Apple is very happy with the results of its arcade subscription gaming service. The latter had an “extraordinary” year.
Since launching its mobile gaming subscription service in September 2019, Apple has made great strides in its offering. Today the catalog offers thousands of titles on ever more diverse subjects. If the great games that deserve titles for console and PC are still missing, several names that have made the history of mobile gaming are present in Apple Arcade.
For Matt Fisher, Apple’s VP of App Store Assets, Apple Arcade’s success over the past 12 months is simply “outstanding.” In an interview with the American blog CNET, without giving any figures, he assures that the service has exceeded the expectations and goals set at the beginning of the year.
Apple Arcade: one of the most profitable services
While the service is popular, it’s not beyond reproach. As journalist Shelby Brown mentions during the interview, Apple doesn’t have a headliner like Halo for Xbox or Mario for Nintendo. A problem identified and acknowledged by Fisher that gives the independent mobile game Sneaky Sasquatch great potential. It is now one of the most popular titles on Apple’s service with a 4.9/5 rating.
As Apple improves the quality of its products (iPhone, iPad and Mac) in terms of video games, the Apple Arcade offer is also enriched. In recent weeks, big names like NBA 2K23 have been popping up in the paid service’s catalogue.
When arrivals at Apple Arcade are numerous, Fisher ensures that departures multiply as well. So far there has only been a wave of game deletions, but Apple’s vice president assures that this should affect a “handful of games” every month for the next year.
Next step on console for Apple?
During the interview, Fisher did not provide any information about Apple’s development in the field of video games. As this market continues to open up, particularly with acquisitions of major studios like Activision, Apple seems to be waiting for the right moment to enter.
A few months ago, a partnership with EA Sports had hinted at the possibility of the studio being acquired by the Cupertino company. Nothing has been announced in this area yet, but Apple has been striving to conquer this market for years. In other crazy video game rumors, the Apple brand is developing a MacBook specially designed for gamers. This would be a first in the history of the brand.