EA's Moore excited by new iTablet

By Robert Purchese Published 26 January, 2010

Apple's next device to change gaming?

Apple's new tablet device could represent a bold stride into gaming for the stylish company, and there are none more excited about its potential than Peter Moore, president of EA Sports.

"If it's got a great screen, some buttons, you can turn it on and it connects to the internet, it's got the ability to be a games machine," said Moore, reported by Bloomberg.

Nevertheless, Moore remains as clueless as you or I about what Apple will actually reveal at special conference tomorrow. Intense speculation surrounds the revelation of an iTablet: a laptop-sized device that looks like a blown-up version of the iPhone, only with added new functionality.

And while Apple's App Store boom on iPhone may have been surprising both for the public and company, this time the eyes of the gaming community will be firmly on Steve Jobs' next move.

"The center of gravity in gaming is moving away from the console to these other devices. “We’re going to wake up a year from now and see that this is a very important part of gaming," said Bart Decrem, boss of Tapulous, a successful iPhone and iPod Touch developer.

Namco's Jon Kromrey added: "I'm having fun thinking about all the wonderful things we can do with the device when it’s announced."

Join us tomorrow to find out what Steve Jobs will pluck from the Apple tree next.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (49) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Eraysor #1 2 years ago

    Speculating about (albeit rather well known) speculation, I love it.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #2 2 years ago

    i hope it turns out to be an iPrinter :)

  • kangarootoo #3 2 years ago

    http://ww w.theonion.com/content/news/app...

  • Drpwnage #4 2 years ago

    Cue iJokes

  • symmetry #5 2 years ago

    Why is he excited? It's not like the type of people who will buy the iSlate/iTablet/iDontknow will be the same people who buy EA Sports titles...

  • Quak #6 2 years ago

    "I'm having fun thinking about all the wonderful things we can do with a device that we know nothing about and may not even exist."

  • MrLovePump #7 2 years ago

    It will prob cost around a grand too. That's some expensive suduko!

  • redneon Verified Programmer, SUMO Digital #8 2 years ago

    I'll get you all started...

    iScream. iBall. iSocket. iSmelting, iTest, iEyeCapn....

  • sneetch #9 2 years ago

    I am intrigued to hear more about the iEyeCapn. Sounds fantastic!

  • JonFE #10 2 years ago

    I, also, have a funny and obscene (mostly obscene) iNickname for this tablet in mind, but only Greeks would get it, so I'll keep my mouth shut...

    ;-)

  • Bertie Verified Senior Staff Writer, Eurogamer.net #11 2 years ago

    All iJokes must go here actually so we do need to know.

  • robg #12 2 years ago

    OK fine...Apple's product updater is being released, called (of course):

    The iPatch

  • wizlon #13 2 years ago

    how about the iVorBiggun?

  • photoboy #14 2 years ago

    Namco's Jon Kromrey added: "I'm having fun thinking about all the bug-ridden shit we can rush unfinished onto the App Store when it’s announced."

    Fixed that for you.

  • SYS64738 #15 2 years ago

    iHope the iEyeCapn has buttons tho.

  • space_ace #16 2 years ago

    they should announce powerbook g5, no one needs a tablet

    ;)

  • Kerome #17 2 years ago

    Typical hype - the games industry does not turn on a dime, and without a 42" LCD screen and 5.1 audio this will just eat into DS, PSP and iPhone game markets. That doesn't mean it won't be successful of course...

  • SBfistfun #18 2 years ago

    iTwat, perfectly named for the style over substance obsessed customers who will pay over the odds for it.

    And breathe...

  • Dilliger #19 2 years ago

    @jonFE
    I 'm Greek! Share with us your iNickname please! It 'll be fun for the Greek readers to hear it and a little awkward for all the others cause it will sound Greek to them!
    I don't give a sh1te about Apple's products nowadays cause I don't wanna pay a premium just for the hype!
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 17:18

  • kangarootoo #20 2 years ago

    @Kerome

    Regardless of what EA people say in directed interviews, Apple won't be pushing this as primarily a games machine. If it will be eating into any markets it will be the powerbook markets, which of course it was designed to replace in part.

  • Genome #21 2 years ago

    I don't think anyone can beat iEyeCapn. redneon wins, the rest of us can get our coats.

