Apple TV Reportedly Gaining Native Game Support in March

A new Apple TV is said to be in the works that will come with native game support that will be compatible with Bluetooth controllers, making the set-top box a mini gaming console of sorts.

According to both iLounge and 9to5Mac, the Cupertino-based company will reportedly launch a new Apple TV device at some point during the first half of this year, with iLounge claiming March to be the time where we’ll see the new stuff.

iLounge says that “developers are currently working on Bluetooth controller options, and it’s expected that games could be downloaded directly to the Apple TV rather than relying on another iOS device as an intermediary.” A lot of details are still unknown, including how games would be stored locally, but it could end up that iCloud might be the main storage facility for Apple TV games.

9to5Mac says that the next-generation Apple TV is well into its testing phases and will be released within the next few months. Furthermore, it’s said that the Apple TV will get its own App Store of sorts, or a “Game Store”, where users will be able to download games directly on their Apple TV.

The Apple TV is definitely due for an update, and it seems Apple is going to make this next one count. iOS devices have already been huge as far as mobile gaming has been concerned, and this Apple TV refresh might be Apple’s answer to gaming in the living room. We’re not sure if these aforementioned “Bluetooth controllers” are MFi controllers (such as the SteelSeries Stratus, Logitech PowerShell and the Moga Power Ace), but it seems like these controllers will be standalone, similar to the SteelSeries Stratus, and will connect straight to the Apple TV itself.

Details are still pretty limited at this point, but it seems like we can expect big things coming from the Apple TV later this year, gaming or not. The Apple TV hasn’t been updated in almost a year, so we expect a new version to hit the market fairly soon. In the meantime, check out these eight iPad games you can play on your television through the Apple TV.