GameClub
GameClub app running on an iPhone XR
DeveloperGameClub Inc.
Key peopleDan Sherman, Oliver Pedersen, Britt Myers, Eli Hodapp
TypeSubscription gaming service
Launch dateOctober 25, 2019
Operating system(s)iOS, Android
StatusActive
Pricing modelUS$4.99 per month
WebsiteOfficial website

GameClub is a video game subscription service for iOS and Android devices. The service primarily offers games that were previously delisted from app stores or are no longer actively maintained by their original developers, updated to support newer devices and software.[1] They have since expanded to releasing mobile ports of games available for PC and console.[2]

History

GameClub was first revealed on March 5, 2019, with an early access program starting shortly after on March 12, 2019. During this period, game betas would be distributed weekly through TestFlight.[3][4]

GameClub officially launched on October 25, 2019 for iOS users, alongside a standalone GameClub application, which acts as a hub for the catalogue of titles available and provides details about each game.[5] The following week, Minigore was revealed to be the first game available through the service to be updated with MFi controller support.

The service launched for Android on June 18, 2020, although with a smaller selection of initial games.[6] Cross-platform play between Android and iOS was also introduced to the service, starting with title Neon Shadow.[7]

On September 5, 2020, GameClub revealed they would soon be releasing mobile ports of PC and console games for the first time, as well as adding expansions to pre-existing titles.[2]

Challenges, an achievement-like feature, was revealed on October 8, 2020. Six initial games were updated to support the feature on the same day, with more titles to come. A redesigned GameClub app and dashboard were released at the same time, including challenges support and a search function.

Leagues were revealed on December 5, 2020. The tiered leaderboard system encourages players to beat other's scores in order to reach higher ranks or to prevent falling into a lower one at the end of a week. An initial eight games were updated to support the feature.[8]

On January 5, 2021, the GameClub app was updated to include a profile feature, allowing users to add friends and view player activity. The friends system is planned to be integrated into multiplayer games.

On March 23, 2023, GameClub Inc. was acquired by Take-Two Interactive, owners of fellow mobile game publisher Zynga.[9]

Games

As part of the service, all games available are free of ads and in-app purchases and each game released as part of GameClub includes a small 'trial' portion of content available for free without subscribing, often via a 10-minute timer which locks access to the game once the time has run out. Older titles have been updated to modern standards, with optimized graphics and support for newer screen sizes, as well as added support for MFi, DualShock 4 and Xbox One controllers for select titles.[10][11] Editorial content, such as game guides and development history, is also available for some games.

Family sharing is available for up to twelve people under one subscription and any games that were previously purchased before releasing under GameClub can be accessed in full without a subscription.[12]

Reception

GameClub debuted to mostly positive reviews, with reviewers citing the decisions to focus on bringing back a curated selection of older games and allowing users to keep titles they previously bought as reasons to subscribe.[13] The interface of the GameClub dashboard and hub app and were also praised, with PCMag comparing it to those of Apple. However, concerns were raised about how well the service could perform against larger competitors such as Apple Arcade.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "GameClub offers mobile gaming's greatest hits for $5 per month". Mobile Mode Gaming. October 25, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "GameClub ports 3 new PC games to its mobile subscription service". VentureBeat. September 5, 2020.
  3. ↑ "GameClub is a New Developer that's Hoping to Resurrect Long-Lost iOS Games, 'Hook Champ' Already Confirmed". TouchArcade. March 5, 2019.
  4. ↑ @Gameclub (March 11, 2019). "OK everyone! We just pushed the button to launch the early access program. If you signed up over at http://gameclub.io you should have an email in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, if you'd like to join us in Discord, we'd love to have you: https://discord.gg/gameclub" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ "GameClub Launches With Access to Dozens of Classic Games on iPhone and iPad for $4.99 Per Month". MacRumors. October 25, 2019.
  6. ↑ "GameClub brings its subscription-based gaming catalog to Android". TechCrunch. June 18, 2020.
  7. ↑ @Gameclub (June 18, 2020). "We've had a busy day today with our Android launch, but we've also got a new game for you: NEON SHADOW! Originally released by @CM_Games, this is a modern reimagination of classic first person shooters with full CROSS-PLATFORM MULTIPLAYER!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ "New "Leagues" Feature Brings High-Score Competition to GameClub's Library". TouchArcade. December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  9. ↑ Rees, Lewis; Writer, Staff (March 23, 2023). "Take-Two Interactive has acquired mobile retro-games subs service GameClub". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ @Gameclub (November 4, 2019). "This week GameClub is releasing an updated version of Hi, How Are You, a puzzle platformer that's basically a playable album by the late, great @danieljohnston. We're working on optimizing the graphics along with making it playable on modern devices! Here's the original trailer:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "The History of Controllers on iOS". GameClub. April 11, 2019.
  12. ↑ "GameClub Now Allows Up to 12 Family Members to Play Classic iOS Titles With One $4.99 Subscription". MacRumors. March 26, 2020.
  13. ↑ "GameClub Launches a Subscription Service That Revives a Growing Catalog of 70 Classic iOS Games". October 24, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Hands-on with GameClub - Apple Arcade with a retro twist". TapSmart. November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
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