Apple is launching a new gaming subscription service called Apple Arcade, but what exactly is it?
Steve Jobs famously never approved of video games but Apple has decided to take their deepest dive yet into the gaming scene, with a new subscription service for iPhone and iPad. The service was first unveiled back in March and will launch worldwide this month.
The concept is essentially similar to Xbox Game Pass, in that you pay a set fee and can then play all the games on the service as much as you want, with Apple promising that none of them will involve microtransactions.
Here is everything we know about Apple Arcade at the moment.
What is Apple Arcade?
Apple Arcade takes the Netflix approach towards gaming by asking you to pay a monthly subscription to access all the video game content on the service, some of which isnt available anywhere else.
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You can access it (eventually) from all of Apple devices but it is not a streaming-based service like Google Stadia. Instead you have a library of games that you can download and play, and there is no limit to how many times you can access them.
There are no ads or additional purchases required after the initial monthly cost, and you decide whether to share your personal data or not. Apple Arcade also works with parental controls and Screen Time.
When is Apple Arcades release date?
Apple Arcade launches on Thursday, 19 September via the iPhone App Store. To access it you need iOS 13 firmware, which goes live at the same time as Apple Arcade.
This service hasnt officially released, but it is possible to download Apple Arcade early using a firmware public beta, but only on iPhone.
Afterwards, Apple Arcade will release on 30 September for iPad and Apple TV, and in October for MacBook.
What is Apple Arcades UK price?
The service costs £4.99 a month and is ad-free, but you can get a one-month free trial to test things out. One subscription can give six family members access to the service and you dont always have to be online, as Apple Arcade games can be downloaded to play offline.
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What do I get with Apple Arcade, and what can I play it on?
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Apple has joined together with some of the best indie developers around and is trying to ensure both quality and variety for all the apps.
The catalogue of titles will exceed 100 games at launch and will continuously be updated every month with new titles. A few of these are even exclusive to Apple Arcade, such as Beyond A Steel Sky, the sequel to classic adventure game Beneath A Steel Sky.
A number of traditional publishers are already onboard, including Konami with Frogger In Toyland and Capcom with Shinsekai: Into The Depths.
As the service is for the whole Apple family of products you can jump from device to device whenever you want to. From iPhone to iPad to MacBook and even Apple TV, as long as it has the necessary iOS 13 update.
Get ready. On September 19, play groundbreaking new games by many of the worlds most innovative developers.
Learn more about #AppleArcade here: https://t.co/BR7BfvIqQm pic.twitter.com/VGQRCPGCAY
— Apple Arcade (@AppleArcade) September 12, 2019
Will they have an Apple Arcade controller?
Apple hasnt officially announced an Apple controller, but the speculation is that its only a matter of time.
However, when it comes to gaming, a controller is paramount, so whats Apples answer to this? Wireless support for PlayStation 4 Dualshock 4 and Microsofts Xbox One controllers are coming to Apple TV, iPhone and iPad on 19 September- so youll be able to pair those pads for use with Apple Arcade.
Also, some games will support third party Bluetooth controllers, but we would advise sticking with official controllers.
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What Apple Arcade games are confirmed so far?
Over 100 games will be available to anyone who subscribes to Apple Arcade, but not all games have been officially announced. Here is the list of confirmed titles:
- Agent Intercept
- Assemble With Care
- Atone: Heart Of The Elder Tree
- Ballistic Baseball
- Beyond A Steel Sky
- Box Project
- Big Time Sports
- Bleak Sword
- Cardpocalypse
- Card Of Darkness
- CRead More – Source
