DualShock 4 makes Fortnite on iPhone even better with iOS 13
One of the most exciting changes for gamers with Apple's latest crop of updates is official support for both PlayStation and Xbox controllers. We spent a few minutes -- or hours -- gaming with our Sony PlayStation DualShock 4 controller to see how much of a difference it made when playing Fortnite among other titles.
iOS 13 now supports PS4 DualShock 4 controllers
When gaming on mobile, we often would turn to our SteelSeries Nimbus -- an excellent Apple-certified controller. It performs great and really has a lot of similar functionality of the DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller.
For us, mobile gaming is only a small portion of our time playing games, but that puts us in the minority these days. While we prefer the experience offered to us on our PlayStation 4, the world is moving on, with more and more opting for mobile -- despite a sub-optimal control scheme for games like "Fortnite."
Later in 2019, Apple will be releasing two major things for gamers -- support for Xbox One and DualShock 4 controllers with iOS and tvOS 13 as well as Apple Arcade. With all the new exclusive titles arriving with Apple Arcade, our time gaming on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad will undoubtedly increase.
While we wait for Apple Arcade to arrive we can already test the support for the new controllers. We downloaded a few games such as Fortnite and connected our midnight blue DualShock 4 and spend some significant time trying it for ourselves.
Playing Fortnite with a PS4 DualShock 4 controller
Connecting the controller is easy -- we've already delved into that -- and once it is connected you can view the battery at any time from the battery widget in Today View.
Unsurprisingly, the controller made quite a difference for us. Most people out there won't have an MFi controller lying around but will certainly have a PlayStation or Xbox controller that they can use. Second, it was so much more natural to use while playing. We were much more familiar and comfortable that we (at least appeared) to have much more skill in the variety of games we played.
Controls were as expected, with circle switching to build mode, X jumping, square reloading, triangle swapping weapons, bumpers switching between your items, left trigger aims while the right trigger fires. Currently, L3 and R3 still sit idle -- a common complaint from mobile Fortnite players that has yet to be addressed. Now that controller use will likely increase on mobile, Epic may finally remedy that and add some functionality there.
There is little doubt in our minds how many more players are going to now be connecting PS4 or Xbox controllers to their iOS and tvOS devices come this fall and we are just getting more excited for the imminent launch of Apple Arcade at the same time.
iOS 13 now supports PS4 DualShock 4 controllers
When gaming on mobile, we often would turn to our SteelSeries Nimbus -- an excellent Apple-certified controller. It performs great and really has a lot of similar functionality of the DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller.
For us, mobile gaming is only a small portion of our time playing games, but that puts us in the minority these days. While we prefer the experience offered to us on our PlayStation 4, the world is moving on, with more and more opting for mobile -- despite a sub-optimal control scheme for games like "Fortnite."
Later in 2019, Apple will be releasing two major things for gamers -- support for Xbox One and DualShock 4 controllers with iOS and tvOS 13 as well as Apple Arcade. With all the new exclusive titles arriving with Apple Arcade, our time gaming on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad will undoubtedly increase.
While we wait for Apple Arcade to arrive we can already test the support for the new controllers. We downloaded a few games such as Fortnite and connected our midnight blue DualShock 4 and spend some significant time trying it for ourselves.
Playing Fortnite with a PS4 DualShock 4 controller
Connecting the controller is easy -- we've already delved into that -- and once it is connected you can view the battery at any time from the battery widget in Today View.
Unsurprisingly, the controller made quite a difference for us. Most people out there won't have an MFi controller lying around but will certainly have a PlayStation or Xbox controller that they can use. Second, it was so much more natural to use while playing. We were much more familiar and comfortable that we (at least appeared) to have much more skill in the variety of games we played.
Controls were as expected, with circle switching to build mode, X jumping, square reloading, triangle swapping weapons, bumpers switching between your items, left trigger aims while the right trigger fires. Currently, L3 and R3 still sit idle -- a common complaint from mobile Fortnite players that has yet to be addressed. Now that controller use will likely increase on mobile, Epic may finally remedy that and add some functionality there.
There is little doubt in our minds how many more players are going to now be connecting PS4 or Xbox controllers to their iOS and tvOS devices come this fall and we are just getting more excited for the imminent launch of Apple Arcade at the same time.
Comments
This is such an inconvenience to us.
They aren't universal HID devices -- and neither are the XBO or PS4 controller.
That's what I thought but seems strange considering Apples relationship with Nintendo is great when it comes to gaming.
clips for the controllers?
racks / holders for devices on the back of a car seat?
Any issues gaming while the controllers charge? Can a controller charge off of an iPad/iPad Pro?
The challenge comes in the future when Apple will have stronger processing power than consoles. Then it might not even be possible to accommodate consoles.
I just have to decide which one I'm going to go for. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Playstation controller, because I'm used to using an old Playstation controller a long time ago, and the Xbox controller looks worse, but I will try to test out both in a store before I make up my mind.
IMO, this was one of the crucial things holding iOS as a platform for gaming, back. (The criticism is that it took them so darn long! You can find lots of my posts going back years, complaining about this.)
I think L3/R3 is an overall problem, not just Fortnite. I think someone (in some other thread) mentioned that it isn't part of the spec, yet.
Hmm, well since I'm a PlayStation fan, I'm clearly biased towards the DS4. I just find it to be way more comfortable than the Xbox controllers (the limited number of times that I've tried them), or my Steelseries Nimbus. I think they are all now high quality, so it depends more on which one feels best in your hands (and button layout, though I guess you get used to that).
If you previously used a PS controller, you'll probably prefer that if you have any muscle-memory left. The DS4 (for PS4) variety is much higher quality than the controllers for PS2/3. It is an impressive piece of hardware. Even though I like my Steelseries, I think once iOS 13 arrives, I'm going to be playing Minecraft Bedrock (and other games) with the DS4. I wonder if I can sell the Steelseries for much.
I haven't yet invested in a PS4 and considering the console is in its twilight years (with rumours that the next gen console will come out next year), I think I'll wait it out till next year.
However, I am pretty stoked about Apple Arcade and may pick up a DualShock 4 controller, simply for playing the iOS games.