Apple acquires its first game studio as it reportedly plans to launch new games app

Apple has officially acquired two-person indie studio RAC7, with plans to announce a new gaming-focused app to replace Game Center around the time of the Nintendo Switch 2's launch.

The details:

• An Apple spokesperson confirmed to Digital Trends that the company has acquired RAC7, the developer of 2019 Apple Arcade title Sneaky Sasquatch. The two-person studio will continue to operate internally, but the iPhone manufacturer clarified that the acquisition was a "unique circumstance" and that the deal does not necessarily signal the start of a plan to expand further into the gaming industry.

• Despite Apple's claims, Bloomberg reports that the company plans to launch a new dedicated gaming app later this year. The app will be pre-installed on all future Apple devices, replacing the Game Center, which was introduced in 2010. Bloomberg states that the new app will include a centralized in-game achievement system, leaderboards, communication features, and more. Apple Arcade will also be integrated in some form, with editorial pieces highlighting games from both the service and the App Store.

• It is claimed that Apple intends to release the app as part of iOS 19, with a reveal on June 9 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, followed by a September release.

• In recent years, Apple has attempted to break into the more hardcore gaming space, releasing ports of AAA franchises such as Death Stranding, Resident Evil, and Assassin's Creed for higher-end iOS devices. Despite their impressive performance and visuals, the mobile ports have performed poorly commercially, with Resident Evil 2 Remake estimated to have sold fewer than 10,000 units.

More gaming news:

• Square Enix has settled its lawsuit with publisher HK Tree Top after the latter was accused of using stolen assets from a previously cancelled Front Mission reboot in its new game.

• Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is officially coming to Nintendo Switch 2, but the game will be physically released on a Game-Key Card, requiring a download.