Apple greenlights third-party controller support for iOS

Apple has greenlit support for third-party game controllers for iOS and OS X devices.

A new game controller framework to be added in iOS 7 as the company looks to make it easier for the device to find a connected controller. Games will then read controller inputs as part of normal gameplay.

The framework will also be introduced to Macs in OS X v10.9.

Controller inputs must be optional however, and developers must ensure games can be played without them and take advantage of the touch screen input on iOS.

OS X games meanwhile will still also require a mouse and keyboard input.

Although confirmed support was announced during the WWDC, Apple has said information regarding officially support controllers are subject to change.

You can view examples of potential controller layouts below.

More details on the game controller framework are available here for registered Apple developers.