Apple Arcade Gets Green Light For September 19 Launch

In line with the launch of the new iPhone, Apple also indulged its loyal followers with the advent of the Apple Arcade as Cupertino's take on the growing gaming subscription service.

According Apple's official statement, Apple Arcade will be launched in more than 150 countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, on September 19 alongside the iOS 13 for players to have an “all-new way to enjoy games without limits.”

With a subscription fee of $4.99 per month, future users of Apple Arcade will get unlimited access to over 100 “new, exclusive games,” and will be playable on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV.

“Apple Arcade games can all be played offline, and a single subscription includes access for up to six family members with Family Sharing,” the statement added.

The gaming subscription will also be launched with a one month free trial and should come packing with more than 100 titles “in the coming weeks,” plus more games to come every month.

The Verge reported that Apple delighted the crowd with a couple of Arcade exclusive demos, including Konami's Frogger in Toy Town and a new Shinsekai: Into the Depths, courtesy of Capcom.

Sayonara Wild Hearts, an artistic rhythm game published by Annapurna Interactive and developed by Sweden-based Simogo, was likewise teased, but the game will be one of the “rare nonexclusive” titles from Apple Arcade considering it will also be released on the Nintendo Switch.

Cnet cited that Apple is taking on a different route with the announcement of Arcade. The outlet's article on the topic said that Arcade subscribers will download the service on their chosen device instead of the normal game streaming process.

Apple Arcade will also support Xbox Wireless Controllers with Bluetooth, DualShock 4, Mfi and of course, Siri Remote's touch controls, to give players more “varied gameplay.”

The company listed 15 exclusive games that will make their debut on Apple Arcade, including Gameloft's Ballistic Baseball; post-apocalyptic road trip Overland by Finji; Bandai Namco's Pac-Man Party Royal; Rayman Mini from Ubisoft and the Cartoon Network original, Steven Universe: Unleash the Light.

Apple's Newsroom statement pointed that Arcade will grace the iPadOS and tvOS 13 on September 30 and the macOS Catalina by October. Also, Apple Arcade will enable parents to monitor their kids' gaming screen time, plus subscribers won't be bother with pop-up ads “or pay extra for add-ons or game updates.”