Apple is reportedly launching dedicated gaming app this year, but who really needs it?

Here we go again. Apple is ready to get hardcore into gaming once more, reportedly this time with a dedicated app for games and gamers built-in to its devices like the iPhone and iPads later this year. A new report from Bloomberg cites "people with knowledge of the matter" that Apple will begin to preinstall the app on its devices, including the Apple TV set-top box, in 2025 and an announcement of the new addition is imminent to coincide with next week's launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. With the move, Apple is "seeking to sell gamers and developers on the idea that it’s a leader in the market." https://twitter.com/business/status/1927451003256774896 "The software will serve as a launcher for titles and centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven't been announced," Bloomberg said. Game Center? Remember that? It's been seemingly under-utilized for years and will now be replaced by the new app, according to the report. The gaming-centric app will "will feature editorial content from Apple about new titles, offer access to the App Store's game section" while promoting Apple Arcade, the company's game subscription service. There's no doubt that mobile gaming has a huge market share when it comes to spending, but each time Apple has tried to try and capture the "mainstream" gamer appeal with features like Apple Arcade or full-fledged game releases like Resident Evil Village, etc., gamers tend to stay where they're at. Will this new effort be any different? That remains to be seen, but I think it will have to be a bit more in-depth for it to be worth it for most gamers. We'll see just how deep this new app goes, but I'm skeptical. I also just don't think it's very necessary. There are already several kinds of launcher-like apps that come with peripherals such as Scuf Gaming and Backbone controllers, where players can use their ancillary hardware to find and launch games from. And I already have a folder full of all my games in one central spot to make it easier to find when I want to play something. But if this is to be an Xbox Live or PlayStation Network-like addition for Apple, maybe it will be better. I still really don't think most people want to play full-length, triple-A games like Resident Evil on their phones, though, not when consoles and PCs exist for that exact reason. The post Apple is reportedly launching dedicated gaming app this year, but who really needs it? appeared first on Destructoid.

May 27, 2025 - 22:40
 0
Apple is reportedly launching dedicated gaming app this year, but who really needs it?

Apple Arcade image

Here we go again. Apple is ready to get hardcore into gaming once more, reportedly this time with a dedicated app for games and gamers built-in to its devices like the iPhone and iPads later this year.

A new report from Bloomberg cites "people with knowledge of the matter" that Apple will begin to preinstall the app on its devices, including the Apple TV set-top box, in 2025 and an announcement of the new addition is imminent to coincide with next week's launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. With the move, Apple is "seeking to sell gamers and developers on the idea that it’s a leader in the market."

https://twitter.com/business/status/1927451003256774896

"The software will serve as a launcher for titles and centralize in-game achievements, leaderboards, communications and other activity, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven't been announced," Bloomberg said.

Game Center? Remember that? It's been seemingly under-utilized for years and will now be replaced by the new app, according to the report. The gaming-centric app will "will feature editorial content from Apple about new titles, offer access to the App Store's game section" while promoting Apple Arcade, the company's game subscription service.

There's no doubt that mobile gaming has a huge market share when it comes to spending, but each time Apple has tried to try and capture the "mainstream" gamer appeal with features like Apple Arcade or full-fledged game releases like Resident Evil Village, etc., gamers tend to stay where they're at.

Will this new effort be any different? That remains to be seen, but I think it will have to be a bit more in-depth for it to be worth it for most gamers. We'll see just how deep this new app goes, but I'm skeptical.

I also just don't think it's very necessary. There are already several kinds of launcher-like apps that come with peripherals such as Scuf Gaming and Backbone controllers, where players can use their ancillary hardware to find and launch games from. And I already have a folder full of all my games in one central spot to make it easier to find when I want to play something.

But if this is to be an Xbox Live or PlayStation Network-like addition for Apple, maybe it will be better. I still really don't think most people want to play full-length, triple-A games like Resident Evil on their phones, though, not when consoles and PCs exist for that exact reason.

The post Apple is reportedly launching dedicated gaming app this year, but who really needs it? appeared first on Destructoid.