Apple Reportedly Considering Gaming Subscription Service

Apple has held discussions with developers about a potential gaming subscription service, according to Cheddar's Alex Heath.

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The report, citing five unnamed sources, claims the service would function like "Netflix for games," providing paying subscribers with access to a bundle of games for a set price. Apple began privately discussing the service with game developers in the second half of 2018, according to the report.

It's unclear how much the subscription will cost, when it may launch, or what kind of games Apple will offer. Apple has App Stores full of games on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV, but many are free-to-download "freemium" titles supported by in-app purchases like coins and jewels.

The service, said to be in the early stages of development, could bring more visibility to paid titles like Alto's Odyssey and Monument Valley rather than freemium titles like Clash of Clans that dominate the App Store charts. Given how early it is, though, Apple could ultimately abandon the plans.

Apple has also discussed partnering with developers as a publisher, according to two of the sources cited, suggesting that the ‌iPhone‌ maker could handle marketing, distribution, and other related costs for select games.

Possibly of note, Apple recently expanded its iPod touch trademark to encompass gaming in the United States. While sales of the device have faded in recent years, rumors suggest Apple may be planning a seventh-generation iPod touch, which would likely be one of the cheapest points of entry for an Apple gaming service.

Apple is also expected to launch subscription-based services for TV shows and movies and magazines and newspapers this year.

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Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
84 months ago
Apple Reportedly Considering Gaming
YES, FINALLY!

Subscription Service
God ****ing dammit.

The only consolation I have is the fact that it looks like somebody in this article's image is DJ-ing with their foot:



Attachment Image
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G5isAlive Avatar
84 months ago
because Apple is so known as the gaming capital of the world!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matt_and_187_like_this Avatar
84 months ago
Games, TV, Music, Magazines, Cloud storage...

Price for all of this?
Only the equivalent of 1 cup of coffee each until you can't afford actual coffee anymore.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RickInHouston Avatar
84 months ago
It's clear services want us all in monthly subscriptions. Forever,
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
84 months ago
Apple seems to be moving away from being an innovator. People call this "services revenue" but we all know what it really is: a middle man. Was this Steve Jobs dream?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Enclavean Avatar
84 months ago
Yes whenever people think gaming they think they need an apple product
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)