Apple has launched a trial run of its Apple Arcade subscription which will be available to iOS, Mac and Apple TV users at launch, reports 9to5 Mac. The early access program is open to Apple employees for the beta test. The first month is free, and the program is $0.49 per month after that. The trial will last until the launch of iOS 13 which is set for mid-September, and it is expected Apple Arcade will launch around the same time.
Apple Arcade was first announced this spring. For a monthly subscription fee, iOS users would get access to a library of groundbreaking games that are ad-free and have no in-app purchases. According to Apple Insider, Apple has invested $500 million on Apple Arcade.
9to5 Mac also got the opportunity to test Apple Arcade, and they shared highlights with readers. Some of the games are Way of the Turtle, Down in Bermuda, Hot Lava, Sneaky Sasquatch, Kings of the Castle and Frogger in Toy Town. When Apple first announced the game subscription, it touted 100+ titles. Many of the additional games are in development.
Yesterday, 9to5 Mac followed up with an exclusive updateto the early access news. Apple Arcade subscriptions will cost $4.99 following a free one-month trial, and the subscription will be available to up to six members in a Family Sharing account.
The Apple Arcade website shares the following details:
- All you can play in one gaming subscription
- Jump from iPhone to iPad, Mac and Apple TV
- Play offline anytime, anywhere
- Committed to privacy
Play something extraordinary. Apple has joined forces with some of the worlds most innovative game developers to push the boundaries of whats possible, Apple says. Were working closely with these visionaries to help them realize the games of their dreams – and yours.
In addition to the games cited by 9to5 Mac in the early access version, Apple shares a few other games subscribers can look forward to, with many more to come:
- Where Cards Fall
- LEGO Brawlers
- Hot Lava
- The Pathless
- Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm
- Beyond a Steel Sky
- Doomsday Vault
- Winding Worlds
- Sonic Racing
- Cardpocalypse
If you are dying to try Apple Arcade, visit the Apple Arcade website and click the notify me button to share your email address. Apple will share news about the service as new details emerge.
Google announced a similar service, Google Play Pass, in August with a few changes. The Google Play Pass is priced at $4.99 a month, following a 10-day trial. It includes a curated collection of hundreds of premium apps and games, and it will include a family plan. Some of the games include Marvel Pinball, Stardew Valley, Monument Valley, Threes, Ticket to Ride and Elmo Loves 123s.
Insider Take:
Apple and Google have both taken a keen interest in gaming, and they want a piece of the subscription gaming action that companies like Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have been getting since launching their own services. Subscriptions are the latest trend for games, whether for consoles, PCs or smart devices. With a subscription, a gamer doesnt have to make a long-term commitment or a pricey purchase until they are sure if they want a game. They get to try and play many games, making discovery of new developers and games easier. The subscriptions are also more affordable for a young audience. They seem to be the best of both worlds – consistent revenue for subscription companies and affordable variety for gamers.
