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 recent Mobilegamer.biz report. This article delves into developer experiences and perspectives on the platform.

Developer Frustrations with Apple Arcade

Discoverability and QA Concerns

Discoverability emerged as a major hurdle. Several developers felt their games were overlooked, resulting in minimal player engagement despite exclusivity agreements. The stringent quality assurance (QA) process, requiring the submission of thousands of screenshots for various device aspect ratios and languages, was also criticized as excessively burdensome.

A Balanced Perspective

Despite the negative feedback, some developers acknowledged positive aspects. Several highlighted Apple's financial support, stating that the funding received enabled their studios to remain operational. Others noted a perceived improvement in Apple's understanding of its target audience over time.

Apple's Lack of Gamer Understanding

The report concludes that Apple Arcade lacks a clear strategy and appears to be poorly integrated within the broader Apple ecosystem. Developers expressed concerns that Apple doesn't adequately understand its player base, hindering effective communication and collaboration. A prevailing sentiment is that Apple treats developers as a necessary evil, prioritizing its own interests over developer needs and concerns.