Apple has acquired its first game developer, RAC7, and plans to launch a dedicated gaming app in late 2025. Here’s what it could mean for Apple’s future in gaming.
Apple Acquires First Game Developer, Plans Dedicated Gaming Hub Ahead of WWDC 2025
Apple just made a rare move in the gaming world—and it’s turning heads. For the first time ever, the tech giant has acquired a game development studio, RAC7, best known for the hit Apple Arcade title Sneaky Sasquatch. And if that wasn’t enough, Apple is also reportedly working on a dedicated gaming app set to launch before the end of 2025.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple plans to unveil this gaming hub at WWDC 2025 on June 9—just four days after the highly anticipated Switch 2 launch. The timing is no coincidence and suggests Apple is finally making a more serious play for gaming relevance.
What’s Apple’s New Gaming App About?
While the app doesn’t have an official name yet, insiders say it’s designed to serve as a central gaming portal for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Think of it as a modern, more refined take on the old Game Center—which Apple buried in the Settings menu back in 2016.
The new app is expected to:
- Act as a dedicated game discovery hub
- Showcase Apple Arcade content
- Potentially integrate achievements, friends lists, and social features
Essentially, it’s meant to fix the fragmented game experience across Apple’s ecosystem, making gaming feel like a first-class citizen on Apple hardware.
Apple Acquires RAC7 – But Don’t Expect a Studio Spree
In a separate report by Digital Trends, Apple confirmed its acquisition of RAC7, the tiny Canadian studio behind Sneaky Sasquatch. While Apple claims this isn’t the start of a full-blown acquisition strategy, it’s still a notable shift.
Apple’s historically stayed away from buying game developers, and this move may signal an increased effort to bolster Apple Arcade with exclusive, homegrown content.
The acquisition is being framed as a “unique opportunity,” not a strategic overhaul. Still, it’s hard to ignore the timing, especially as Apple continues to roll out tools like its Game Porting Toolkit, which debuted in 2023 and helps bring Windows games to macOS more easily.
Can Apple Really Win Over Gamers?
Here’s the tricky part: Apple has never been a gamer’s go-to platform. For years, Macs prioritized creative tools and energy efficiency over graphical horsepower.
Meanwhile, iOS gaming thrived on casual titles, but struggled with deep, console-like experiences due to Apple’s restrictive development environment.
Things are shifting, though. AAA games like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Assassin’s Creed Mirage are now playable on Apple devices.
Combine that with the upcoming gaming hub, RAC7’s acquisition, and a continued push for developer tools, and it’s clear Apple’s interest in gaming is growing.
Still, skepticism is warranted. A single studio buy and a revamped app don’t necessarily make Apple the next big player in gaming. But for a company that’s historically treated gaming as an afterthought, these moves are a pretty bold step forward.
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