Apple is set to introduce a new dedicated gaming app at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, scheduled for June 9–13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman report.
This app aims to centralize gaming features across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, replacing the existing Game Center.
Bloomberg reports the app will serve as a hub for launching games, tracking achievements, viewing leaderboards, and accessing editorial content. It will also provide quick links to the App Store's game section and highlight Apple Arcade, the company's \$6.99/month subscription service.
NEW: Apple is planning a dedicated app for video games on its devices, seeking to sell gamers and developers on the idea that it’s a leader in the market. https://t.co/UkVxfLOFZO
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 27, 2025
The new gaming app is expected to be pre-installed with iOS 19, slated for release in September 2025.
Features will include a "Play Now" tab for curated game recommendations, integration with FaceTime and iMessage for social interactions, and support for App Clips to offer mini-game demos .
Additionally, The Verge reports that Mac-specific feature will allow users to play games downloaded from outside the App Store.
In a strategic move to bolster its gaming portfolio, Apple has acquired RAC7 Games, the studio behind the popular Apple Arcade title *Sneaky Sasquatch*. RAC7 will continue to operate independently within Apple.
Despite these initiatives, Apple faces challenges in gaining significant traction in the gaming market, particularly on Mac devices, which are often perceived as less capable than Windows PCs for gaming.
According to Tech in Asia, Apple’s acquisition of RAC7 Games, reported by Tech in Asia, marks its first gaming studio purchase and signals a strategic shift from platform provider to content creator.
Known for the hit Apple Arcade title Sneaky Sasquatch, RAC7 strengthens Apple’s push for exclusive, curated gaming experiences—mirroring its content strategy seen in Apple TV+.
The upcoming gaming app represents Apple's most substantial effort to date to establish a stronger presence in the gaming industry.
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