After Google's investment in Stadia, it was Apple's turn to enter video games. Unlike services that rely on the cloud to stream games, Apple Arcade is a subscription service featuring games that can be installed from the App Store.
The intention is to turn the service into a kind of "gallery," bringing some App Store games into the Apple Arcade subscription service. Users will pay monthly to access the system and download the games available there. The platform will offer 100 new and exclusive games and will launch for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
SEGA was confirmed as one of the partners for the new system, with a brief clip from the Sonic Generations trailer appearing in the promotional teaser and confirmation that the mobile version of Team Sonic Racing will be included. This suggests that the mobile version of SEGA's game may be exclusive to Apple devices.
Preview of Team Sonic Racing for mobile devices, with a high likelihood that it will be exclusive to Apple systems.
Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, had the following to say about the service:
The App Store is the world's largest gaming platform. Now we are going to take games one step further with Apple Arcade, the first game-subscription service for mobile, desktop, and the living room.
Apple Arcade also presents the complete absence of ads as one of its distinguishing features. A subscription will give players an opportunity to try any available game. Every game will provide access to the complete experience, including all bonuses and future updates, without requiring additional purchases. Every game will be playable offline, and many will support controllers. Even if players change devices, their progress and games will not be lost.
Developers promised to be involved in the new platform include Annapurna Interactive, Bossa Studios, Cartoon Network, Finji, Giant Squid, Klei Entertainment, Lego, Konami, Mistwalker Corporation, SEGA, Snowman, and more.
Apple Arcade will launch in the second half of 2019 in more than 150 countries, with a new tab in the App Store for accessing it.
