Recent revelations have exposed a growing dissatisfaction among mobile game developers working with Apple, particularly concerning Apple Arcade and the Apple Vision Pro.
Developers who initially found Apple Arcade profitable are now voicing concerns over decreasing upfront payments and erratic bonus pool disbursements. Payment delays of up to six months have been reported, putting smaller studios in precarious financial situations. This inconsistency in compensation has led to a broader sense of disillusionment, as developers struggle to sustain their operations.
Compounding these financial issues is a notable lack of communication from Apple’s support team. Developers report that responses to emails can take weeks, sometimes even months, leaving critical questions about project timelines and technical details unanswered. This communication gap extends to technical support, which developers have described as “miserable” and “the worst they’ve seen anywhere.” The technical difficulties are particularly pronounced with the Apple Vision Pro, a device that, despite its advertised capabilities, struggles to run complex games. Developers report a lack of adequate technical documentation and support, with Apple’s engineers often unable to provide necessary insights into the hardware and software.
The frustration doesn’t end with technical challenges. Developers have also criticized the quality assurance and update processes, which they find overly cumbersome. Some developers have chosen to avoid updating their games altogether due to the extensive back-and-forth required with Apple’s team, which can consume months of work. This bureaucratic inefficiency further alienates developers, who feel unsupported in their efforts to bring quality content to Apple Arcade.
Adding to these grievances is the issue of discoverability within Apple Arcade. Developers have reported that their games often feel “in a morgue,” with minimal visibility and promotion. This lack of exposure is particularly concerning for indie developers who rely on discoverability to attract players and generate revenue. The situation is exacerbated by the arrival of new titles, which are often promoted more heavily, pushing older games further into obscurity.
Despite these challenges, there are still developers who recognize the initial benefits Apple Arcade offered, particularly in its early years. The platform provided substantial financial support that allowed many indie developers to fund their projects and reach new audiences. However, these positives are overshadowed by the current climate of uncertainty and frustration. Developers feel that Apple Arcade lacks a clear strategy and direction, which is crucial for sustaining long-term growth and engagement.
The release of the Apple Vision Pro has done little to assuage these concerns. While the device represents Apple’s entry into the spatial computing market, developers find it challenging to create engaging content for it. The lack of financial incentives or marketing support from Apple further discourages developers from investing their resources into developing for Vision Pro. This contrasts sharply with other platforms, like Meta, which actively fund VR development and provide substantial support to developers.
In this increasingly competitive landscape, where platforms like Netflix are expanding their gaming offerings, Apple faces significant pressure to address these issues. The growing discontent among developers highlights the need for Apple to reevaluate its approach to both Apple Arcade and Vision Pro. Providing better technical support, ensuring timely payments, and improving communication are essential steps Apple must take to restore trust and foster a more positive relationship with its developer community.
(via Mobilegamer.biz)
