In a rare and surprising move, Apple has made its first-ever acquisition of a video game studio, purchasing RAC7—the two-person team behind the Apple Arcade hit Sneaky Sasquatch. The acquisition marks a unique step for the tech giant, traditionally known for relying on third-party developers rather than acquiring them.
Apple makes a rare acquisition in gaming
Apple confirmed that the RAC7 team is now officially part of the company, stating that it is excited to continue supporting the development of Sneaky Sasquatch. The quirky, open-world adventure game debuted in 2019 and went on to become an Apple Arcade Game of the Year winner. With this acquisition, Apple aims to further enhance the game’s experience exclusively within Apple Arcade.
Despite speculation, Apple has clarified that this move does not represent a new long-term strategy of acquiring indie studios en masse. According to the company, the situation was “unique,” driven by the desire to help RAC7 expand the game more deeply within its ecosystem.
Apple Arcade may not see a wave of acquisitions
While this acquisition may raise hopes among other small studios, Apple has been clear that it will continue prioritizing partnerships with both big and small third-party developers. The precedent, however, has been set: a standout title on Apple Arcade could open doors to deeper collaboration—or even acquisition.
Apple Arcade, priced at $6.99/month or included in the Apple One bundle, gives access to over 200 ad-free games without in-app purchases, positioning itself as a curated, premium platform in the mobile gaming landscape.