Apple might be known for being at the cutting edge of technology and always being willing to try new avenues to please those that are in its ecosystem, but one thing they are not known for is gaming. Videogames played on computers are not a strange thing, but usually gamers prefer to play on consoles like Xbox or just download a silly mobile game to distract themselves, and very few are expecting an Apple Arcade when they turn on their MacBook or their iPhone screen.
But they seem to be determined to expand into the videogame space and use the power they imbue in all their devices to make it as fun as possible for their customers. They even have a plan of action ready to go, with the first step being having their own video game development studios and the second one being creating a better platform for enjoying games on Apple devices.
Apple’s new gaming platform, another industry revolution for the tech giant
Apple is set to introduce a revamped version of Game Center at the WWDC 2025, transforming it into a comprehensive gaming hub. This new platform, which is similar in function to Microsoft’s Xbox app, aims to centralize all gaming activity in one place. Users will be able to browse their game libraries, discover and buy new games, track achievements and trophies, and check in on multiplayer leaderboards.
But like any other gaming platform, they are not stopping there and they are creating a social feature to go along with it, which will let connect with friends, share progress, and stay updated on the latest gaming news and content. According to experts, Apple sees this platform as the core experience for gaming across its ecosystem.
The new app will roll out with iOS 19 and will also be supported on iPad and Mac devices, but it will be against some steep competition for user’s attention, as during the same period of time, Nintendo is scheduled to launch their new Nintendo Switch 2. Like the first version, this console is designed for both living room gaming and portable gaming, which has made it insanely popular and many fans are looking forward to the new system to upgrade their setup.
While it might seem out the blue for those in the know, this new direction to the company is not unexpected, as Apple has been trying to compete with Windows computers for years in the computer game department, but their specialized software and their priorities have never made it possible for Apple to come out on top. This is all changing now thanks to the fact that they are now creating their own chips, thanks to subsidiary Apple Silicon. This has allowed them to adapt many games to be able to be played to their full potential in all three of their products, Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
To ensure that user experience is as good as they want it to be and that they are at the forefront, Apple has also purchased a video game studio, which had already made a successful Apple Arcade title proving that they understood the company and the complexities of working within their system. The studio in question is RAC7 and they created the very well known game ‘Sneaky Sasquatch,’ revolutionizing the way Apple users saw their devices and allowing executives to see the potential behind the idea.
If this venture does not succeed it will not because the company is not trying hard enough to please their users. It can be hard to escape the pigeonhole that consumers put you in, but Apple has always been able to subvert and surpass expectations, and of their track record is anything to go by, they will also succeed in this new venture.