Apple holds a dominant position in mobile gaming due to the widespread use of the iPhone, but its share in the desktop market remains small. However, Apple has significant plans for 2024, indicating a renewed focus on gaming. Let's explore what's coming.
Historical Context
Over the years, Apple has made several attempts to improve its standing in gaming, particularly for the Mac. Notably, in 2000, Microsoft acquired "Halo," a key title that had been under Apple's purview. Since then, Apple's efforts to enhance Mac gaming have mostly been inconsistent and less impactful.
However, the launch of Apple Silicon in 2019 signaled a potential shift. Since then, there have been signs that Apple is serious about gaming this time.
Recent Developments
Apple has been emphasizing the gaming capabilities of its MacBooks, particularly since the debut of the Apple Silicon M3 generation in 2023. At the June World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple announced several initiatives to strengthen its presence in the gaming sector, all leveraging the Apple Silicon ecosystem.
Key announcements included:
- New AAA Games: High-profile titles such as Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows, 11 Bit Studios' Frostpunk 2, Capcom's Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, and PocketPair's Palworld were announced for Apple platforms. These games have started rolling out, with more expected in the second half of 2024.
- Game Mode: Initially available only on macOS, Game Mode will soon be available on iOS and iPadOS. This feature helps games run at full capacity, providing higher and more consistent frame rates.
- Personalized Spatial Audio: Enhancements to audio experiences in games.
- Mac App Store Improvements: Enhancements for macOS Sequoia.
- Game Porting Toolkit 2: A new toolkit to make it easier for developers to port games from Windows to macOS.
- Unified Gaming Platform: Encouraging developers to view the Apple ecosystem as a single platform rather than three separate ones.
Apple's Market Position
Apple's current gaming market share remains unclear, as the company does not release specific statistics. However, it is well-known that Apple commands the mobile gaming space worldwide. According to data from S&P Global in 2022, Apple generated $14.8 billion in annual gaming revenue, ranking second behind Tencent and ahead of Alphabet and Sony, notably surpassing Nintendo.
Apple's gaming revenue primarily stems from mobile gaming, driven by commissions on downloads and in-app purchases. However, Apple has historically lagged behind PCs in gaming revenue. The company's recent moves, especially those announced at WWDC 2024, indicate a push to close this gap.
Upcoming Game Releases
- Assassin's Creed Shadows: Set to release on Mac on November 15, simultaneously with PC and other consoles.
- Frostpunk 2: Originally scheduled for July, now set for a September 20 release on Apple and other platforms, with preorders available on the App Store.
- Palworld and Control: Ultimate Edition: Expected to release on Apple platforms at undetermined dates in 2024.
Notable Omissions
The WWDC showcase did not feature anything related to Apple Vision Pro, suggesting that developers do not currently prioritize this device. Additionally, while AI (referred to as Apple Intelligence) was a significant part of the WWDC keynote, it was not emphasized in the context of gaming, indicating that AI's role in gaming is still on the horizon.
What This Means
AAA game developers are showing interest in Apple's new strategy, indicating potential in developing for Apple platforms. However, whether the gaming public will embrace this shift in large numbers remains to be seen.
Recent high-profile games like Death Stranding and Assassin's Creed Mirage have underperformed in the App Store. The true test for Apple will be whether better games and increased developer interest can help close the gap in the gaming market.
Conclusion
Apple's recent initiatives and announcements suggest that the company is making a concerted effort to become a significant player in the gaming industry. The success of these efforts will depend on the reception from both developers and the gaming community.
