A recent report has shed light on the challenges faced by developers working with Apple Arcade. The subscription gaming service, launched in 2019, offers exclusive games free from in-app purchases. Despite boasting a library of over 200 games, developers have anonymously shared their frustrations with Apple Arcade.
According to the report from MobileGamer.biz, developers have encountered issues such as delayed payments and poor communication from Apple. Some developers claim that they have had to wait for months to receive their royalties, causing financial strain on their studios. Additionally, communication with Apple has been described as lacking, with long response times to emails and unhelpful interactions with Apple’s team.
Discoverability and promotion on Apple Arcade have also been highlighted as challenges for developers. Some claim that their games have not been featured or promoted effectively, leading to a lack of visibility on the platform. This has left developers feeling like their hard work has gone unnoticed and unappreciated.
The quality assurance and update process on Apple Arcade has been criticized as well. Developers have described a cumbersome and time-consuming process for submitting updates, with multiple rounds of back-and-forth meetings with Apple. One developer even mentioned a requirement to submit 1,000 screenshots at once for QA and localization purposes, which was deemed unreasonable by their team.
Furthermore, developers have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of vision or planning on Apple’s part. Some believe that Apple views developers as a “necessary evil” and takes advantage of their work without providing adequate support or recognition in return. This has led to comparisons of the relationship between developers and Apple as being akin to an abusive one, with developers hoping for change but feeling disillusioned by the current state of affairs.
Overall, the report paints a picture of a challenging and frustrating experience for developers working with Apple Arcade. Despite the platform’s appeal and promise of exclusive, high-quality games, developers have faced obstacles in terms of payment delays, communication issues, discoverability, and a perceived lack of vision from Apple. These insights shed light on the complexities of the relationship between developers and Apple Arcade, highlighting the need for improved support and communication to foster a more collaborative and successful environment for all parties involved.