Apple is working on a new gaming app store

Apple Reportedly Developing a Dedicated Gaming App with Features from the App Store and Apple Arcade

Apple is rumored to be working on a standalone app dedicated to gaming that will combine popular features from the App Store and Apple Arcade. After the iPhone 16 series launch, Apple continues to refine its software lineup. Beyond its focus on Apple Intelligence, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a game-specific app that will act as a hub for gaming on its devices.

According to a report by 9to5Mac, this upcoming gaming app is expected to incorporate key functionalities from both the App Store and Game Center, combining features to create a centralized platform for gamers. Importantly, this app will not replace Game Center but will instead integrate seamlessly with users’ Game Center profiles, enabling players to access their achievements, friends, and progress all in one place. By consolidating these features, Apple aims to provide a more unified and streamlined gaming experience across its ecosystem, enhancing usability and accessibility for casual and dedicated gamers.

New iOS Gaming App Features

The rumored gaming app is expected to have several user-friendly sections, including a “Play Now” tab that would showcase editorial content, game recommendations, challenges, leaderboards, and achievements. These sections are designed to make the gaming experience more enjoyable and convenient. It would also feature tabs for users to view their game library and check friends’ activities.

Apple is also reportedly experimenting with the integration of FaceTime and iMessage within this gaming app, allowing players to communicate seamlessly during gameplay. This feature is designed to enhance the social aspect of gaming, making the experience more engaging, immersive, and interactive. Players could connect with friends and engage in real-time communication, adding a new dimension to collaborative and competitive play. Additionally, the app may even allow developers to create mini-games using App Clips, further expanding the range of gaming experiences and enabling players to try out quick, accessible game content without needing full downloads.

Beyond individual gameplay features, the new app is expected to highlight special events and important updates related to popular games, similar to how Xbox and PlayStation manage community engagement. AApple’sgoal seems to be to boost the gaming appeal of its devices, giving users a centralized place to track gaming activity, explore new games, and manage their collection.

This rumored app comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over app store policies, in light of the ongoing dispute between Google and Epic Games over revenue sharing and distribution restrictions. Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, has challenged both Google and Apple on their commission fees, arguing for more flexibility in app distribution and revenue models. The launch of Apple’s new gaming app could potentially spark similar controversies or challenges, particularly in terms of revenue sharing and app distribution, which could impact the gaming landscape on Apple devices.

Apple offers Apple Arcade, a subscription service that gives users access to games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for $6.99 monthly (around ₹580). The App Store has been linked with Apple Arcade and has become famous for gamers who enjoy ad-free and in-app purchase-free gaming. With the recent release of iOS 18 and macOS 15, Apple has also introduced tools to help developers port Mac games to iOS, further enriching the gaming landscape on Apple devices.

There has been no official word from Apple regarding the launch date of the new gaming app. The app is still in the early rumor stages, and it’s unclear whether it will debut in an iOS 18 update or as part of iOS 19. However, if these developments materialize, Apple’s gaming app could potentially transform the gaming experience on its devices, catering to casual and dedicated gamers alike. This potential transformation is something that gamers can look forward to with optimism and hope.