
Is Apple Eyeing Unity? Analyst Sparks Speculation
2025-06-02
Author: Ken Lee
In the aftermath of Apple’s legal loss to Epic Games, the tech giant is making surprising moves to regain ground in the mobile gaming sphere, which has been heavily impacted by the court ruling. The verdict restricts Apple from collecting fees on purchases made outside the App Store, forcing a shift in their traditional business model.
In a swift response, Apple purchased RAC7, a small game studio known for 'Sneaky Sasquatch,' marking its first foray into game development. Additionally, reports suggest that Apple is gearing up to launch a dedicated gaming app, set to be preinstalled across all its devices, including iPhones and Macs, later this year.
Analyst Speculation Unleashed!
Industry analyst Joost van Dreunen, dubbed the "Video Games Professor," is now speculating that Apple might target a more ambitious acquisition: Unity Technologies. Unity is the powerhouse behind the Unity engine, which currently supports over 70% of mobile games and has been integrated into Apple Vision Pro.
Van Dreunen suggests that acquiring Unity would not only eliminate a rival but also provide Apple with the tools to enhance its mobile game development and monetization capabilities. This move could potentially undercut Epic Games and strengthen Apple’s foothold in the gaming market.
A Valuable Opportunity?
Furthermore, van Dreunen points out that payment platforms like Xsolla pose a growing threat by facilitating game makers’ direct sales to consumers. By investing in more options for content creators, Apple could create a win-win situation for both users and itself.
Interestingly, Unity’s market cap sits at approximately $8.9 billion—a significant drop from $56 billion during its peak in the pandemic. For Apple, with its staggering $3 trillion valuation, this acquisition could represent a historic purchase, eclipsing even the $3 billion acquisition of Beats.
A Cautionary Note
However, it’s essential to treat van Dreunen’s suggestions as speculative. He himself has described the notion as "spicy," highlighting that this is more of a conversation starter than a concrete plan. Currently, neither Apple nor Unity has commented on this speculation, leaving us all wondering what Apple's next strategy will be in the relentlessly competitive mobile gaming arena.