Apple consolidates iOS gaming features in new Games app

Published: Monday, June 9, 2025 at 6:01 pm

**Apple Launches New Games App for iOS, Consolidating Gaming Experience**

Apple has announced a new Games app for iOS, aiming to streamline the gaming experience for its users. Unveiled at the Worldwide Developer Conference, the app, according to Apple Senior Director of Marketplace Platforms and Technologies Ann Thai, is designed to enhance how users interact with their games.

A key feature of the new app is the "Play Together" tab. This section provides a snapshot of what games friends are currently playing on iOS. It also integrates a new "Challenges" feature. This allows game developers to create score-based competitions within single-player games, fostering social interaction among friends. This feature complements the existing leaderboards available through iOS's Game Center, offering a new avenue for competitive play.

Beyond social features, the Games app consolidates functionalities previously dispersed across Game Center and the App Store. The Home tab will highlight games with recent updates, time-sensitive in-game events, and recommendations for new games. A Library tab will provide a centralized location for all downloaded iOS games, simplifying access for users. The Apple Arcade tab will continue to showcase available games for subscribers. The app is designed to be user-friendly, supporting both portrait and landscape modes and offering controller navigation.

BNN's Perspective:

Apple's move to consolidate its gaming features into a single app appears to be a logical step in improving the user experience. By centralizing game discovery, social interaction, and library management, Apple is making it easier for users to engage with their favorite games and discover new ones. The addition of the "Challenges" feature is a welcome addition, as it encourages social interaction and adds a new layer of competition. While the impact on the gaming landscape remains to be seen, this move has the potential to boost engagement and further solidify Apple's position in the mobile gaming market.

Keywords:

Apple, iOS, Games app, gaming, Play Together, Challenges, Game Center, App Store, Apple Arcade, mobile gaming, social features, game updates, game recommendations, game library, controller support

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