Apple Prepares to Make a Serious Play in Gaming

The annual WWDC event is just around the corner, and with it, the familiar ritual of Apple's attempts to convince the gaming industry of its commitment to the sector. This time, however, there may be more substance to the company's claims, as it faces increasing pressure to open up its app ecosystem. Apple's impressive statistics on gaming hours and revenue on its platforms will likely be showcased, along with a new gaming-centric app that promises to replace the clunky Game Centre with a more streamlined game launcher. The company's recent acquisition of RAC7, a small game studio, also sends a positive signal about its commitment to gaming. While the move may not be enough to win over the traditional gaming industry, it could be a significant step towards realizing the potential of Apple's installed base of over 2.35 billion active devices. As the company prepares for the possibility of third-party app stores and game storefronts on its platforms, its strategic moves in the gaming sector may be more about preparing for the future than enticing the industry to focus on Apple platforms.