Apple Arcade: New game subscription service for iPhones, iPads and Mac to 'redefine games'

Ann Thai, senior product marketing manager of the App Store at Apple, unveils Apple Arcade at the Steve Jobs Theater on March 25, 2019 in Cupertino, California ( Getty Images )

Apple has unveiled its widely-rumoured game subscription service, hailed as the "Netflix of games". 

Designed for mobile devices, desktop computers and “living room” devices, Apple Arcade, will "redefine games", the tech giant claimed, adding that will be curated on originality, quality and creativity.  

However, the price and release date still remain a mystery.

The iPhone maker said it was working with Walt Disney, Sega and Annapurna Interactive on the new game service, which will feature more than 100 new titles that will be accessed through a tab in the App Store and will work on iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

It will not have adverts or additional purchases and will let parents manage screen time. The service will be available this autumn in more than 150 countries.

After the announcement shares in game publishers Electronic Arts and Take-Two went down 1 per cent, while Activision Blizzard slipped 0.5 per cent.

Mobile game maker Zynga’s shares were down nearly 1 per cent and those of video games retailer GameStop fell nearly 3 per cent.

Apple Arcade subscribers will get to play more than 100 games, curated by the company itself and they will available to download and play offline. They will be exclusive to the company's service. 

All will allow unlimited play and will have no in-app purchases, which are common on mobile games. ]

Although many mobile games are given out for free, players can rack up hundreds of pounds for optional extras such as virtual weapons.

Apple also announced the launch of it's new video streaming service, unveiled a premium subscription tier to its News app, and announced it would release its own credit card, called Apple Card (Getty Images)

The Arcade subscription is part of a series of announcements Apple is making at its headquarters in Cupertino, California to emphasise paid services on its devices.

Google announced its own video game streaming service last week. That service focuses more on traditional video games, though it will also allow games to be played on phones and tablets.

Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing said the games "will be great for families, respect user privacy and will not have ads or require any additional purchases.”

Additional reporting from agencies