The Machines is a technical marvel that serves as one of the best showcases for AR technology on mobile. Transforming your dining room table into a high-fidelity, post-apocalyptic warzone is an experience that still feels like magic. The level of detail—using 4K textures and over a million polygons—is staggering, putting it on par with some console titles. It’s not just a tech demo, though; the gameplay is a legitimate strategy experience that requires spatial awareness and quick thinking.
Moving your body to get a better angle on the battlefield is a core mechanic that adds a physical layer to the strategy. You can’t just sit back; you need to scout enemy towers and line up skill shots by physically moving your phone. While the player base for multiplayer can be small at times, the polish and innovation present here make it a must-try for any strategy enthusiast with a capable AR device. It remains one of the most immersive uses of augmented reality to date.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 1.6.3Thu Jan 14 2021
• Fixed a crash when trying to add new friends on iOS 14
Requires iOS 12.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (9.7‑inch), iPad Pro (9.7‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (5th generation), iPad (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5‑inch), iPad Pro (10.5‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation), iPad (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch), iPad Pro (11‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation), iPad (7th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (8th generation), iPad (8th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th generation), iPad mini (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th generation), iPad (9th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (A17 Pro) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (A16), iPad (A16) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M3), iPad Air 11-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M5), iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, and iPod touch (7th generation).**As featured in the Apple Keynote**
“The Machines may be Apple's most impressive augmented-reality showcase yet” - Eurogamer
“If you've only got enough money to spend on one AR game, then I'd probably make it this one.” - Pocket Gamer
“The Machines is a perfect example of the future of AR” - Macworld
“A must have ARKit game—Highly recommended and definitely worth its asking price!” - AR Critic
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In The Machines, battle your friends in a breathtaking augmented reality world. Experience 3D sound, graphics, and gameplay like never before.
Use powerful abilities and perspective-based tactics to destroy your enemy's base and climb the global leaderboard.
Victory or defeat depends on your skills, strategic thinking, and ability to maneuver yourself and your troops in battle.
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VISUALLY STUNNING
The Machines uses advanced technology to push the boundaries of visual fidelity. The battlefield has over 1.2 million polygons and uses 4k assets and physics-based rendering to bring you a beautifully immersive game.
3D SPATIAL AUDIO
Your position in the real world affects the audio you hear. Move closer for louder action or disappear behind a rock and audio bounces off, just like in real life.
PERSPECTIVE-BASED GAMING
Your physical position is the competitive edge in this augmented reality battlefield. Use super weapons and abilities tactically by aiming your phone and adjusting your position.
COMPETETIVE MULTIPLAYER
Claim your place at the top of the global leaderboards by defeating foes around the world. Outwit your opponents with balanced, strategic gameplay. A single player training mode is also available to gain experience.
FRIEND BATTLES
Add friends via a unique invite link and challenge them directly to battle! Play against each other on the same table or anywhere in the world. See who is the champion on your friends leaderboard.
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The Machines is a pioneering AR strategy game that turns any flat surface into a high-octane warzone. Utilizing over 1.2 million polygons and 4K assets, it offers some of the most advanced visuals in mobile AR. Players command powerful mechs and units in competitive multiplayer battles, where their physical movement around the battlefield is a core mechanic—allowing them to aim abilities and scout enemy positions by moving their device in real space.
Console-quality AR graphics with 4K assets
3D Spatial Audio reactive to player position
Competitive online multiplayer
Movement-based tactical gameplay
Physics-based rendering for immersive environments
Find a well-lit flat surface. Scan the area to project the industrial warzone. Move your phone closer to the 'table' to zoom in on units, or walk around it to get a flank view of the enemy's base.
Select your Machines and deploy them to capture towers. Use your physical perspective to line up skill shots and super abilities, taking advantage of the 3D spatial audio to hear where the action is happening.
No, The Machines features online multiplayer allowing you to battle players across the world in AR.