Apple’s much-awaited Netflix -style video game service has finally arrived, and it’s here to redefine the gaming experience. Introducing Apple Arcade, a subscription-based gaming service that offers unlimited access to a vast library of exclusive and high-quality games, all for just $5 a month.
Gone are the days of purchasing individual games and worrying about in-app purchases. With Apple Arcade, gamers can explore a diverse collection of titles across genres, from action and adventure to puzzles and simulations, without any additional costs or advertisements. It’s a gaming paradise that puts the power in the hands of the players.
For just $5 a month, users can share their subscription with up to six family members, making gaming an enjoyable and affordable experience for everyone. And the best part? The entire Apple Arcade experience is ad-free, so gamers can immerse themselves fully in the captivating worlds of their favorite games.
Apple Arcade is available now on iPhone and the iPod Touch as a part of the iOS 13 update iPad OS will launch with Apple Arcade on September 24, and the MacOS Catalina update will add Apple Arcade to Mac computers when it’s released in October.
Apple Arcade’s launch includes tons of newly released games, and a few that are exclusive to the subscription service. Apple partnered with several prominent indie developers to ensure that Apple Arcade would have its own unique titles, and new games will be added to the service each week.
Unlike many popular mobile games, Apple Arcade titles don’t (and won’t) have in-game ads or microtransactions. Any updates to Apple Arcade titles will be included for free with the subscription. Some games include online play, but every Apple Arcade game can be played offline once downloaded.
Apple’s latest software updates make PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers compatible with all Apple devices, too, so you can use those controllers with Apple Arcade games. The service makes use of saving to the cloud, so your progress in each game is automatically transferred between devices, so long as you connect to the internet.
I haven’t had time to dig into every Apple Arcade game yet, but I found a handful of awesome games that make the $5 subscription well worth it. I tested Apple Arcade using an 9.7-inch iPad running the iPad OS beta, and on an iPod Touch, the smallest, cheapest device that can still access the service.