It's the year for the battle of next-gen consoles, with Xbox 720 and PS4 at the helm. But now, it seems that a surprising, but long-awaited had entered the arena, as though it was only a matter of time before it got there.

At the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Apple has finally announced its plan to release a Joypad for the iOS device, so it will have a controller that's dedicated to pure gaming bliss, reports Pocket Gamer.

An April formal announcement?

According to Emirates 24/7, if there are likely announcements to be made about the console, the likely even to push for it is the annual April Apple press event.

There were even reports that hinted at a potential tie-up between Disney and Apple, in order to create a console labeled "Toy Box." This report is said to Pixar and Disney characters to be made available together for mobile and online applications.

Develop reports that Apple may have gone stealth and operated under a pseudonym at the GDC, but reports say that the gamepad maybe targeting TVs in the living room.

Apple TV and Apple Gamepad

So what does this mean for the gaming industry? For the triad of big names, it can cut into the market share, considering the following of Apple as a trusted maker of devices. For the newcomers like Ouya, it may be more drastic news, as far as their budget offerings and new experience goes.

The controller may have even been in the works as far back as early last year. TechRadar reports that Apple has already applied for a patent for a gaming controller that will work for the iPhone and the Apple TV, which makes it similar to the way the Samsung's devices interact with the Smart TV, only this time, Apple has dedicated the device to pure gaming.

Game changer: A new meaning to handheld

But there's also another direction in which Apple could take the gamepad idea, and it would be through mobile, an altogether different territory, but an equally daunting one that's full of possibilities.

Right now, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has already released its clamp-on gamepad, which can bring mobile gaming to a new level. So if Apple also takes on this direction with its joypad, it seems to be a likely competition.

Bringing the gaming war to the level of smartphones can have benefits or consequences, both of which are still murky at best at this point.

There are no further rumors or reports about the Apple gamepad, not even the potential look, which means that the company must really be gearing up for the surprise reveal, a wise tactic considering how fast-paced the nature of the industry can be.

In any case, there is the April announcement to look forward to, which will hopefully bring in more details of Apple's gaming plans.

And the question remains: Which direction will gaming take now that Apple's trying to push its way through?