Apple TV games have to be compatible with the bundled remote

The next-generation Apple TV may be much more gaming-centric than its predecessors, but that doesn’t mean developers can put whatever they want on the platform, there are a few requirements. Aside from the size limitation on apps, one of the most notable requirements for games on the new Apple TV is that they fully support the Apple TV remote that comes bundled with the device, and the game can’t require a controller in order to work.

Apple has updated its Apple TV developer requirements for games. The company now states that all the games must work with the Apple TV remote. Previously it was mentioned that developers could also make games requiring support for third-party MFi-certified controllers, but not necessarily supporting the Apple TV remote. “Your game must support the Apple TV remote. Your game may not require the use of a controller,” says the company on its updated “Working with Game Controllers” developers page, as per Touch Arcade, which first spotted the change. Earlier the page included the topic – You Can Require an Extended Game Controller, and mentioned some guidelines under the same topic. It however said that requiring the user to utilise a third-party controller was “highly discouraged”. The Cupertino-based tech firm in its updated page says that the new requirements “are designed to make sure that games are always playable.”