Currently, Apple is working on a marketplace similar to the App Store, but designed exclusively for games.
According to 9to5Mac, citing reliable sources, the new Apple program will actually combine the functions of the App Store and Game Center in one place (the latter will not be replaced — the game application will simply be integrated with the Game Center user profile).
The program will have several tabs: «Play Now», «My Games», «Friends Games», etc. It will also display game suggestions, challenges, leaderboards, and achievements. The marketplace will present both games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, and additionally advertise special gaming events and provide information about important updates.
Apple is also experimenting with FaceTime and iMessage integration in the new app — to allow players to communicate with each other; and is considering allowing the creation of mini-games based on App Clips.
In practice, the marketplace will work like the Xbox app for iPhone, where players can see their status, friends’ activities, search for new games, and check their game library. Presumably, Apple wants to make its devices more attractive to gamers with the new app.
Apple currently has Apple Arcade, a subscription service that provides access to several games for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. The platform is integrated with the App Store and costs $6.99 per month. With iOS 18 and macOS 15, Apple introduced new tools that help developers port Mac games to iOS.
It is unclear when Apple plans to introduce a gaming marketplace — possibly next year, with the iOS 18 update or as part of iOS 19.