It's been barely a week since Google announced its video game streaming service that we have another tech giant making the leap into gaming and it comes at no surprise that this company is none other than Apple.

During its Apple Event today, the multi-billion dollar company announced its take on video game subscription service, the Apple Arcade. Touted as "the world’s first game subscription service for mobile, desktop and the living room", this service will offer over 100 new and exclusive games to subscribers, with titles coming from game creators like Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy) and Will Wright (SimCity) that will be playable across Apple devices.

Apple also announced that the service will feature games from Annapurna Interactive, Bossa Studios, Cartoon Network, Finji, Giant Squid, Klei Entertainment, Konami, LEGO, Mistwalker Corporation, SEGA, Snowman, ustwo games and dozens more. Some games that have already been announced include Sonic Racing, LEGO Brawls and Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm.

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Unlike streaming services like the recently unveiled Google Stadia, the Apple Arcade will be playable offline, and the games will be ad-free and without in-app purchases. For a monthly subscription fee (of an unspecified amount at the time of writing), players will have the opportunity to try any game in the service with all game features, content and future updates included right off their iPhone, iPad, Mac and/or Apple TV. Moreover, given that the service is accessible across Apple devices, subscribers can pick up where they left off in a game, even if they switch devices. Apple also mentions that "many games will offer support for game controllers".

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Apple Arcade will launch in fall 2019 in more than 150 countries from a new tab on the App Store across iOS, macOS and tvOS.

What do you think of Apple's move into the video game industry? Do you look forward to the Apple Arcade-exclusives?

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[Stwert]

Anybody else remember when Apple was trying to keep games off the app store because iPhones were for "serious, productive adults?" Rofl.

Can’t say as I do to be honest. But I’d love to read an article on it if you’ve got a link. Just to see how they’ve changed their tune.

 

[Xzi]

Can’t say as I do to be honest. But I’d love to read an article on it if you’ve got a link. Just to see how they’ve changed their tune.

Was like early/mid 2000s, I'd have to do some digging.

 

[spotanjo3]

No thanks, Apple. No for you! None!

 

[Zense]

Not that I expect much from this Apple service to be honest. But the Pippin? Really? Apple was a completely different company back before Jobs returned. Which is why they almost went bankrupt, until he came back and scrapped all of the stupid shit they were doing — including the Pippin.

I hope he returns this time too.

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

This will fail. Along with Stadia. And I will laugh.

I actually want Stadia to do good. It's very promising tech, but I think that streaming anything over the internet right now is barely possible due to costs for Internet and or access to it.

I'd personally like to go back to just buying physical copies of games and just installing them.

 

[Stwert]

Was like early/mid 2000s, I'd have to do some digging.

At the very start of the iPhone they didn’t even consider any third-party apps whatsoever. It wasn’t until a little later when they started allowing (realised they could make more money ) apps on the device.

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I hope he returns this time too.

That would be an achievement

 

[Zense]

At the very start of the iPhone they didn’t even consider any third-party apps whatsoever. It wasn’t until a little later when they started allowing (realised they could make more money ) apps on the device.

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That would be an achievement

If apple ends up in deep enough shit after this fails then maybe?

Also I seem to remember Steve Jobs saying he was against video games?

Don't quote me cus I'm too lazy to look for a source to that statement.

 

[the_randomizer]

If apple ends up in deep enough shit after this fails then maybe?

Hmm, that'd be a real shame, huh?

 

[Zense]

Hmm, that'd be a real shame, huh?

If he does, ask him to get Iwata to come back with him.

 

[slaphappygamer]

Oh god, not Apple. Are we gonna get re-releases of Snake and Pong for like $199.99 each?

But but but, itll include cloud based saving and support up ios13! *only on iPhone X and newer, please.

 

[wiewiec]

Fuck yeah, so I have only one Apple device that i care about - iPad... If i must choice my middle finger goes to Apple because limited ways to play. And predicting that their controller will have smashed big Apple logo without possibility to use third party or generic ones... So you probably you could buy chinese ones or some adaptera, but we bolock them because we like fuck up and great stability improve that all of you love...

 

[Willgheminass]

Yay! Subscribtion bassed gaming for 500$/month! This would be a disaster, if this would be like this. But let's see.

I'm not sure if you mean the subscription service, or the hardware itself. It probably doesn't make a difference.
(Joke)

 

[the_randomizer]

If he does ask him to get Iwata to come with him.

I don't get it?

 

[RPG_FAN128]

Considering I've never owned an apple device, and never will since there are superior phones and tablets and PC's out there.... this announcement is meaningless to me.

 

[the_randomizer]

Considering I've never owned an apple device, and never will since there are superior phones and tablets and PC's out there.... this announcement is meaningless to me.

I feel the same way. Nothing will ever compel me to waste money on an Apple device to play sub par Apple games.

 

[Rahkeesh]

A sub fee could easily be a step up compared to the current mobile norm of constantly being harassed to spend money on energy and consumables in free games. Paying an up-front cost to just relax enjoy a game is just not a particularly viable model there, as earlier experiments at decent games for a one-time premium have mostly dried up. This has a chance to bring back some of that quality and I'd like to see it given a shot.

 

[pitterpatter]

A sub fee could easily be a step up compared to the current mobile norm of constantly being harassed to spend money on energy and consumables in free games. Paying an up-front cost to just relax enjoy a game is just not a particularly viable model there, as earlier experiments at decent games for a one-time premium have mostly dried up. This has a chance to bring back some of that quality and I'd like to see it given a shot.

Sorry, those experiences are only reserved for Apple Gold Elite Gamer™ subscribers. Would you like to pay a small, one-time fee to upgrade for this particular title?

 

[DRAGONBALLVINTAGE]

When Apple says they did something first its a BIG FUCKING LIE!

 

[HEADBOY]

Yare Yare Daze this shits getting old

OH MY GOD! These services are clearly the work of another stand user!

 

[XDel]

Graphics, Controllers, and VR aside, what can the future of video games bring that the past has not? Isn't everything just a rip off of what was? Pretty much feels that way to me. Millions more games per year, but still only a handful will be worth playing, same as always.