In the realm of Apple’s recent “It’s Glowtime” spectacle, the realm of video games found itself relegated to the shadows, cast aside as mere bit players in a grand production. But fear not, for this is not the final curtain call for gaming on Apple’s stage. Nay, the company’s latest hardware revelations promise a bright future for gamers, even extending their reach to the hallowed non-Pro models.
At the heart of Apple’s gaming resurgence lies the unveiling of a new contender in the iOS gaming arena – the majestic “Honor of Kings: World.” This open-world RPG iteration of the acclaimed Chinese MOBA series is slated to grace iPhone screens come 2025. However, the true revelation lies in the iPhone 16’s formidable prowess, capable of running renowned AAA titles such as “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” and the latest Resident Evil offerings, including the spine-chilling “Resident Evil 4” remake and the haunting “Resident Evil: Village.” These games, once exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro elite, now find a welcoming home on the iPhone 16 standard models.
Apple’s dedication to the gaming cause extends beyond mere software exploits into the realm of hardware sorcery. The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro’s thermal enhancements promise 30% increased performance through reduced heat dissipation. Furthermore, the A18 chip imbued within the iPhone 16 unleashes hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities, surpassing its A17 Pro predecessor by twofold. This leap heralds a new era of realism in gaming, with intricately crafted lighting and shadows previously reserved for the M3 and A17 Pro Bionic champions. Apple’s pursuit of console-grade gaming on mobile devices not only raises the bar but may one day rival the immersive experiences offered by the legendary M3 chips on Mac systems.
Amidst the shadows cast by the illustrious “Honor of Kings: World,” a glimpse into gaming’s past and present was unveiled. The iconic “Resident Evil 4” remake of 2023 took center stage, alongside the enigmatic “Death Stranding: Director’s Cut,” which graced iOS, iPadOS, and macOS realms in January 2024.
Despite these grand proclamations and unveilings, there lingers a whisper of doubt in the winds of gaming enthusiasts. Reports from mobilegamer.biz suggest lackluster sales for recent ports, with “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” struggling to entice more than a scant 3,000 players to part with their gold. Yet, amidst this uncertainty, a beacon of hope shines brightly for the iOS gaming community. Moyens I/O’s trials of “Resident Evil: Village” on an iPad Pro revealed a marvel of smooth frame rates and graphical fidelity, a testament to the technological prowess at play within Apple’s gaming domain.
