Apple Arcade, Apple's subscription-based mobile gaming platform, launched with ambitious goals: a curated library of high-quality games and a lucrative opportunity for developers. However, a recent report reveals significant discontent brewing among studios developing for the platform.
Some of them are "unhappy" with Apple's subscription-based mobile gaming service due to a myriad of issues.
Late Payments and Unresponsive Support
Several developers reported delayed payments from Apple Arcade, with some waiting up to six months to receive their payout. This financial strain can be detrimental to smaller studios, jeopardizing their ability to operate.
Beyond finances, communication with Apple seems to be another major hurdle. Developers express frustration with a lack of timely responses to emails, limited technical support, and unproductive meetings with Apple representatives who appear unprepared or uninformed, according to MacRumors.
"Things have changed since the early times, it's a very difficult and long process to sign a deal with Apple these days. The lack of vision and clear focus of the platform is frustrating and if there is any goal, it keeps changing every year or so. Also technical support is pretty miserable," one developer said.
Vision Pro: Unmet Expectations and Lack of Support
Apple's foray into augmented reality with the Vision Pro headset has also yielded disappointment for developers. Studios approached to develop games for the platform reported a lack of financial compensation, marketing support, or even proper development tools.
Further criticism highlights the technical limitations of Vision Pro, deemed unfit for a smooth gaming experience due to its hardware limitations.
QA Process and Discoverability Concerns
The development process on Apple Arcade appears to be burdened by cumbersome procedures. One developer described the quality assurance process as an unnecessarily tedious process involving submitting an overwhelming number of screenshots to demonstrate compatibility across various device configurations and languages.
Discoverability is another major concern. Despite the exclusivity agreement with Apple, some developers feel their games are buried within the platform, receiving minimal promotion or visibility. This lack of discoverability directly impacts player engagement, leaving the developers frustrated and their games languishing in obscurity.
A Divided Opinion on Apple's Focus
While some developers criticize Apple's perceived lack of developer support and unclear strategy, others acknowledge the financial opportunities presented by the platform.
One viewpoint argues that Apple is refining its target audience for Apple Arcade, and if that focus shifts away from high-concept indie games, it shouldn't necessarily be considered a negative.
Another opinion suggests that Apple's focus on family-friendly games could be a positive development for developers who can capitalize on this market segment, per GameIndustry.biz.
Developers Feel Undervalued
Despite the financial incentives, a recurring theme among the frustrated developers is a sense of being undervalued by Apple. They feel treated as a necessary but disposable element in Apple's vision for Arcade.
The lack of communication, technical support, and overall transparency creates a negative development experience and contributes to overall dissatisfaction.
Apple Remains Silent
While developers have voiced their concerns, Apple has yet to publicly respond to these criticisms. A transparent response addressing these issues and outlining a clear development roadmap for Apple Arcade could potentially restore developer confidence in the platform.
The future of Apple Arcade hinges on addressing these concerns. If the Cupertino giant can improve communication, streamline development processes, and provide better support for developers, it can potentially foster a more positive and productive environment for both developers and players.
