Apple doubles down on gaming, acquiring their first video game studio

All the way back in 2019, Apple launched its Arcade subscription service – letting iOS/Mac users access over 100 games ranging from ad-free classics to Apple Arcade exclusives. Despite a rather slow rate of growth (for Apple at least), the company looks set to double down on the service, with the iPhone maker reportedly planning a dedicated gaming app – while also acquiring their first studio.

As reported by Bloomberg (paywalled), Apple is currently gearing up to release a new dedicated gaming app later this year (likely alongside the next iOS release).

According to the report, this app will “serve as a launcher for titles and centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity.”

Beyond this, the application will also collate the remainder of Apple’s gaming-related services, offering access to editorials; the App Store’s game section and is set to replace the company’s old ‘Game Centre’.

Seemingly as a part of this effort, Apple has now acquired their first ever video games studio. In an exclusive report by DigitalTrends, the iPhone maker is said to have purchased RAC7 – the studio behind Apple Arcade exclusive Sneaky Sasquatch. Interestingly, RAC7 consists of just two developers.

Speaking on this move, an Apple representative said “We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the 2-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue their work on it with us. We will continue to deliver a great experience for Apple Arcade players with hundreds of games from many of the best game developers in the world.”

Apple has slowly but surely been filling out its Apple Arcade library with an increasing number of solid and fun titles. That said, it is still somewhat surprising to see the company committing further to the service. It will be interesting to see exactly what the company has planned for its new Gaming App.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of Apple’s upcoming plans? Have you tried Apple Arcade? What did you think? Let us know down below.

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