Apple Arcade: A Double-Edged Sword for Mobile Game Developers
Apple Arcade, while offering a platform for mobile game developers, has reportedly generated significant frustration among its creators. A Mobilegamer.biz report reveals widespread discontent stemming from various operational issues.
Developer Concerns Highlight Platform Shortcomings
The "Inside Apple Arcade" report paints a picture of disillusionment. Developers cite delayed payments, inadequate technical support, and poor game discoverability as major pain points. Significant delays in payment, in some cases stretching up to six months, have jeopardized the financial stability of several studios. One developer described the process of securing a deal with Apple as "difficult and long," further compounding the frustration. Communication with Apple has also proven problematic, with developers reporting weeks or even months of silence before receiving responses, if any. Technical support, when received, is often characterized as unhelpful or lacking in specific knowledge.
Discoverability issues are equally troubling. Some developers feel their games have been effectively ignored, with limited or no promotion from Apple, leading to a lack of player engagement despite exclusivity contracts. The rigorous quality assurance (QA) process, requiring the submission of thousands of screenshots to cover all device aspects and languages, is also viewed as excessively burdensome.
A Mixed Bag: Acknowledging Both Positives and Negatives
Despite the numerous criticisms, some developers acknowledge a shift towards a more focused approach from Apple Arcade over time and recognize the value of Apple's financial backing, which has been crucial to the survival of several studios. However, the overarching sentiment suggests a lack of understanding from Apple regarding gamer preferences and engagement with the platform.
The report concludes that Apple Arcade lacks a clear strategy, appearing more like an afterthought within the broader Apple ecosystem rather than a fully integrated and supported initiative. Developers feel undervalued, treated as a "necessary evil" rather than valued partners. The lack of data sharing regarding player behavior further underscores this perceived disconnect.
