Apple Arcade: A Mixed Bag for Mobile Game Developers
Apple Arcade, while offering a platform for mobile game developers, has faced significant criticism due to various operational issues, according to a Mobilegamer.biz report. This article delves into the perspectives of developers regarding their experiences with the platform.
Developer Frustrations with Apple Arcade
The "Inside Apple Arcade" report reveals widespread frustration among developers. Key complaints include payment delays, inadequate technical support, and poor game discoverability. Some developers reported waiting up to six months for payments, jeopardizing their studios' financial stability. One developer described the process of securing a deal with Apple as "difficult and long," citing a lack of clear platform vision and inconsistent goals. Technical support was also heavily criticized for slow response times (weeks, or no response at all) and unhelpful answers.
Discoverability problems were another major concern. Several developers felt their games were neglected, lacking visibility and promotion on the platform, despite exclusivity agreements. The rigorous quality assurance (QA) process, demanding thousands of screenshots for various devices and languages, was also seen as excessively burdensome.
A More Nuanced Perspective
Despite the prevalent negative feedback, some developers acknowledged positive aspects of Apple Arcade. Some noted a growing understanding of the target audience over time, and others praised Apple's financial support, stating it was crucial for their studios' survival. The funding received covered their entire development budgets, a lifeline for many.
Apple's Lack of Understanding of Gamers
The report suggests a lack of clear strategy and integration within the broader Apple ecosystem. Many developers felt Apple lacked understanding of its gaming audience, hindering effective communication and collaboration. A prevailing sentiment was that Apple treats developers as a "necessary evil," prioritizing its own interests over the needs and concerns of its development partners.
