mac-app-store posts

While Microsoft has its own game development and publishing arm, one of its biggest rivals, Apple, has long been rumored to be in the running to purchase a game publisher like Electronic Arts. But according to a new report at IndustryGames that isn't likely to happen.

The story quotes Panoptic Management Consultants analyst Asif Khan who states he spoke personally with Apple founder and head man Steve Jobs at Apple's shareholder meeting. He states, " ... I can tell you with confidence that Apple will not acquire a game company. They would rather rake in the 30 percent of App Store sales that they currently have set up with developers."

The article points out that Apple does have a war chest of $60 billion in cash that could be used to acquire companies. But if this report is true, game developers and publisher shouldn't look to Apple for a big payday anytime soon.

It was yet another busy day and capped off a very busy first full week of 2011. Oh, and the first big PC game of 2011 is due out next week (DC Universe Online). Geeze:

• Check out some really ShakyCam Diablo III gameplay footage taken at BlizzCon.
• Apple says that over 1 million downloads were registered on the Mac App Store on its first day earlier this week.
• Two Worlds II will now be released on February 4 in the UK; it's still set for a January 25 US release date.
• The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim language puzzle on the new Game Informer cover has been translated (spoilers).

As promised, Apple has now launched its Mac App Store for owners of Macintosh-based PCs. Much like the App Store works for iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad devices, the Mac App Store allows Mac owners to directly purchase and download software programes to their Mac PCs. Developers can also publisher their programs directly through the new Mac App Store and set their own prices.

The Mac App Store launched with over 1,000 software programs and as expected there are a number of games available to purchase and download via the store. For example the casual game publisher MumboJumbo has a number of its games on the store including its popular Luxor arcade title.

The app store tool for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch mobile devices have been hugely successful, especially for both small and big game developers who can publish their titles directly to consumers. Can Apple do the same thing for their iMacs, MacBooks and Mac desktops? We are about to find out as Apple has announced it will launch the Mac App Store on January 6.

Like the app store for the Apple mobile products, the Mac App Store will have a variety of software to purchase and/or download and that will include games. Developers can set their own prices, can release free apps with no additional costs and keep 70 percent of the game's revenues for themselves. The big question: Will the Mac App Store be a big rival to services like Steam, Direct2Drive and others in the Mac game digital download business?