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 developer experiences and perspectives on the platform.
Developer Frustrations with Apple Arcade
The "Inside Apple Arcade" report reveals widespread frustration among developers. Key complaints include payment delays (with one developer reporting a six-month wait, nearly jeopardizing their studio), inadequate technical support characterized by slow response times and unhelpful answers, and significant discoverability problems. Many developers feel their games are essentially invisible on the platform, despite exclusivity agreements. The rigorous quality assurance (QA) and localization processes are also cited as overly burdensome.
A Positive Counterpoint: Financial Support
Despite the numerous criticisms, some developers acknowledge the positive impact of Apple's financial backing, stating that Apple Arcade funding has been crucial to their studios' survival. One developer noted that their development budget was fully covered by their Apple Arcade deal.
Apple's Lack of Understanding of Gamers
The report suggests a lack of strategic direction and integration within the broader Apple ecosystem. Developers feel Apple lacks a clear understanding of its gaming audience and fails to provide developers with meaningful data on player behavior. The prevailing sentiment is that Apple treats developers as a necessary evil, offering minimal support in return for exclusivity.
In conclusion, while Apple Arcade has provided financial lifelines for some studios, its operational shortcomings, lack of developer support, and apparent disconnect from the gaming community leave many developers feeling undervalued and frustrated.
