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

Apple Arcade, while offering a platform for mobile game developers, has faced significant criticism for its operational shortcomings, leaving many developers frustrated, according to a Mobilegamer.biz report. This article delves into the developers' experiences and perspectives on the platform.

Apple Arcade Mobile Game Developers Express Frustration with Platform Issues

Despite Financial Support, Developers Cite Numerous Challenges

Mobilegamer.biz's "Inside Apple Arcade" report reveals widespread dissatisfaction among developers working with Apple's game subscription service. Key issues highlighted include delayed payments, inadequate technical support, and significant discoverability problems.

Multiple studios reported extensive delays in receiving payments, with one indie developer citing a six-month wait that nearly jeopardized their business. This developer also criticized the difficulty of securing deals, the lack of a clear platform vision, and the poor quality of technical support. Another developer echoed these sentiments, describing weeks-long communication delays and unhelpful responses to inquiries.

Discoverability proved another major hurdle. One developer described their game as being in a state of neglect for two years due to a lack of Apple's promotion. The rigorous quality assurance (QA) process, requiring the submission of thousands of screenshots to demonstrate compatibility across devices and languages, was also criticized as excessively burdensome.

Despite the negative experiences, some developers acknowledged positive aspects. Several noted that Apple Arcade has become more focused on its target audience over time and that the financial support provided was crucial to their studio's survival. One developer explicitly stated that without Apple's funding, their studio would not exist.

Developers Claim Apple Misunderstands Gamers

The report suggests a lack of strategic direction within Apple Arcade, portraying it as a poorly integrated addition to the broader Apple ecosystem. Developers criticized Apple's lack of understanding of its gaming audience and its inability to share relevant player data. A prevalent sentiment among developers was that Apple treats them as a "necessary evil," offering little in return for their efforts.