Apple Arcade Just \"Does Not Understand Gamers\" and Frustrates Game Devs

Apple Arcade: A Mixed Bag for Mobile Game Developers

Apple Arcade, while offering a platform for mobile game developers, has reportedly caused significant frustration among its creators. A Mobilegamer.biz report reveals widespread dissatisfaction stemming from various issues impacting the development and success of games on the platform.

The Challenges Faced by Developers on Apple Arcade

A recent "Inside Apple Arcade" report paints a picture of discontent. Developers cite delayed payments, inadequate technical support, and significant discoverability problems as major hurdles.

The report details lengthy wait times for communication and payment from Apple. One independent developer recounted a six-month delay in receiving payment, threatening their studio's survival. The developer stated, "Securing a deal with Apple is arduous. The platform's lack of clear direction and shifting goals are frustrating. Technical support is also severely lacking."

Another developer confirmed these difficulties, reporting weeks of silence from Apple, with email response times averaging three weeks, if a reply is received at all. Attempts to seek clarification on product, technical, or commercial matters often yielded unsatisfactory or unhelpful responses due to a lack of knowledge or confidentiality constraints.

Discoverability remains a critical concern. One developer described their game as being "in a morgue for two years" due to a lack of promotion by Apple. The developer expressed their feelings of invisibility, highlighting the paradox of receiving exclusivity payments but lacking audience reach. The rigorous quality assurance (QA) process also drew criticism, with one developer describing it as excessively burdensome.

A More Nuanced Perspective

Despite the negative experiences, the report also includes more positive feedback. Some developers acknowledged a clearer focus from Apple Arcade over time, suggesting a better understanding of its target audience. Others emphasized the positive impact of Apple's financial support, stating that Apple's funding was essential to their studio's continued existence. One developer noted, "We secured a favorable deal covering our entire development budget."

The Disconnect Between Apple and Gamers

The report suggests a fundamental disconnect between Apple and the gaming community. One developer claimed that Apple Arcade lacks a coherent strategy and feels like an afterthought within the broader Apple ecosystem. A recurring theme is Apple's apparent lack of understanding of its gamers, hindering effective communication and collaboration with developers. The prevailing sentiment is that Apple treats game developers as a "necessary evil," prioritizing its own interests over the needs of its creative partners.