Apple is highlighting independent game developers through its App Store Indie Games Week, bringing several popular titles to iPhone and iPad. Among the biggest announcements is No Man’s Sky, the space exploration and survival game developed by Hello Games, which is scheduled to launch on Apple’s mobile devices on 28 October.
The event also features several other independent games, including Sifu, Vampire Crawlers and Dome Keeper. The initiative aims to showcase the range of creative experiences available to Apple users, from action-packed adventures to strategy games and smaller, experimental titles.
No Man’s Sky brings space exploration to Apple mobile devices
The iPhone and iPad versions of No Man’s Sky followed the game’s 2023 arrival on Mac. According to Hello Games co-founder Sean Murray, the idea of bringing the game to an iPhone emerged after the studio successfully adapted it for Apple’s desktop platform. A member of the development team believed the game could also run on an iPhone, prompting further work on the mobile version.
The upcoming release includes the major updates No Man’s Sky has received over the past decade. Players can explore planets, discover unfamiliar environments, and experience the game’s survival mechanics on compatible Apple devices. However, some features will be missing at launch. Multiplayer gameplay and settlements won’t be available on iOS or iPadOS at launch, reflecting limitations similar to those present when the game first arrived on the original Nintendo Switch.
Hello Games has since added features to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, suggesting the mobile release could receive similar improvements over time. Murray indicated that the studio would use player feedback and engagement to guide future development. “Based on feedback and player numbers, we will similarly support iOS,” he said.
The mobile edition also features redesigned touch controls intended to make the complex game easier to operate on smaller screens. Players will have additional ways to interact with the game, including controller support and TV casting. On iPad, the release will also support mouse and keyboard input, giving players an alternative to a more traditional control setup.
Storage requirements are another important consideration for mobile users. No Man’s Sky will take up less than 5GB of storage on iPhone and iPad, a relatively compact footprint for a game of its scale. Hello Games has also worked to ensure that the title runs on a wider range of Apple hardware rather than limiting it to the newest devices.
“A lot of PC and console games, if they can make the jump to mobile at all, are confined to the very latest iOS devices, but we are super-proud that we have been able to make No Man’s Sky playable on iPhone 11 and 3rd generation iPad Air and above,” Murray said.
Pre-orders open on 12 October, with the official release scheduled for 28 October. Players can try the game for free, letting them experience the mobile adaptation before deciding whether to keep playing.
Sifu, Vampire Crawlers and other indie games join the event
No Man’s Sky isn’t the only established title getting attention during Indie Games Week. Sifu, the martial arts action game developed by Sloclap, is also available on iPhone and iPad. The game centres on a character seeking revenge, with an unusual mechanic that causes the protagonist to grow older each time they die.
The mobile version includes a redesigned camera system and touch controls adapted for smaller screens. These changes matter because Sifu relies on precise timing, rapid reactions, and carefully executed combat moves. The game’s performance on newer Apple hardware suggests that demanding action titles can translate effectively to mobile when their controls and presentation are properly adapted.
Vampire Crawlers is another featured release, offering a strategic, card-based take on the gameplay of Vampire Survivors. Rather than focusing solely on fast-paced action, it takes a more tactical approach, requiring players to consider their available cards and make decisions during encounters. Its performance on iPhone is reported to be comparable to its Xbox version, though it’s less demanding than a large-scale game like No Man’s Sky.
Dome Keeper is also included. The roguelite combines mining with tower defence, requiring players to gather resources while protecting their base from incoming threats. Its blend of exploration, resource management and defensive strategy provides a different experience from the combat-focused titles featured in the event.
Apple is also drawing attention to several games already available on its mobile platforms. These include Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall, the strategy game 9 Kings, and the adventure title Little Kitty, Big City. All three are available for iPhone and iPad, giving players additional options during the celebration.
Beyond individual releases, App Store editors have selected further independent games for users to discover. Apple has also prepared a separate guide featuring indie titles designed to run on Mac, extending the initiative beyond mobile devices. The selection highlights the variety of experiences independent studios create, including narrative adventures, strategy games, and projects that experiment with established genres.
Apple highlights the role of independent game developers
Indie Games Week reflects Apple’s effort to give independent developers greater visibility across its digital storefront. Unlike major publishers with large marketing budgets, smaller studios often rely on platform features, recommendations and community interest to reach new audiences. A dedicated event gives them a chance to introduce their games to players who might otherwise overlook them.
Carson Oliver, Apple’s head of App Store Worldwide, said the company wanted to recognise the creativity and experimentation that independent teams bring to the industry.
“Indie games are constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity to deliver unique gameplay experiences to Apple users, and we wanted to take a moment to celebrate these games and the teams that take creative risks to push gaming forward,” Oliver said.
He also highlighted the App Store’s role in helping developers reach audiences worldwide. “Whether from a solo developer or a growing studio, the App Store gives bold ideas a global stage — turning daring visions into worldwide hits,” he said.
Oliver added that the company was pleased with the games launching during the event, praising their artistic quality, design and storytelling. His comments underline Apple’s broader message that independent development remains an important source of new ideas in gaming, regardless of the size of the studio behind a release.
No Man’s Sky’s arrival is particularly notable because it shows mobile gaming continuing to expand beyond titles originally designed for smartphones. Adapting a large exploration game to mobile hardware requires developers to balance performance, storage, controls, and compatibility while preserving the core experience.
The other featured releases demonstrate a different side of the independent games market, with smaller-scale projects exploring distinctive mechanics and visual styles. Together, the titles give Apple users a broader selection of games to explore across iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Although the initial absence of multiplayer and settlements limits some aspects of No Man’s Sky, future updates could expand the experience depending on player response. Its 28 October launch will provide a clearer indication of how the game performs on Apple’s mobile platforms and whether Hello Games can bring more features to those devices over time.
