It was once considered that modern-day game consoles and the PC were the pinnacle of video game platforms. However, with more and more mobile games such as "Hearthstone", "Clash of Clans" and "Fallout Shelter", more and more gamers are being lured to play on their portable devices and less on their consoles.
Technological giant Apple may be cashing in on this trend as it is rumored that the next version of their Apple TV product might focus more on these portable games. In a report by the New York Times, this newest product will be focusing on the casual gamer, allowing these players to link their accounts to the TV, thereby allowing a more social experience when playing certain games.
Analysts see Apple changing the game industry all around, which it has already. Many big video game developers such as Square Enix and Netherealm have already finickally backed their mobile games divisions and made mobile versions of their "Final Fantasy" and "Mortal Kombat" series.
Experts believe that it would be difficult to get many players away from their controllers, which is why, according to Game Rant, these more hardcore gamers will not be the main focus Apple. The report also states that the next generation of consoles will probably be more powerful and will have better graphics than the newest version of Apple TV.
Expectations are running high as Apple is set to release the specs for the new Apple TV. While it is set to change the gaming community moving forward, the device itself looks to be less expensive than its predecessors. Experts are saying that the starting price for the device is going to be roughly US$150, which is almost half of the price of today's modern consoles.
These mobile games have also accounted for almost one-third of Apple's revenue, with purchases for these games and micro-purchase earning almost US$27 billion last year alone.
Apple, however, is not the first company to attempt to grab a bigger part of the mobile gaming world. Video game developers such as Capcom and Nintendo have tried and have struggled to keep their mobile divisions afloat.
Skeptics have also gone on the record to say that the main reason why players actually play these types of games is that they are too mobile most of the time to sit in front of their TVs and actually play the consoles in their homes.
With the convenience of the games being mobile gone while at home, some gamers might actually go and play their console video game casually.
Apple is set to reveal the new Apple TV on Sept. 9, 2015.