Entering its third year as a distraction for our thumbs, Apple Arcade in 2022 matured into a vibrant destination for gamers of all ages and interests. Courting high-profile exclusives and bringing long-loved classics to the $5-a-month subscription service, Arcade delivered a steady flow of top-notch gaming action to Apple’s iPhones, iPads, Apple TV 4K set-top boxes, and Mac as the months rolled on.
There was a confidence, even a swagger, to the games and names it was able to pepper the service with, from Hollywood heroes to game development legends and storied franchises and unique indie experiments alike. It was a great year for gaming-oriented Apple hardware too, while the rumor mill continued to spin up the suggestion of expansion into an all-new space: virtual reality.
It was quite the year: join us for a trip through the highlights of Apple Arcade in 2022 — and a glimpse of the things potentially to come in 2023…
A hidden highlight
It was a slow start to 2022 for Apple Arcade. If Christmas hadn’t made you sick of parlour games, Apple Arcade’s January re-releases of Spades: Card Game+ and Hearts: Card Game + would have, as card games continued to inflate Arcade’s numbers.
