Apple Acquires Sneaky Sasquatch Studio RAC7, Signaling Deeper Push into Gaming
Apple has officially confirmed its acquisition of RAC7, the two-person studio behind the popular Apple Arcade exclusive, Sneaky Sasquatch. The move, confirmed by an Apple spokesperson to CNET, suggests a potential deepening of Apple’s involvement in the burgeoning mobile gaming market.
RAC7 originally launched Sneaky Sasquatch on Apple Arcade in 2019 and has consistently delivered updates to the beloved title since. The game’s success was further cemented in 2020 when it was awarded Apple Arcade Game of the Year.
RAC7 Acquisition is a Strategic Move for Apple Arcade Growth
According to a report by Digital Trends, which first broke the news of the acquisition, Apple views this purchase as a strategic move to support the growth and development of Sneaky Sasquatch within the Apple Arcade ecosystem. The report also indicated that Apple intends to maintain its collaborative relationships with third-party studios to continue expanding the Apple Arcade library.
While the acquisition of a game studio by Apple might seem unconventional to some, it aligns with a growing trend among companies with gaming subscription services. Netflix Games, for instance, owns several gaming studios, including Spry Fox (Cozy Grove) and Night School Studio (Oxenfree). Similarly, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios boasts a vast portfolio of developers, including industry giants like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda.
Capitalising on the Lucrative Mobile Gaming Market
The move is hardly surprising given the immense profitability of the mobile gaming sector. With Apple already possessing a direct channel to consumers through its Apple Arcade subscription service, a more direct investment in game development appears to be a logical step towards capitalising on this lucrative industry.
This acquisition could signal a broader ambition for Apple in the gaming space, potentially leading to more first-party developed titles in the future. For Apple Arcade subscribers, this news likely means continued support and evolution for Sneaky Sasquatch, and potentially the emergence of new and innovative gaming experiences directly from Apple’s own studios.
