Apple, usually cautious with acquisitions, just made a surprising move by acquiring RAC7, the two-person Canadian studio behind the popular Apple Arcade hit Sneaky Sasquatch. This marks Apple’s first-ever game studio acquisition, a decision Apple describes as a “unique circumstance,” not a shift in its broader gaming strategy. It clearly shows Apple’s dedication to its Apple Arcade service and helping a standout title grow.
RAC7, though small, has a solid track record, including indie favorites like Dark Echo and the Apple Design Award-winning Splitter Critters. But Sneaky Sasquatch, launched in 2019, truly put them on the map. It quickly became a fan favorite on Apple Arcade, consistently receiving updates and drawing in players. Even Apple’s own Alex Rofman, Senior Director for Apple Arcade, previously highlighted Sneaky Sasquatch as a major success, citing its global appeal.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the deal: “We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the 2-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue their work on it with us. We will continue to deliver a great experience for Apple Arcade players with hundreds of games from many of the best game developers in the world.” This means RAC7 will now operate as an internal Apple studio, focusing squarely on enhancing Sneaky Sasquatch for Apple Arcade subscribers.
While acquiring a two-person team might seem minor for Apple, it’s a smart move to secure a proven hit for its $6.99/month subscription service. Apple maintains this acquisition isn’t a new aggressive gaming strategy or a move into game publishing like Netflix or Amazon.
Instead, Apple reiterates its commitment to working with a diverse range of third-party studios, big and small, to enrich the Apple Arcade library. The service continues to get monthly updates, adding new titles like a Katamari Damacy game, a Space Invaders sequel, and the Apple Vision Pro exclusive Gears & Goo, underlining Apple’s ongoing investment in its gaming platform.
(via Digital Trends)
