Apple in the Game Market? I don’t think so…
So you can read here that these guys at apple inside think that apple’s recent game designers hiring is a signal that the Cupertino company is aspiring to enter the Console market. I really don’t think so, and I think apple’s hiring has other meaning: Focus on great application.
Great gamedesigners have a set of common skills : ability to entertain the user. Lock them into an experience that he fells part of it and can “evolve” in it. Deep understand of user aspiration. They know how to keep the user excited while using their software. So what if Apple has just again foreseen the importance of immersing users into more game-like experiences. I think this is just a warning signal for usability professionals out there =) New times are coming, even if Apple is REALLY thinking about the console market.
I’m not sure I think this is any kind of a “warning” to usability people out here.. in fact I think it’s encourage to see one of the top design leaders (apple) further embracing the user. This is a *good* thing for usability and designers everywhere.
December 7th, 2006 at 11:44 amYeah jason, my message was kind of wrong when I said “warning signal” it should be more like: this is something to watch and learn if this skill can benefit all usability and application designers. :) I was not saying that game designers would take their positions. Because the first thing you learn about game professionals is : they really love to do games, and it’s harder to convince them to do other things (another point that goes against my post.. but ok) :)
December 14th, 2006 at 1:00 pm