Developers reveal struggles working with Apple Arcade; from unproductive meetings to late payments

As a seasoned mobile games enthusiast with decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve witnessed the evolution of numerous platforms and their impact on the industry. Apple Arcade, once hailed as a revolutionary gaming subscription service, has unfortunately started to show its darker side.

Apple Arcade, known for its widespread popularity among gamers, boasts an impressive collection of new games regularly added to the platform. Yet, beneath the surface, developers encounter numerous hurdles while collaborating with Apple Arcade. Ranging from unproductive discussions to delayed compensation, these challenges paint a less appealing picture of this otherwise enjoyable subscription game service.

Recently, I came across an informative article on mobilegamer.biz that painted a concerning image of the experiences some game developers have had working with Apple Arcade and their Vision Pro technology. Let’s delve deeper into these challenges they faced.

The cons outweigh the pros, leaving Apple Arcade “directionless”, say the developers

Although the financial incentives appear appealing, developers have shared concerns about persistent payment delays, lack of clear communication, and insufficient technical assistance. They claim that responses to regular emails are frequently late by up to three weeks, or not received at all.

Initially, an indie developer was regularly receiving timely payments from Apple’s Bonus Pool. However, currently, there is a significant delay in receiving payments, amounting to a five-month backlog. This prolonged delay in payments has come close to pushing one small developer to the brink of financial instability, as reported in the article.

Apple meetings sometimes prove unproductive. Team members often don’t attend, and when they do, they lack clarity on the project. This situation is frustrating for many developers who feel their games are being ignored on Apple Arcade. The platform prioritizes new releases over updates, leaving some developers feeling overlooked.

Developers are finding Apple’s absence of a defined roadmap even more disheartening. They believe Apple regards games and developers as an indispensable yet unwanted necessity. The Arcade platform seems aimless, and there’s little indication of substantial backing from the corporation at large.

The Vision Pro has no ‘vision’, with the ordeal being similar to an ‘abusive relationship’

At the same time, developers dealing with Vision Pro’s development encounter comparable challenges. Despite being marketed as a robust gadget, Vision Pro disappoints in managing intricate games, causing developers discontent due to its inadequacies.

1. They characterized the technical support as “dreadful, the poorest I’ve encountered anywhere,” expressing their dissatisfaction that Apple’s team seemed unable to offer explanations about how the hardware and software operate or interact with each other, including crucial middleware.

As a writer specializing in mobile games, I may not fully understand the complexities of the issues developers face, but their distress is evident due to their apparent powerlessness. They have likened their situation to an “abusive relationship,” which appears highly inappropriate and incongruous given the context.

To ensure a prosperous mobile gaming industry, industry leaders such as Apple should steer clear of contentious behaviors. Instead, my recommendation is for them to foster more collaborative partnerships with game developers, who are deeply passionate about their work. Open and transparent communication can go a long way in resolving most disputes. I fervently hope that this positive change takes place soon and eliminates these troublesome practices.

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2024-07-30 21:11