We’ve learned Apple finally has a way for users of Made-For-iPhone/iPad game controllers to view a master list of supported games from the App Store, but it will first require the controller makers to issue firmware updates to their controllers.
Ever since Apple introduced its new MFi game controllers last year— we’ve reviewed most of them including products from Moga, Logitech, and SteelSeries— one issue has been the lack of an Apple maintained master list of supported games. Each of the manufacturers have their own lists buried away somewhere on their websites, but otherwise users are left to search aimlessly online or through the App Store to find a game that supports controller input. There are third-party solutions like PhoneJoy for discovering games with support, but all third-party lists are often incomplete, not up-to-date, or only feature games tested with specific hardware.
The feature works much like the App Match feature Apple already offers, which prompts users when connecting an accessory to download a companion app or view compatible apps on the App Store. Apple has recently added the same ability for manufacturers creating MFi game controllers. Rather than sending users to a specific app, Apple says implementing the feature will prompt users to visit an Apple-maintained list of supported controller games.
The second piece of the puzzle will likely be for making that new Apple maintained list of supported controller games accessible directly via the App Store, but it’s unclear if Apple has plans for that.
All controllers will presumably have to receive a firmware update to take advantage, which are all required to be capable of via iOS or Mac. It doesn’t appear any of the MFi controllers have yet been updated.
Apple is also introducing other features for MFi game controllers this year including a new Controller Forwarding feature that will turn iPhone’s into a controller for Macs and iPads.
