Apple has made headlines recently by acquiring RAC7, the developer behind the popular game Sneaky Sasquatch. This acquisition marks Apple’s first venture into purchasing a game developer and signifies a noteworthy shift in the company’s approach to gaming. It’s rumored that Apple plans to unveil a new gaming hub app to replace the existing Game Center during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, 2025.
This new app aims to consolidate gaming experiences across various Apple devices, including the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. For years, Apple devices were not specifically tailored for gamers. The design of Mac hardware prioritized battery life, thermal efficiency, and creative workflows, leaving gaming on the back burner.
While casual games thrived on the iOS App Store, there was little room for console-quality titles, partly due to Apple’s software ecosystem which presents several challenges for developers. The need for continuous app maintenance in response to frequent iOS updates has made it difficult for such games to succeed on the platform. However, in recent years, Apple has made strides towards prioritizing both gamers and developers.
The anticipated gaming hub is expected to provide an interface for users to browse the game section of the iOS App Store, while also promoting Apple’s subscription service, Apple Arcade. This app is set to replace Game Center, which originally launched in 2010 as a standalone application but was later moved to the Settings section in 2016. As the gaming landscape evolves, Apple’s focus on gaming appears to be gaining momentum.
Aside from Apple Arcade and the recent acquisition of RAC7, the tech giant introduced the Game Porting Toolkit in 2023, facilitating the adaptation of Windows games for Mac. These developments suggest a growing commitment to enhancing the gaming experience on Apple platforms, with notable titles like Resident Evil 4 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage making their way to iOS and macOS.