Apple TV getting games?

Source: Tech blog Engadget.

What we heard: As evidenced by the thousands of titles available in the App Store, Apple has already found success in gaming. One iOS title, Angry Birds, was even nominated for Game of the Year at last night's Interactive Achievement Awards.

Now, according to the tech blog Engadget, Apple may be bringing games to another of its platforms. According to a tech-savvy tipster, there are numerous references to games in the code of the new iOS 4.3 beta 3 firmware. The code contains references to "ATVGames" as well as "ATVThunder," which apparently is an as-yet-unseen controller of some sort. The code also reportedly contains references to Apple TV leaderboards, a storefront, and "game scheduling"--perhaps a reference to multiplayer.

Engadget goes on to theorize that because of Apple TV's low storage capacity--just 8GB--Apple might be planning some kind of game-streaming service a la OnLive. However, it has no evidence in the code to back it up.

The official story: Apple had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Rumors about Apple getting into console gaming have come and gone, but if the code is as convincing as Engadget says, then it is looking not bogus…that Apple has inserted some kind of Apple TV gaming code, anyway. What form gaming might take on Apple TV, however, remains to be seen.