Apple Arcade: A Double-Edged Sword for Mobile Game Developers
While Apple Arcade offers a platform for mobile game developers, a recent Mobilegamer.biz report reveals widespread frustration and disillusionment among those working within the system. The report highlights significant issues impacting developers' experiences, including financial delays, inadequate technical support, and frustrating discoverability challenges.
Financial and Support Woes
Many studios cited substantial delays in payment, with one indie developer reporting a six-month wait that nearly crippled their business. Communication with Apple's Arcade team was also a major point of contention, with developers describing weeks or even months of silence in response to emails. Attempts to seek clarification on product, technical, or commercial matters often yielded unhelpful or incomplete responses.
Discoverability and QA Concerns
Discoverability proved another significant hurdle. One developer described their game as languishing in obscurity for two years due to a lack of Apple's promotional support. The rigorous quality assurance (QA) process was also criticized, with one developer describing the submission requirements as excessively burdensome.
A Mixed Bag of Opinions
Despite the overwhelmingly negative feedback, some developers acknowledged positive aspects of the platform. Several appreciated Apple's financial contribution, stating that it was essential to their studio's survival. Others noted that Apple Arcade's target audience has become clearer over time, allowing developers to tailor their games more effectively.
A Lack of Understanding and Direction
The report suggests a lack of clear strategy and integration within the broader Apple ecosystem. Developers expressed the belief that Apple lacks a genuine understanding of its gaming audience and struggles to provide developers with meaningful data on player behavior. The prevailing sentiment is that Apple treats developers as a necessary evil, prioritizing its own interests over the needs of its development partners. The overall experience, for many, is one of frustration and uncertainty.
