Apple reportedly developing a new game-focused app store

Apple may be gearing up to make a major play in the gaming world.

According to a recent report from 9to5Mac citing unnamed sources, the tech giant is working on a game-focused App Store-like app that could significantly enhance how users discover and enjoy games on their devices.

The new app will integrate content from both Apple Arcade and the App Store while incorporating features from Game Center to enhance social connectivity and gameplay tracking.

Currently, Apple Arcade—Apple’s subscription service—offers access to a library of exclusive games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, while the App Store allows users to purchase or download individual games, including those outside of Apple Arcade. The new gaming app is rumoured to combine games from both services in one place, allowing users to browse, discover, and play titles without switching between different platforms.

The report noted that Game Center, Apple’s social gaming network, won’t be replaced, its features will also be integrated into the new app. This means that players will still be able to track achievements, check leaderboards, and view their friends’ game progress within the new gaming hub.

The app will reportedly offer multiple tabs, including “Play Now,” which will feature curated game suggestions, challenges, and editorial content. It will also promote special gaming events and updates.

Apple is even reportedly experimenting with integrating FaceTime and iMessage into the app, potentially allowing players to communicate during multiplayer sessions. Additionally, developers may be able to provide mini-game demos through App Clips, letting users try out games before downloading the full versions.

For gamers, all this is expected to provide a richer, more immersive way to engage with mobile gaming, signalling that Apple is increasingly eager to claim a larger slice of the pie in the gaming industry.

While Apple's current offering like the Arcade has provided a solid foundation for the company’s gaming efforts, offering a subscription service that spans devices from iPhone to Apple TV, it hasn't yet made Apple a go-to name for serious gamers. Competitors like Microsoft, Sony, and even Google, with their console and cloud gaming solutions, have often seemed a step ahead in appealing to dedicated gamers. Apple’s new app, which combines curated content, social features, and improved game discovery, may be its latest attempt to catch up.

Though details are still sparse, and no official launch date has been provided, it's clear that Apple is aiming to elevate the gaming experience on its platforms.

By unifying all its gaming content in one place, Apple is positioning itself to compete more seriously in a space where it’s often been overshadowed.