Gaming: Apple buys game studio for the first time, plans its own gaming app
Apple has acquired a smaller game developer for the first time. According to a report, it is RAC7, known from the title "Sneaky Sasquatch".
"Sneaky Sasquatch": Pretty graphics, funny content.
(Image: RAC7)
Normally, the acquisition of smaller game studios by large corporations is not a big deal. However, Apple is different: the iPhone manufacturer has never done this before. This is now changing: Apple has bought the company RAC7 from Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The IT publication Digital Trends reported on the deal, and an Apple spokesperson confirmed the acquisition. The purpose of the purchase is apparently to create an internal games studio within Apple for the first time.
“Special situation”
RAC7 is by no means a giant. The company claims to consist of just two people. But RAC7 has achieved a lot: Its humorous comic-like title “Sneaky Sasquatch”, in which you play a hungry mountain monster, was one of the first titles within Apple's in-house game subscription service Arcade. “We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the two-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue working on it with us,” Apple's statement said.
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Apple has acquired smaller software companies many times in its long history – They often become functions within the large systems (e.g., iTunes) or even their apps (e.g., Logic Pro). However, it remains to be seen whether Apple can now be expected to develop its own games for the first time. But if the company has already announced that RAC7 is to continue its work, it is to be expected. Apple offers the creators significantly more opportunities than a small team. However, according to Digital Trends, the acquisition is not a “new gaming strategy”. The RAC7 acquisition is a “special situation”. Apple wants to continue working with both large and small game studios to expand Apple Arcade.
Own games app for all platforms?
Meanwhile, Apple is working on a new game app for iOS 19, which will serve as a game launcher, leaderboard, and communication tool. It is also reportedly planned that the application will run on iPad, Mac and Apple TV, i.e., all Apple platforms. According to a report by Bloomberg, the app will be pre-installed.
Interesting: On the Mac, it is also planned to offer not only games from the App Store, but also those that can be purchased via direct channels. On the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, too, it will not just be an Apple Arcade tool. The idea is apparently to replace the rather unpopular Game Center.
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