Apple set to replace Game Center with unified gaming app across devices

Apple is expected to unveil a new gaming app at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which could significantly enhance its gaming platform. According to The Verge, which cites a report from Bloomberg, the app is slated for a September launch and is expected to replace the current Game Center. It is believed the app will function as a hub for launching games, tracking achievements, viewing leaderboards, and accessing editorial content across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

The app is anticipated to enable users to manage their gaming experience across multiple Apple devices, in a similar way to the Xbox app on multiple platforms. A key feature of the app may be its support for games downloaded outside the App Store on macOS, which could represent a departure from Apple's traditional approach to software distribution.

In a related development, Apple has acquired RAC7, the studio behind the popular Sneaky Sasquatch title on Apple Arcade. As reported by Digital Trends, an Apple spokesperson shared, "We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the 2-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue their work on it with us. We will continue to deliver a great experience for Apple Arcade players with hundreds of games from many of the best game developers in the world." Despite the acquisition, RAC7 is expected to continue operating independently, underscoring Apple's growing focus on exclusive gaming content and its ongoing commitment to expanding its gaming ecosystem.

This new app, which aims to integrate gaming into Apple's broader ecosystem, could position itself as a competitor to established services like Xbox Game Pass, with an emphasis on exclusive content and a smooth user experience across Apple devices.