  • loopy #22 2 years ago

    ... and there are none more excited about its potential than Peter Moore, president of EA Sports.

    "If it's got... some buttons, you can turn it on...it's got the ability to be a games machine"

    Wow O.o

    (selective quoting is such fun sometimes ;-) )
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 17:34

  • penhalion #23 2 years ago

    How the frak would moore be clueless if EA are supposed to be revealing soem games for the device. That's like writing games for windows 9 and then being suprised when they don't seem to work on the actual operating system. Basically from Moores comments we can surmise as fact that the islate has a couple of buttons and connects to the internet when you switch it on.

    Edit: As for all the drooling by games companies. I maintain my stance that the iSlate (as described and speculated about) is far too big to be a portable gaming device in any way, shape or form. Given this, I'm confused as to how it's going to be even remotely as popular as the iPhone and iTouch. Instead I think it highly likely that there is also a new iTouch or iPhone in the works with a slightly larger, better resolutioned OLED screen up Mr Jobs sleeve and that the new resolutions are in fact for apps on those devices. After all Android phones now sport 850 * 420 screens with the same form factors as normal smart phones.
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 17:44

  • Drpwnage #24 2 years ago

    Could be Apple's time to fluff up a new product and launch something iRrelevant.

  • ArcMonkey #25 2 years ago

    That is, IF it has a couple of buttons. There are ways to work around the lack of buttons, but nothing gives you tactile feedback on a (multi)touch screen.

    Also, it depends on how the thing sells. I currently can't see who the device is for, but maybe I just lack Mr Job's vision and understanding of the market.

    Also as was already mentioned, theres the fact that it costs almost 10x what other gaming platforms do...

  • macmurphy #26 2 years ago

    @symmetry

    'Why is he excited? It's not like the type of people who will buy the iSlate/iTablet/iDontknow will be the same people who buy EA Sports titles...'

    [link url=http://tec hnews.am/conversations/moconews/ea_gameloft_dominate_the_app _stores_best_selling_games_of_09
    ]http://te chnews.am/conversations/moconew...[/link]

    The linky title says it all. EA are making millions off the iphone, there's no reason to believe the new tablet should be any different. This is on a range of EA products, but Tiger Woods, an EA Sports title, is a big part of this. There's no reason to believe a whole range of EA Sports titles could not appear.

    The Itablet is no different to the Iphone; I'm sure it is not envisioned primarily as a gaming platform but there's no reason that games could not become a big part of it.

  • superdelphinus #27 2 years ago

    Despite owning one of practically all of their current products I hate apple. They're such a bunch of twats!

  • Caimbeul #28 2 years ago

    A slate roof tile and a bit of chalk wont cost half as much!!

  • themorganator #29 2 years ago

    soooo looking forward to the show tomorrow.

  • ArcMonkey #30 2 years ago

    @macmurphy There are two reasons:
    1. The tablet is expected to cost around £1000. I believe most people get free iphones on pay monthly contracts
    2. Has anyone here even owned a tablet before? the difference being, everyone and their pets has at least one mobile phone.

    Also, thats how the tablet and the iphone are different. Price and size (hence portability factor).
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 18:19

  • superdelphinus #31 2 years ago

    The iPhone, to an extent. Now people pay for games that are also free on the Internet

  • IronGiant #32 2 years ago

    Have capcom announced Monster Hunter for it yet?

    /runs..

  • macmurphy #33 2 years ago

    @ Arcmonkey

    Fair enough points. It's just that two years ago the Iphone was this really gucci high end toy that no one saw as a gaming platform and now every man and his dog has one. I realise that everyone needs a phone and not everyone needs a tablet, but then a few years back the Ipod also seemed like some really strange new idea and now they are everywhere in some form or another.

    I can't predict the future but I disagreed with symmetry's point that Peter Moore was wrong to think of the tablet as a potential revenue stream. Who knows how well the Itablet will do as a gaming platform; people didn't really see the I-phone coming and EA are already making a lot of money off of that.

  • peterfll #34 2 years ago

    Don't we all love a bit of tech? And I have love / hate thing with Apple and their products but they can and do push the boundaries once in a while. if that's what tomorrow brings, bring it on.

