respect as a serious tool. However, they're not stupid and will milk "fun" for all its worth even if iPhone never achieves the serious reputation they originally hoped it would.
  • Reply 14 of 84
    I wonder if Apple's first-party apps will get rejected from the App Store?
  • Reply 15 of 84
    Apple should sign an exclusive with Shigeru Miyamoto then Nintendo can call it quits.
  • Reply 16 of 84
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Postulant View Post


    But the Doom creator said Apple is embarrassed about gaming....



    The doom creator is a serial moron
  • Reply 17 of 84
    gazoobeegazoobee Posts: 3,754member
    Another slap in the face for Carmack and his whinging theories about Apple.

    gotta love it.
  • Reply 18 of 84
    gazoobeegazoobee Posts: 3,754member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by hypermark View Post


    Obviously, no actual data on what Apple is really intending, but the clear risk for Apple ...



    I know you think you are some kind of big-time "authority" on Apple but you're just making this stuff up wholesale here. Apple does not "(have) a legacy of co-opting third-party developer innovations" that I've ever noticed or heard about and I've been following them from the beginning.



    Like most big companies Apple has done some things that are bad for developers, but developers have screwed over Apple over the years as well. The facts would suggest more that the developers don't generally treat Apple very well, more than the other way around IMO.



    I'm also getting tired of you posting here with some spammy link to your opinion site. Be a grown up and pay for your own advertising instead of trying to bootstrap yourself into "pundit" status by posting your ads here for free why don't you?



    I find there are many more insightful posters on this forum than you, and they have the advantage of just being regular techies, not someone trying to make a career out of opinionating.
  • Reply 19 of 84
    dualiedualie Posts: 334member
    I'm sure Apple is crying all the way to the bank.
  • Reply 20 of 84
    Actually my experience with Apple dates back to 1994 (Apple partner, Tribe Computer Works), and I don't make a nickel on my blogging so not sure what you mean by 'career.' As to making points and backing them with links, you are certainly entitled to your perspective that that's somehow bad form, but I'd argue the contrary. The blogosphere is all about links. You make your point, if you have deeper thought, reference it, and the community can decide whether they care or not, and then click or not.



    Always amazes me how some people knee jerk to the personal.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gazoobee View Post


    I know you think you are some kind of big-time "authority" on Apple but you're just making this stuff up wholesale here. Apple does not "(have) a legacy of co-opting third-party developer innovations" that I've ever noticed or heard about and I've been following them from the beginning.



    Like most big companies Apple has done some things that are bad for developers, but developers have screwed over Apple over the years as well. The facts would suggest more that the developers don't generally treat Apple very well, more than the other way around IMO.



    I'm also getting tired of you posting here with some spammy link to your opinion site. Be a grown up and pay for your own advertising instead of trying to bootstrap yourself into "pundit" status by posting your ads here for free why don't you?



    I find there are many more insightful posters on this forum than you, and they have the advantage of just being regular techies, not someone trying to make a career out of opinionating.



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