Does Apple Want in on the Videogame Market?

With all of the upcoming consoles from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, the XBox 720,the PlayStation 4 and the Wii U are going to have some more major competition. The $70 billion videogame market is a large pie that Apple intends to get a big piece of. And it is now being rumored that the company will announce its plans for the Apple Joypad at its annual press event in April.

The reveal of Apple’s console could potentially cause great concern for competitors. Apple is known for dominating any market it sets its sights on, such as when the company blew up the smartphone market with the iPhone in 2007, and then taking control of the tablet market with the iPad in 2010. It’s clear that Apple will not settle for mediocrity or even second best. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo fair against the almighty Apple.

Rumors of iOS Game Controller

Though there are existing game controllers that can be used with the iPad 4 and iPhone 5, none of the currently available controllers were created by Apple.

According to PocketGamer, some executives from Apple were spotted at this year’s Game Developers Conference. The rumor is that they were there conversing with game developers in an attempt to gain support for Apple’s new iOS game controller.

Even before the iPhone 5 launched, there were stories about the company developing a physical game controller for the iPhone. Although there has yet to be a reveal of the new device, PocketGamer recently reported this confirmation. “Long rumoured – and hoped for – GDC 2013 has finally provided confirmation that Apple will release its own dedicated game controller. Of course, there’s no official word yet, but Apple has been active during the conference talking to developers about its plans and ensuring plenty of games will support the joypad at launch.”

Apple and Disney collaborating?

Another report that surfaced this year, hinted at a secret collaboration between Apple and Disney for the creation of Toy Box, and gaming console with numerous mobile and online applications. It has also been said that the console will feature various Pixar and Disney characters that will, for the first time, appear together and interact with each other.

As if Apple isn’t enough of a tech market powerhouse on its own, could teaming up with Disney make them an unstoppable presence in the gaming industry? How do you feel about the rumors, and do you think that Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo will be able to keep up?

[Image via swdbdesigns]