Key Points
- Apple will unveil a dedicated gaming app at WWDC on June 9.
- The app replaces Game Center and will centralize achievements, leaderboards, and game launches.
- It will integrate Apple Arcade and offer direct access to the App Store’s game section.
- Mac users will be allowed to install games from outside the App Store. Apple has acquired its first gaming studio, RAC7, creators of Sneaky Sasquatch.
Apple is preparing to make a major push into gaming with the announcement of a new dedicated gaming app at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The app will launch on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS and is designed to unify Apple’s fragmented gaming experience into a single, cohesive platform.
Set to replace the aging Game Center, the new app will come pre-installed on devices and act as a central hub for launching games, tracking achievements and leaderboards, managing in-game communications, and viewing editorial content. It will also integrate directly with the App Store’s game section and promote Apple Arcade, the company’s $6.99/month gaming subscription service.
On Macs, the app is expected to provide users with the ability to download games outside the App Store, signaling a shift toward giving users more flexibility and addressing longstanding complaints from gamers about the limited options for Mac gaming—currently, Apple trails behind Windows PCs and dedicated gaming consoles in terms of performance and game availability.
The announcement is expected on June 9, just days after Nintendo launches its new Switch 2 console. Apple’s gaming app is set to debut alongside iOS 19 in September, coinciding with the expected release of the iPhone 17 series.
The gaming announcement also comes on the heels of Apple’s first-ever acquisition of a gaming studio: RAC7, the indie developer behind the popular Apple Arcade title Sneaky Sasquatch. Apple confirmed the acquisition, stating the two-person team will continue developing the game under its wing.
This move highlights Apple’s growing interest in gaming, positioning the company to compete more directly with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. The WWDC event is also expected to feature a major design overhaul across all Apple platforms, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
