Apple is reportedly developing a new, game-centric application aimed at strengthening its presence in the gaming industry.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the tech giant is working to position itself as a serious contender in the gaming market, both for players and developers. The publication suggests the app will be officially unveiled during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9. This dedicated gaming platform is expected to come pre-installed on all upcoming Apple devices, including Apple TV, and will function similarly to PC launchers like Steam—serving as a central hub for games, achievements, leaderboards, chat features, and social interactions. It will replace the current "Game Center" and may even include support for games downloaded outside the App Store on Mac, according to sources.
While Apple has not confirmed the project, its recent acquisition of Sneaky Sasquatch developer RAC7 Games adds credibility to the rumors, signaling a deeper investment in gaming content and infrastructure.
Apple is reportedly designing a new game-focused app dedicated to gaming. Photo by CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images.
Though Apple isn’t traditionally seen as a gaming-first company, its devices play a major role in the mobile gaming ecosystem. The iPhone dominates global mobile usage, and nearly two-thirds of the App Store’s revenue comes from premium games and in-app purchases. However, Bloomberg notes that despite these efforts, Apple may still struggle to shift the perception among core gamers and high-end game developers that Macs are less capable for gaming compared to Windows PCs.
The new gaming app is expected to launch alongside the next version of iOS, likely in September.
If you're curious about the titles available through Apple Arcade’s premium subscription, we've got you covered.Apple remains involved in a high-stakes legal dispute with Epic Games over app store policies and in-app payment systems. Last week, IGN reported that Fortnite’s return to iPhone and iPad propelled it to the top of the U.S. App Store charts. The game was removed globally in 2020 after Epic introduced a direct payment system bypassing Apple’s 30% fee. Now, five years and over $1 billion in lost revenue later, Fortnite is back on iOS—with its alternative payment method intact.
