Apple Arcade FAQ: What is it, What’s included and How Much?

Apple Arcade is Apple’s response to the recent announcement of Google’s streaming service, Stadia. Stadia is a cloud-based streaming service, aimed to out-shine video game consoles. So what is the Apple Arcade and has it got anything on Stadia?

What is Apple Arcade?

Apple Arcade differs from Google’s Stadia because it allows offline capabilities. Meaning you can download the games you are playing and play them anywhere at any time. Stadia requires a good internet connection to play triple-A titles and they won’t let you download them for later.

The best way to describe Apple Arcade is an all you can eat buffet with video games instead of plates of food. The purpose of Apple Arcade is to reduce the average spend of an entire household. This is because the arcade includes access for up to six family members, so they allow everyone in on the fun!

The best way I can describe this service is to think of Netflix but for video games. Netflix allows multiple members of your family to access content on multiple accounts. It remembers everything you’ve watched and you can pick up where you left off on other devices. Meaning Apple Arcade is designed for you to plonk your butt down and play games.

What is included?

The Apple Arcade comes with 100 groundbreaking new games where no expense has been spared regarding storytelling and intuitive design. They target the arcade for multiple platforms, including Apple TV, Mac, iPad and iPhone. Plus, there is cloud-based saving for you to jump between your devices.

Apple has joined forces with top developers to ensure that the games included in this service are, to put it bluntly, better than the rest. This service is designed to make gamers fall in love with gaming again as adverts and in-app purchases are finally being shelved. Instead of paying for each game to be advert free, you pay the subscription fee and enjoy a wealth of content.

What games are included?

As I mentioned above, there are over 100 different games being released for this platform. But if you want just a short list of the confirmed ones, then this list should help.

• Where Cards Fall – An emotional puzzler about a teen coming-of-age.
• The Pathless – A surreal mythical adventure about a hunter and an eagle trying to save the world.
• LEGO Brawls – A multiplayer builder where you battle each other to win.
• Hot Lava – The floor is lava, what more needs to be said? Play with others or by yourself if you are on the go.
• Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm – Set 1000 years before the original Oceanhorn (which was stunning). An adventure game with stunning visuals.
• Beyond a Steel Sky – Another sequel which has a good mix of adventure and puzzles.

There are many more confirmed titles from some fantastic developers. Apple Arcade will have a fantastic mix of content guaranteed to have something for everyone.

How much?

Apple has yet to show how much a subscription is for Apple Arcade. I think it’s safe to assume that covering the cost for all these developers won’t be cheap. Plus membership includes access for six, so once again expect the price to be more than a Netflix subscription.

Sam Simmons