Apple has announced a new sports game franchise exclusive to Apple Arcade. Ultimate Rivals combines real-life pro athletes from hockey, basketball, football, baseball and soccer as compete across disciplines. The first title in the Ultimate Rivals franchise is Ultimate Rivals: The Rink, just in time for hockey season.
Developed by Bit Fry Game Studios, the Ultimate Rivals games feature licensed athletes from the NHL, NBA, NFL Players Association (NFLPA), MLB, WNBA and the US Women’s National Soccer Team Players Association (USWNTPA). They’ve also included retired legends – for example, Wayne Gretzky makes an appearance in The Rink.
Apple Arcade is Apple’s $4.99 per month game subscription service. Players get unlimited game play with no in-app purchases or additional charges. Games are playable on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV.
In The Rink, players play 3-on-3 games set in futuristic rinks. You put teams together featuring real-world sports stars from across the sports world – combining playing styles to create winning strategies, then taking to the ice to play. Trigger “Ultimate” moves like “The Cup” and “Wild Pitch” to provide big boosts to your athletes. The game sports 1v1 online play and a single-player mode with three levels of difficulties.
Apple said an NBA-licensed basketball game is coming in the spring, Ultimate Rivals: The Court.