Apple has announced an expansion to its Apple Arcade subscription game service. In addition to exclusive game launches, the company is adding two new categories – Timeless Classics and Great from the App Store.
In the “Great App Store” category, you can find some well-known iPhone games that have been launched in the last decade, such as Threes +, Mini Metro +, Monument Valley +, Fruit Ninja Classic +, Cut the Rope Remastered and Badland +.
This is an interesting move, as Apple has focused on exclusive titles so far. Without a doubt, some Apple Arcade games are popular game sequences from the App Store – I would put Mini Motorways and Rayman Mini in this category, for example.
But Apple is changing its stance and essentially buying an old catalog of games from the App Store. Some of them are still available on the App Store, while others have become incompatible with modern iOS versions due to structure and hardware updates. 64-bit processors have made many games incompatible, for example.
As always, Apple isn’t just putting free games behind paid access. These are new downloads from the App Store. You get the full game without any ads or in-app purchases.
In addition to the old school games on the App Store, Apple is also adding “Timeless Classics” games. It is a selection of classic board games and puzzles included with your subscription. Games include Backgammon +, Chess Play & Learn +, Good Sudoku +, Tiny Crossword +, etc.
These games should definitely help when it comes to reducing turnover. Some people just like to play chess indefinitely. They can start signing up to play chess and pay for an Apple Arcade subscription just to continue using the same app.
Overall, Apple is launching 32 games today, and Apple Arcade has more than 180 games in its catalog. Apple originally launched the service in September 2019. You can download Apple Arcade games for $ 4.99 a month and there are no additional in-app purchases. The games are available for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and macOS. Up to six family members can play with a single Apple Arcade subscription, and you can also access Apple Arcade with an Apple One subscription.
Apple has been betting heavily on subscription services such as Apple Music, Apple TV +, Apple Fitness + and Apple News +. Although some of these services have been very successful, such as Apple Music, the company is still adding more and more content to other services to prove that you must subscribe in the long run. And today’s Apple Arcade update should definitely help with your game subscription service.
Image credits: Apple