1: It’s a Subscription-Based Gaming Service
Apple did not share with the masses how much the service will be costing users, but it will be launching in the fall of 2019 with over 100 exclusive titles for the platform.
Apple Arcade will allow subscribers to play from a selection of titles over multiple devices, such as your iPhone, iPad, Apple-branded computers, and Apple TV.
The service works similarly to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, as the games are not streaming but will be available to users offline and without any advertisements.
With the Apple App Store being plagued with tons of low quality mobile titles, this service will feature a “premium” selection of games that people will actually want to check out.
2: Where You Can Use It
Apple Arcade will not be just a simple application on your phone but instead will be a separate area on the App Store itself. As long as you pay each month for the subscription fee, you have unlimited access to the library of games and their potential DLC.
You can play from the collection of games offline, as mentioned before, and you can also continue your progress from any device.
Did you start up Oceanhorn 2 on your iPad but want to finish the game on your iPhone? Apple Arcade will, apparently, make the transition pain-free and instant for those that play on different devices.
Apple is partnering with tons of reputable developers and studios such as Annapurna Interactive, Blowfish Studios, Konami, and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi.
Apple will be helping out with funding as money made from the subscriptions will go towards paying the talented development teams.
3: The Exclusive Games Coming to the Platform
During the Apple Arcade presentation, the company announced and showed gameplay footage of tons of different titles that will be coming to the service.
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi showed off his new game called Fantasian, from his team over at Mistwalker. The two trailers that Apple showed off during the event had these titles to present to the viewer:
- “Where Cards Fall” by Sam Rosenthal & Cedric Adams, Snowman/The Game Band
- “Lifelike” by Denis Mikan, kunabi brother
- “Overland” by Bekah Saltsman, Finji
- “Little Orpheus” by Sumo Digital/The Chinese Room
- “The Artful Escape” by Annapurna Interactive/Beethoven & Dinosaur
- “The Pathless” by Annapurna Interactive/Giant Squid “
- ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree” by Wildboy Studios
- “LEGO Brawls” by LEGO/RED Games
- “Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm” by Cornfox & Bros.
- “Sonic Racing” by SEGA®/HARDlight Studios
- “Box Project” by AQUIRIS
- “Frogger in Toy Town” by Konami
- “Projection: First Light” by Blowfish Studios/Shadowplay Studios
- “Mr. Turtle” by Illusion Labs
- “FANTASIAN” by Mistwalker Corporation
- “Enter The Construct” by Directive Games Limited
- “Beyond a Steel Sky” by Revolution Software
- “Sayonara Wild Hearts” by Annapurna Interactive/Simogo
- “Hot Lava” by Klei Entertainment