In recent years, one of the trends in the gaming community has been subscription services. Operating much like streaming services such as Netflix or Prime Video, these gaming subscription services give customers access to a library of games for a price, often paid for in monthly installments. Currently, one of the most prominent of these services is Xbox's Game Pass, which has been getting a lot of attention for giving players the chance to play games they normally wouldn't try out. Similarly, Apple Arcade has been doing such for the mobile gaming market, which is great for gamers.
First launched in 2019, Apple Arcade is a video game subscription service that is available on various Apple devices via the App Store. As mentioned, the service operates similarly to Xbox Game Pass, with customers having access to a suite of games via their subscription. The service has also implemented a number of social features including achievements, leaderboards, and the ability to carry data between various devices if they are linked to the same iCloud account. Apple Arcade is a great service that has quite a lot to offer those with iOS devices.
Apple Arcade Gets Rid of the Worst Parts of Mobile Gaming
Apple Arcade definitely lacks the caliber of games offered by Game Pass, though it does include a few gems, especially when it comes to mobile versions of popular games on other platforms. The service really shines when it comes to simple games with light simulation or RPG elements. These types of games are not exactly rare when it comes to mobile titles, with most of the popular ones sharing these traits, but it is rare to see them in their basic form without the microtransactions. Usually, they are provided as free-to-play games but are simultaneously riddled with microtransactions and advertisements.
While, of course, it's a given that the games are designed to generate income for the people that worked hard on them, the kinds of money-making practices in mobile gaming often leave many with the feeling like monetization is their only purpose. These monetization strategies can often take the enjoyment out of games as players can often feel that they require too much investment. However, mobile titles are often designed in such a way that maximizes the gamer's desire to keep playing and overcoming challenges. The teams behind these games often seek to make them as addictive as possible, with players getting into a seemingly endless gameplay loop.
By removing all of these pay-to-win systems that many mobile gamers find annoying at best and predatory at worst, Apple Arcade allows its customers to focus on the actual games themselves. Without these monetization systems, customers can enjoy these games for what they are, finding a comfortable place in these addictive and fun gameplay loops. The service also has a lot of other great features, from offline gameplay to the possibility of adding accessories including third-party controllers like the Joy-Con, DualShock 4, and controllers modeled after retro gamepads.
In this way, Apple Arcade offers a great way for people who own iOS products to truly enjoy mobile gaming. Many a mobile title has received plenty of ire from fans for including an excessive amount of these types of monetization systems or even a disproportionate amount of ads. By providing gaming experiences free of these nuisances, Apple Arcade allows players to focus on the good things that these titles have to offer.