The question of whetherApple Arcadeis worth it is up to the individual. There are pros and cons to the game subscription service like there are with any other. The increased popularity of game subscription services though is what makes the question aboutApple Arcadeworth asking. The subscription does come with a few shiny features but there is a lot to go through when thinking about using it beyond just its games.
While the games that Apple Arcade features are entertaining, they should not necessarily be the only motivation to get a subscription. Apple has a myriad of services across its devices and this has resulted in many of them being bundled and priced together. Thoroughly exploring the options of the service is important to make an educated decision.
RELATED:Apple Made Over $100 Million from Fortnite Being on the App Store
How Much Does Apple Arcade Cost?
With a first-month free trial, Apple Arcade does provide a buffer for individuals that may not get what they expected. After the first month though the price is currently set at $4.99 per month. There is a similar deal for interested users that purchase a new Apple device. If that device qualifies as part of the promotion, they can receive three months free before there is a need to start the $4.99 a month subscription.
While this helps to mitigate some of the cost it is still important to consider what games are available. Everyone has their wants when it comes to subscription services and there is no real thing as one size fits all. Because of this a different subscription model or service, likePS Now, might be best for some people.
Bundles for Apple Arcade
For Apple users that find themselves using multiple different Apple services, a straightforward plan is probably not the best option from a financial standpoint. Hands down the most efficient subscription would be an Apple bundle. There are Individual, Family, and Premier bundles all priced at $14.95, $19.95, and $29.95, respectively. While both the Family and Individual bundles share the same products, the Individual plan comes with 50 gigs of iCloud storage space while the Family comes with 200.
The Premier plan breaks away from the two other plans in a couple of ways. It does allow the subscription to be shared with up to five people as the Family plan does but it also includes 2 terabytes of iCloud storage versus 200 gigs. It also has access to other features like Apple TV+,whereMythic QuestSeason 2 has started, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade like the others but adds News+ and Fitness+ to the bundle as well. This can be great for individuals or families that need more storage or just see themselves using these features more.
The price of each of the subscription bundles can still feel steep though. While individuals that do want it all, can get it, there are a lot of different subscriptions in the world right now. From Netflix toXbox Game Passto Spotify it feels like companies want a continued flow of money from consumers and another subscription can feel like a lot even for under five dollars a month.
Where to Play Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade’s system diversity is what can help it stand out from others even if its price might not. With the Apple family of electronics featuring the Mac, Apple TV, iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone there is a lot of ways to play games. It has been reported thatApple is working on a Nintendo Switch-like deviceand it is probably safe to guess that it will also have Apple Arcade support. This would up the number of ways that people can enjoy games from five to six.
Some of these forms of play do have limitations though. There are games likeFruit Ninja Classic+, Backgammon+, Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition+, and Mahjong Titan+that are exclusive to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The rough part is that those are only a few from the list. Similarly, there are some games that are only accessible on Apple TV and require a controller.
Hopefully, with the rumors that a hybrid console is in development at Apple, these hurdles can be jumped over. It might even be possible that current tenselegal arguments between Apple and Epiccould be set aside so fans could enjoyFortniteon the new device. How it works and if the device is real remains to be confirmed though.
RELATED:Fortnite’s Questionable Peel Skin Finds Its Way Into Courtroom During Epic Vs. Apple Case
New Games on Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade does tout some positive aspects which not every subscription service can do. While it might shock some people, Apple Arcade is not very barebones. The arcade is relatively fleshed out and has ports of many high-profile titles. The service boasts a sizeable library that features over 180 games. While this does include some revived classics likeCut the Rope Remasteredit also hasNBA 2K21 Arcade Additionand a beautiful take on the classic gameOregon Trail.
This is made even more enticing by the fact that Apple Arcade is constantly trying to expand its library. While it is still growing it seems like future plans revolve around the service becoming strong enough to compete with other industry titans. This could make right now a great time to get familiar with the service asApple Arcade continues to bring in new titles.
Playing Games Without Apple Arcade
While some gamers may want to revisit old titles in the future not being able to own even a digital copy means that all future play sessions of a game are reliant on a service. This reliance might not be a deal-breaker for everyone but it is worth taking into consideration as it is a reality for almost all subscription services including Apple Arcade. The upside is that in some instances games can also become obtainable elsewhere likeSkate Citywhich recently released on consoles and PC.
Yes or No to Apple Arcade
The possibility of rotated or unsupported games should not be treated as some sort of boogeyman though. If anything, it should be seen as a rounding element. Any subscription service that someone chooses, for games especially, is going to have glaring lists of pros and cons.
What is most important when considering subscription services is one’s personal preference. If someone wants to get a taste of a lot of different titles, like puzzle games and finger tap beat titles, then Apple Arcade can be a great choice. For mobile gamers, Apple Arcade is a no-brainer. If the focus is more on things likeHaloorAssassin’s Creedthen the money for a subscription would probably be better spent elsewhere in the market.
MORE:Every Major Streaming Service Available In The US, Ranked (And How Much They Cost)
