Apple Arcade is the best thing to happen to mobile games since the App Store.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Arcade Adds Five New Games on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV as 'LEGO Brawls' Expands to Mac
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I agree about the IAP's and ads being non-existent on this setup it's refreshing, although most games have been underwhelming for me. It also might encourage those devs that have games with in-app purchases to jump in the subscription bandwagon to make money. Then, there will be even more subscription fatigue in the App Store.
So far I'm very please with this. There are some brilliant games, and not having any in game purchases, really makes the price ideal.
No different to the 1000 different fart apps we got when the App Store was first introduced in 2008. As it becomes more established, larger developers will move towards Apple Arcade to create some seriously big games which use the iPhone's horsepower and aren't forced to write their games with pay-to-win mechanics.
Apple Arcade is a really positive step in the right direction. Personally I feel really optimistic about the future of gaming on iOS.
If it's no different, then why pay $5/mo?
I really did a 180 once most of my time playing apple arcade games became just Mini Motorways (despite the stopped intersection bug)
These are games that they're paid to produce, not hoping to recoup later. The enemies in fallen knight's trailer don't even have an idle animation. These are games that I'd make, not that a team that's paid to do it.
Can games that are included in Apple Arcade still be purchased à la carte?
I don't see an obvious way to do so. I don't play enough games to warrant a subscription, but I do buy them to play occasionally, when I have time.
If there is no way to individually purchase Apple Arcade games, I imagine developers won't want to ride this carousel for long. Stick a game on Arcade for a few months to enjoy the limelight, then revert to old-fashioned sales. Should be fine for Apple as well, to rotate games in and out.
I'm sure developers get a chunk of subscription money commensurate to the popularity of their game, so I wonder how many subscriber downloads it would take to equal the revenue that would have been generated by x number of sales at, say, $3.99.
I don't see an obvious way to do so. I don't play enough games to warrant a subscription, but I do buy them to play occasionally, when I have time.
If there is no way to individually purchase Apple Arcade games, I imagine developers won't want to ride this carousel for long. Stick a game on Arcade for a few months to enjoy the limelight, then revert to old-fashioned sales. Should be fine for Apple as well, to rotate games in and out.
I'm sure developers get a chunk of subscription money commensurate to the popularity of their game, so I wonder how many subscriber downloads it would take to equal the revenue that would have been generated by x number of sales at, say, $3.99.
Any of these work nicely with touch? They look more like controller games. I liked the idea of Apple Arcade but cancelled by trial as I wasn't loving anything they had on launch. Game quality is definitely way up compared to usual iOS games though. Just when I want to play it's normally at times when I wouldn't have a controller with me, so I'm really looking for touch gaming that feels great.
Not an easy thing to deliver I guess.
Not an easy thing to deliver I guess.
Last edited:
Is it just me or are many of the titles way too similar, particularly in graphical style? Most too are quite childish. The platform seems to be mainly for or targeting kids. Not that that’s a bad thing compared to what the App Store has become, but I like and want adult-oriented content.
The best for me so far have been Pilgrims, Stela (though both were fairly short) and Mini Motorways. I’m not seeing a lot else to grab my attention, though I downloaded Neo Cab and will give that a go. Not sure if I’ll remain a subscriber.
The best for me so far have been Pilgrims, Stela (though both were fairly short) and Mini Motorways. I’m not seeing a lot else to grab my attention, though I downloaded Neo Cab and will give that a go. Not sure if I’ll remain a subscriber.
Last edited:
You can always sell it if they bring out a new one. I’m in the same boat. We’re overdue for another TV box.
Currently they are not available separately and it’s not at all clear whether they ever will be on iOS. One would assume developers have to commit to a certain period of exclusivity in Arcade, but the details are no doubt kept under NDA. Assuming so, I do hope that whatever period that is (say 3 months?) the developers are able to either offer the game for purchase outright in addition to Arcade or are able to withdraw it from Arcade to do so. I can’t see too many signing up if they don’t have that capacity to modify their publishing arrangements.
I‘m also wondering how well the platform will be embraced by developers going forward. I think it was attractive for those who managed to make the launch lineup because of the smallish initial catalogue and the free trial Apple is offering customers. As the catalogue grows and the free period ends I’m sure not even developers know how attractive it will be yet.
Apple should offer subscription free for a year when you buy a new iPhone or iPad, in addition to or instead of Apple TV+. I know which one I’d prefer!
Everyone will value things differently, but my logic is that I spend about an hour on a train every day I commute into work. This is an excellent way to pass the time. On top of that, the value extends to my entire family so we all get the games for $5 / month without nags, up-sells, micro-transactions, etc. The quality is vastly superior to most of the stuff in the store today.
[automerge]1572108777[/automerge]
No different to the 1000 different fart apps we got when the App Store was first introduced in 2008. As it becomes more established, larger developers will move towards Apple Arcade to create some seriously big games which use the iPhone's horsepower and aren't forced to write their games with pay-to-win mechanics.
Apple Arcade is a really positive step in the right direction. Personally I feel really optimistic about the future of gaming on iOS.
I agree 100%. I think what we’re seeing is Apple trying to elevate quality in a walled garden within the App Store. It’s working. I get less value out of News+, although I like it. Apple Arcade, so far, is the add-on service I would definitely keep.
They run fine on my 4K Apple TV, but some of the games are noticeably lagging on my 4th gen ATV (the one with the A8 processor) which I use in my bedroom with my 1080p TV.
If Apple doesn’t refresh their Apple TV by next week, I might look at picking up another 4K TV (refurbished perhaps), partly for the free year of TV+ as well. The A12 is by all reports pretty similar to the A12X in terms of performance anyways, but maybe a refreshed ATV might come with 4gb ram for future-proofing?
No different to the 1000 different fart apps we got when the App Store was first introduced in 2008. As it becomes more established, larger developers will move towards Apple Arcade to create some seriously big games which use the iPhone's horsepower and aren't forced to write their games with pay-to-win mechanics.
Apple Arcade is a really positive step in the right direction. Personally I feel really optimistic about the future of gaming on iOS.
Forced to? By whom? You’ve got it wrong. The ones that do chose to because they’re greedy and have no morals. The App Store devolved to crap as a result and Apple allowed it.
Getting pretty frustrated with Mini Motorways. It’s too punishing and will go from easy and in-control to impossible all of a sudden. They’re planning to add more to the game but right now I can’t see myself becoming a paid subscriber, especially not for just one game. I already played through the few games that caught my attention.
I'm liking the service so far. That Shinsakai game sucked me in and I've been playing a few others as well, all with a PS4 controller. I love the no IAP and for someone who is aiming for a more casual gaming approach, it's a good service. There's enough on here to keep me interested for how many hours a week I play (maybe 5ish).
In addition to performance considerations, I just can’t justify paying so much money for such an old device. I don’t mind paying that much if it were cutting edge, since then I’d get my money’s worth over a couple years.