Games program: What is Apple doing with the Games app for iOS, iPadOS and macOS?
In addition to the App Store, there will also be a central overview application for gaming with Apple devices. Is this Apple's way of separating games and apps?
Apple Games App: Game collection for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
(Image: Apple)
The rumors that Apple would for the first time bring a dedicated app just for gaming to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac were true: The Apple Games app, as it is officially called, will be part of iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26, as Apple announced this week at WWDC 2025. According to the company, the aim was to create a “central place for games and playing together with friends”. The approach is interesting: Apple is bringing together as many games as possible on the Mac, including those that do not come from the App Store. In addition, according to current speculation from Apple blogger John Gruber, a separate Apple games app could lead to games and regular apps being separated in the future. One reason: Apple could defend itself against new competitors such as the Epic Games Store, which has found its way onto the iPhone thanks to the Digital Markets Act in the EU. Finally, it is conceivable that Apple could also tweak the tariffs for developers here, making it more attractive to remain on Apple's platform.
Collection point with “social layer”
However, there is currently no sign of any of this. Instead, Apple is initially marketing the Games app as a way to get a better overview of its game collection, plus the opportunity to discover new content. “The Games app makes it easier than ever to enjoy all your games in one convenient place and keep track of everything that's happening so you never miss important events and updates,” the company writes in PR-speak. There are also challenges and a new “social layer” for communicating with other players. Game Center remains the underlying technology.
Videos by heise
The central component of the Games App is Apple Arcade, the iPhone group's game subscription service, which is still comparatively cheap at just under 7 euros per month and allows access to 200 ad-free and in-app purchase-free games, which are regularly updated. However, the Games app is also intended to promote all other interesting titles and bring them together in one interface. There is also a new library, which contains events and achievements and serves as a start screen for existing titles. Nice: game controllers can be used for navigation. A “Play together” function is supplemented by a leaderboard. Unfortunately, Apple TV is not yet covered – It is still unclear whether the games app will also appear for tvOS, although Apple Arcade runs here.
Does Apple want more than just a game collection point?
The new games app has led to speculation that Apple may want more than just to produce a new games collection point, showing that its platforms do provide a rich gaming offering. The iPhone company is currently struggling to maintain its service revenues, particularly in the USA and the EU. In the US, a court now allows in-app sales to be processed simply via a link to the web, while in the EU, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) has forced the iOS and iPadOS platforms to open up. There are now competing app stores here, which Apple calls the “Alternative App Marketplace”. The central conflict here has always been the high commission that Apple has been charging for many years: 30 percent for sales under one million US dollars per year, otherwise 15 percent (also for subscriptions after one year).
The Epic Games Store from arch-enemy Epic Games is also not free, but has more favorable commissions. Up to one million dollars in sales, no fee is charged. Otherwise, 12 percent is due. It is conceivable that Apple could accommodate its developers similarly and take some pressure off the regulatory situation. However, this would be easier with its own game store, as the company could then initially limit the price reduction to one area. Alternatively, the high commission on games could be retained, while “normal” apps would become cheaper. So far, however, this is not even a rumor, but just a thought experiment.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(bsc)