  • menage #35 2 years ago

    iDisagree

    Apple gaming really doens't interest me in the slightest.

  • peterfll #36 2 years ago

    Well I used to say that until I played Space Ace and Dragons Lair on my new iPhone and then I came.

  • Les #37 2 years ago

    "I maintain my stance that the iSlate (as described and speculated about) is far too big to be a portable gaming device in any way, shape or form."

    According to rumor, it's aimed for home use and indeed not super portable. But is that really necessary to be successful as a gaming device? 90% of the time I use my portable consoles (DS and PSP) at home. But then, I don't commute through public transport.

    Can't really say I'm very anxious about tomorrow's reveal, other than to learn if there'll be new versions of the MacBook Pro. Between my iPhone and future laptop, I can't really see much use for a tablet. But then again, if there's any company that can make consumers aware of heretofore unrecognized needs it's Apple.

  • Les #38 2 years ago

    "The iPhone, to an extent. Now people pay for games that are also free on the Internet"

    If I'm not mistaken, that was actually pioneered by PS3 with flow... ;)

  • BOFH_UK #39 2 years ago

    Why is he excited? It's not like the type of people who will buy the iSlate/iTablet/iDontknow will be the same people who buy EA Sports titles...

    Ummm, you sure about that? The big sellers - FIFA and Madden being the obvious ones - tend to sell to people outside the 'hardcore gamer' demographic. The sort of people who buy the cheapest console they can then just buy a couple of games a year at least one of which will be an EA title. Casual gamers in other words, albeit a different sub-category than the stereotypical Wii or DS owner. Now who do you think is the main demographic for gaming on the iPhone / iPod Touch and, by extension, the iTablet?

    Also, it depends on how the thing sells. I currently can't see who the device is for, but maybe I just lack Mr Job's vision and understanding of the market. Also as was already mentioned, theres the fact that it costs almost 10x what other gaming platforms do...

    The tablet is going to cost ten times more than a gaming PC? (Sorry, unfair I know). We'll find out tomorrow but I really consider that the only way a tablet makes sense is if Apple builds a true consumer-orientated computer. Something that doesn't need the technical abilities to maintain or the learning curve of a Windows or OS X and that basically can be used by anyone with virtually no training. Like, say, the iPhone... And before anyone says it, yes, most computers are still far too complicated for the average user. Sure, they can turn 'em on and probably use 'em okay but how many really enjoy it? How many maintain them properly and how many get caught out by the endless stream of viri and trojans? How many might want to, for instance, use Skype, but can't figure out how to install the software and configure it to work correctly with microphones and headsets (think how many ways you can accidentaly mute a sound input or output in Windows for example)?
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 20:15

  • hiddenranbir #40 2 years ago

    iWorld



  • StooMonster #41 2 years ago

    Looking forward to getting hands on one, and playing with the SDK too. :)

  • penhalion #42 2 years ago

    @StooMonster

    In that case can I borrow your wallet and credit cards as the only way I'm paying 1000 quid of my money for this thing is if it's physically made of 4000 quids worth of solid gold!
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/10 @ 20:52

  • Les #43 2 years ago

    Interesting read.

    [link url=http://gizmodo.com/5452501/the-apple-tabl et-interface-must-be-like-this
    ]http://gi zmodo.com/5452501/the-apple-tab...[/link]

    Though not as funny as kangarootoo's onion article ;)

  • zubnut #44 2 years ago

    iPad will be running windows7. Fact.


    Or bullshit, I can't decide.

  • Korpers #45 2 years ago

    iSore ?

  • Shinetop #46 2 years ago

    Apple's next device to change gaming?

    No.

    "If it's got a great screen, some buttons, you can turn it on and it connects to the internet, it's got the ability to be a games machine," said Moore, reported by Bloomberg.

    Well there's yer problem.

  • chukcyQ #47 2 years ago

    I am iComing!!!

  • Sunyavadin #48 2 years ago

    His own, fresh, polished turds. For only £500 each, with a new upgrade you have to buy every month or you stop being the cool kid. And appletards will still buy them...

  • superdelphinus #49 2 years ago

    wasn't there a lot of rumours about iphone os 4 coming today as well?