Apple removes the first batch of expired games from Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade Iphone
(Image credit: Future)

15 titles have today been removed from Apple Arcade, following confirmation last month that Apple had chosen not to renew contracts with their developers. 

MacRumors noted that games previously listed as 'Leaving Apple Arcade Soon' have now gone, just two weeks after they were first added to the section. 

Apple Arcade no more

As noted in July, Apple first added 15 games to its 'Leaving Arcade Soon' section without warning, with reports stating that an "inside source" indicated this was because Apple had signed three-year deals with a number of developers that have now since expired. The removed games are:

  •  ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree 
  •  Dead End Job
  •  Dread Nautical 
  •  Cardpocalypse 
  •  Spidersaurs 
  •  BattleSky Brigade: Harpooner 
  •  Lifeslide 
  •  Explottens 
  •  EarthNight 
  •  Don’t Bug Me! 
  •  Projection: First Light 
  •  Spelldrifter 
  •  Over the Alps 
  •  VARIOUS DAYLIFE
  •  Towaga: Among Shadows 

Sadly, if you've previously enjoyed these games on Apple Arcade then you'll no longer be able to play them through Apple's gaming service. However, there is a chance that some or indeed all of them may return to the App Store as standalone downloads, either paid or free. Apple says that it is up to developers as to whether you'll be able to pick up where you left off and retain any progress you had. 

In a support document Apple says that customers could have at least two weeks to play a game leaving Arcade before it is removed, however, it looks like that's all people are getting, at least with this first batch. If you try to launch an Arcade game that's no longer playable you'll simply receive an error message. 

Despite these departing titles, Apple Arcade remains a great way to play some top hits free of advertisements and in-app purchases for a pretty modest fee and is even better value if you include it in the Apple One bundle. 

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9