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Apple Considered Launching Cloud Gaming Service

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Apple has discussed launching a cloud-based gaming service to rival the likes of Xbox Cloud Gaming and Google Stadia, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

applearcade.jpg

In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple has considered launching a cloud-based game streaming service like its competitors (emphasis our own):
Apple's gaming service is somewhat unique, relying on games that run on its devices natively rather than from the cloud. Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp., Google and others have launched gaming services that run from the cloud. That allows support for a wider range of games and creates a "Netflix for games"-like experience. Oddly, Apple doesn't allow those rivals to join Apple Arcade on the App Store. The company says that's not because they're competitors, but simply because it doesn't allow all-you-can-eat cloud gaming services on its devices. Despite that, the company in the past has internally discussed the prospects of launching such a service, I'm told. I just hope that if Apple does, it then greenlights its rivals' participation too.
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Thus far, Apple has focused on games that have to be downloaded and run natively, rather than games that stream from the cloud. The company launched Apple Arcade‌‌ in September of 2019 as an ad-free mobile game subscription service with no in-app purchases. ‌‌Apple Arcade‌‌ is available across the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac for $4.99 per month, or as part of the Apple One bundle.

One explanation for why Apple has not moved forward with cloud gaming as far as we know may be because it seems to prefer using powerful local hardware rather than depending on an internet connection to stream games being processed elsewhere. It also seems unlikely that the company would risk an obligation to allow competing cloud gaming services by Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, Amazon, and Netflix onto the App Store, which have otherwise been forced to use browser-based solutions. Nevertheless, the company may have been sensitive to the growing interest in cloud gaming from its rivals.

Article Link: Apple Considered Launching Cloud Gaming Service
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/apple-considered-launching-cloud-gaming-service/
Apple should consider buying Google Stadia though I doubt Google wants to sell it. Stadia has a great streaming infrastructure, much better than Xcloud. They just need more games, especially big AAA games. Charge $5/mo for Arcade and $10/mo for Stadia Pro. Get more AAA game companies to add their games to the service. Just my thoughts.
 
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The biggest reason they haven’t had this service is because they don’t have the games to support it. The 2 biggest advantages of a cloud based gaming service are game titles and cloud processing/storage [which you only need for the most demanding games].
 
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I wish Apple would stop wasting resources on Arcade and just buy or start to finance real games with native clients. IMHO they have far more to gain if devs regard the M series machines as a viable gaming platform, at least as it matures, hopefully we get some stunning performance numbers today.

Edit: I'm not saying we need to have a native client for Cyperpunk 2077 that can max out settings but if Apple were to take the wasted resources of other projects and finance native clients for mid level games the platform could gain some credibility with casual gamers, especially now that bootcamp is not an option.
 
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I see Apple eventually entering this business because it is where the industry is heading. If they do not act they will fall further behind regardless of the innovative hardware they are now developing. This would be a shame because they have already missed so many opportunities to be competitive in the gaming market and its ecosystem would clearly benefit from a competitive Apple alternative.
 
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Apple knows it cannot beat Microsoft who is going to end up the clear winner.

Sony is now also falling behind.
 
Btaylor_prod said:
The biggest reason they haven’t had this service is because they don’t have the games to support it. The 2 biggest advantages of a cloud based gaming service are game titles and cloud processing/storage [which you only need for the most demanding games].
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There is not a single advantage of cloud gaming. The only thing it is good for is letting people play games without having to buy a Xbox Series X (while having worse gaming experience)
 
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George Dawes said:
Appletv has so much untapped potential… little tweak and a speed bump …
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I think Minecraft being pulled from Apple TV shows a lack of participation, regardless of hardware potential. Most people who are looking for AAA titles to play on TV buy consoles, they don't even consider Apple TV in that space.
 
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alternamelka said:
Apple would need games for this to work. Honestly I was rooting for Apple Arcade but there are no good AAA games
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There are no bad AAA games either, it was literally promised and promoted as “no AAA games”. :) How? Well, all AAA games are loaded with loot boxes for IAP’s and IAP’s aren’t allowed in Apple Arcade games. So, I mean, anyone hoping or expecting AAA loot box loaded games can just stop hoping for those, like, yesterday.
 
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Apple doesn't care about games - Apple just wants the money.

Apple already makes most of the money in the gaming industry. If Apple moves into cloud gaming, it'll just be because their profits are threatened. If game developers see that cloud games yield better profits, they'll shift away from making native games. Maybe they'll expect players to just shift to streaming their games into Safari.

Apple would have to develop a better native client and cripple Safari to round up developers and players and get them back into the app store, where Apple can continue taking a cut for dubious benefits. Oh sure, Apple will then permit alternative clients, where they'll still be taking a cut, after they've already preinstalled their own and after years of not permitting such apps in the app store.
 
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Unregistered 4U said:
There are no bad AAA games either, it was literally promised and promoted as “no AAA games”. :) How? Well, all AAA games are loaded with loot boxes for IAP’s and IAP’s aren’t allowed in Apple Arcade games. So, I mean, anyone hoping or expecting AAA loot box loaded games can just stop hoping for those, like, yesterday.
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Sure, lets just call it Apple Crapcade™
 
UBS28 said:
Apple knows it cannot beat Microsoft who is going to end up the clear winner.

Sony is now also falling behind.
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Microsoft is the clear winner in desktop OS’s, too.
Nonetheless, Apple is quite profitable even in the face of that truth. Apple never has to “own the world”, they just have to find customers with dollars to spend on their stuff. Find a few hundred million of those, pick up new ones as old ones stop buying stuff and you can live in the shadow of Microsoft for decades.
 
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