First Batch of Apple Arcade Games Removed as Developer Contracts End

[MacRumors]

Apple today removed 15 games from Apple Arcade, just over two weeks after it listed the first batch of titles set to leave the subscription service due to developer contract expirations.

On July 18, Apple added a section to the Arcade area of the App Store titled "Leaving Arcade Soon" and listed the games that would be removed, but it did not specify when they would be gone.

That section of the App Store has now been taken down, and the titles that were included in the first batch no longer show up in a casual search of the Store. Games that have gone from ‌Apple Arcade‌ include Spelldrifter, Projection: First Light, Lifeslide, EarthNight, Cardpocalypse, Dead End Job, and more.

Apple says in a support document that users who downloaded a game before it was removed from Apple Arcade can continue to play the game for "at least two weeks after," suggesting the titles will remain playable until at least August 16 and possibly beyond then.

After such a time, users who launch an Apple Arcade game that is no longer playable will receive a "No Longer Available" message.

Apple says that after a game has been removed from Apple Arcade, the developer might choose to make their game available on the App Store for all users, although the game may differ from the version offered on Apple Arcade.

If a developer chooses to allow users to load their saved progress in the App Store version of the game, users can continue playing right where they left off in the Apple Arcade version. Otherwise, users must start the game over again.

A source informed MacRumors that when ‌Apple Arcade‌ first launched, Apple signed three-year deals with a number of developers, and some of these contracts are apparently nearing expiry and not being renewed, which is why the games have been removed.

Article Link: First Batch of Apple Arcade Games Removed as Developer Contracts End

 

[Marbles1]

Casual games, casually disappearing. Most subscribers won't notice.

A cheap service for throwaway entertainment.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

So you’re 67% into a game, then wake up to find that you have to buy the game just to complete it…

TIM YOU’RE A GENIUS!

 

[ponzicoinbro]

I just play the puzzle ones on public transport. At home I am playing Death Stranding which will no doubt take me 1 year to finish because literally have to make this guy walk 5 miles of countryside every gaming session.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

So you’re 67% into a game, then wake up to find that you have to buy the game just to complete it…

TIM YOU’RE A GENIUS!

Similar to if you're 67% of the way through a series and Netflix removes the series. Now you have to go buy the DVD of it or a find a digital copy to buy somewhere.

This isn't new or weird for a subscription service.

 

[djcerla]

… and nothing of value was lost.

 

[benedetti]

You'll own nothing and be happy...

 

[E-MO-TION]

Towaga and Spidersaurs are great for co-op (you can connect 2 Bluetooth controllers and play side-by-side)
But I'd rather pay for the games I want and keep them in perpetuity. There's really not enough good games to warrant the value of subscription.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

But I'd rather pay for the games I want and keep them in perpetuity

This isn't a guarantee either. You could purchase an app, and then Apple could remove the app from the App Store. Meaning if you ever deleted it from your phone, you couldn't get it back.

 

[syklee26]

Just acquire some classic games such as Neo-Geo or Taito or something like that. To me Arcade is the worst service offering from Apple.

 

[richxps]

Wait so if a game is removed from arcade, I get a chance to buy the game ?

 

[Corsig]

Is this any different from what Xbox or PS does? Honestly asking

 

[exoticSpice]

So you’re 67% into a game, then wake up to find that you have to buy the game just to complete it…

TIM YOU’RE A GENIUS!

No different to what xbox and PS does with their services

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Is this any different from what Xbox or PS does? Honestly asking

It isn't

 

[EvilEvil]

It isn't

With Playstation Plus you get to keep the monthly games as long as you're subscribed. If the game leaves Xbox or Apple Arcade, you're out of luck.

 

[Salvor Hardin]

Is this any different from what Xbox or PS does? Honestly asking

There’s no convulsed system where a game dropped from the subscription service will disappear from the store entirely if you want to buy it unless the dev brings it back, you also aren’t under any fear of even paid games having you suffer through terrible full screen ads as is the case on mobile.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

With Playstation Plus you get to keep the games as long as you're subscribed. If the game leaves Xbox or Apple Arcade, you're out of luck.

With the monthly free PS Plus games yes, but there is a playstation service very similar to Xbox Game Pass too where games do come and go. I forgot the name of it.

 

[adib]

This isn't a guarantee either. You could purchase an app, and then Apple could remove the app from the App Store. Meaning if you ever deleted it from your phone, you couldn't get it back.

Plus the app or game could be no longer supported by the platform... or no longer supported by any hardware for that matter... or can no longer be virtualized or emulated....

 

[paulovsouza]

Apple has the money to buy a studio, and help them develop content. I hope they don’t keep going the Apple News route. None of their own content, dependent on others, and publisher upset they’re not making enough. Instead of the Apple TV+ route where they own the content, and try to create new IPs.

 

[ksec]

But Macrumors comment's told me Apple is / was going to take over the Gaming world with Apple Arcade when they launch. Just like how Apple Music was suppose to annihilate Spotify, or Apple TV destroying Disney + and Netflix!

 

[CharlesJ42]

Wait so if a game is removed from arcade, I get a chance to buy the game ?

If the developer chooses that option, yes. If they decide to remove it altogether, then. O. Either way it’s the developer’s choice, not Apple’s.

 

[dumastudetto]

It's good Apple isn't going to waste money renewing unpopular or stale games. Money will be redirected towards new parties who will bring richly immersive gaming experiences to the Arcade.

 

[BrownyQ]

This reminds me that during my free trial of Apple Arcade, I wanted to try out Various Daylife because it was from Square, and never did. I'm not against the concept of the service in general, but I feel like they're lacking a true killer app to make it worth diving in.

Personally, had hoped that would be Fantasian, an RPG from Sakaguchi. But that game also turned out to be very... okay. Nothing great.

Here's a crazy thought: why not have the service host games that have since been shut down?

 

[4nNtt]

So you’re 67% into a game, then wake up to find that you have to buy the game just to complete it…

TIM YOU’RE A GENIUS!

And you are likely not able to transfer the save file since it needs a different app identifier, so you need to start over. The dev can work around the issue, but most games will not and it is too late once the game is removed.

This was not thought out well, but the App Store in general is the worst part of the Apple ecosystem.

 

[4nNtt]

This reminds me that during my free trial of Apple Arcade, I wanted to try out Various Daylife because it was from Square, and never did. I'm not against the concept of the service in general, but I feel like they're lacking a true killer app to make it worth diving in.

Personally, had hoped that would be Fantasian, an RPG from Sakaguchi. But that game also turned out to be very... okay. Nothing great.

Here's a crazy thought: why not have the service host games that have since been shut down?

Play Fantasian until chapter 2. It gets a lot better.