Apple is said to be working on a new games app that seamlessly integrates Facetime and iMessage. This app could further improve the gaming experience on iPhones by offering features such as real-time communication and friend interactions.
The most important facts in brief
- The app is expected to be released with iOS 18 or 19.
- It combines functions from the App Store and the Game Center.
- Apple plans to integrate content from the App Store and Apple Arcade.
- The aim is to make the iPhone even more attractive for gamers.
A new era of gaming for Apple users
According to a recent report by 9to5mac, Apple is currently developing a special games app that facilitates communication between gamers via Facetime and iMessage. This could be an exciting innovation for gamers looking for real-time interactions with friends in their games. This app, which will probably be built in the style of the App Store, will integrate the existing Game Center profiles without replacing the Game Center itself. Interestingly, it could also offer features such as leaderboards, achievements and game challenges to enhance the gaming experience.
Apple Facetime and iMessage as gaming tools
A special feature of the new app is the deep integration of Facetime and iMessage, which means that gamers can not only chat during their games, but also make video calls. This development makes the iPhone an even more attractive device for gamers and provides a seamless platform for social interaction. A similar concept already exists in the Xbox iPhone app, but the tech company seems to be going its own way here, specifically tailored to its in-house services and games.
The new games app could include games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, which would expand the range enormously. The Arcade app is already very popular with a monthly subscription of €6.99 and offers a wide selection of games available on iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TVs. It remains to be seen whether the new games app will become part of a separate subscription or whether the tech company is aiming for other monetization models.
When is the new games app for Apple coming?
It is still unclear when Apple will launch the games app on the market. Some reports point to a major update for iOS 18, while others suggest that it will only appear with iOS 19. What is clear, however, is that Apple is working on further strengthening the iPhone as a gaming platform and adding innovative functions that emphasize social interactions. The company definitely needs to do this. After all, Apple is currently struggling with rather sluggish sales figures for its current iPhone 16 (from €892.00).
