Although Apple might not be making the most noise when it comes to gaming, the company has taken a different approach that seems to be working. The truth is that it’s hard to say that any of Apple’s service offerings, other than iCloud and Apple Music, have been a hit, as it’s well-documented that Apple TV+ and Apple News+ have struggled to generate any major interest from consumers.
It’s been almost two years since Apple Arcade was released, and whilst the $4.99 service on its own won’t make Apple billions, partnering it up with Apple One makes Arcade a more compelling product. Remember: Apple Arcade offers users access to more than 100 exclusive premium games on iOS, macOS, and tvOS for just $4.99 per month, and though favorites like What the Golf and Hot Lava were popular, paying the same five bucks per month to play the same one or two games seems excessive and expensive.
However, Apple One has made the service more accessible, as those casual gamers who only dip into titles now and again can still access them under a $19.99 family plan, which also includes iCloud+, Apple TV+, and Apple Music. Add in that Apple has added dozens of classic titles – now taking the number of games on the platform to over 180 – and Arcade now seems more attractive than ever before. Cut the Rope, Monument Valley, Chameleon Run, Reigns, and Fruit Ninja Classic are just some of the nostalgic favorites, ideal for capturing the attention of casual gamers and those not interested in the more intensive titles of today like Chivalry 2, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance. Apple Arcade won’t compete with the PlayStation or Xbox – but Apple doesn’t want to. It’s cornering a different market, and it’s starting to pay off.
Another major boost to the Arcade platform is that iOS and iPadOS support gaming controllers such as the Xbox Wireless Controller and PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller, [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210414] but Apple could go one step further. It has been reported for a number of years that the Cupertino company is working on its own virtual reality headset that could pave the way for more interactive games on the platform. Pair this with a redesigned Apple TV with an M1X processor that can allow for more complex and futuristic games to be played on the Apple ecosystem, matching the power in the iPhone, iPad, and Mac under the Apple Silicon migration, and Apple could further boost the chances of Arcade’s success, making Apple a serious gaming contender.
The truth is that we’ve come a long way since the early days of gaming on the iPod touch, and Apple has transformed the way we play. With new competitors like Netflix and Facebook on its heels, and the possibility of Disney+ entering the landscape with its own games, Apple has a challenge on its hands. But if the firm continues to innovate and offer new, engaging experiences, Apple Arcade will continue to thrive, and eventually, prove victorious.
