Apple Arcade Faces Challenges as Developers Express Concerns
According to a new report, several game developers are unhappy with the current state of Apple Arcade and have concerns about its future as a subscription service. Sources...
Game developers discuss the ‘Smell of Death’ surrounding Apple Arcade.
Some game developers are expressing dissatisfaction with Apple Arcade, the popular gaming subscription service, raising concerns about its future. According to a recent report from mobilegamer.biz, insiders have described a “smell of death” around the service, highlighting a perceived lack of passion and respect for games within the company’s leadership.
At its inception, Apple Arcade offered generous upfront payments to developers, providing a lifeline for many studios. The service was instrumental in making premium games viable on mobile platforms. With Apple’s support, one game studio executive even stated that their company wouldn’t exist without Apple Arcade.
However, the report suggests that developers have witnessed a decline in payouts from Apple Arcade over the past few years. Notably, this decline became more pronounced in October 2020. Both upfront payments and the per-play “bonus pool” have shrunk, and Apple has been evasive about how these sums are calculated. Developers find themselves grappling with an opaque metric called the “qualifying session” that determines bonus pool payments, but its specifics remain a mystery.
Games falling under the category of “App Store Greats” no longer receive upfront payments but are included in the bonus pool contributions. As a result, games with shorter narratives and premium indie titles tend to earn less than those with longer-term retention. Consequently, some types of games have gradually disappeared from the service, as there has been a shift towards featuring prominent family-friendly intellectual property (IP) in Apple’s commissioning decisions. Only a select few original games are greenlit for the service if they meet these specific requirements.
While some developers have positive experiences with Apple Arcade, others have described the company as “vindictive” or “spiteful” in their dealings. Some developers claim that the Apple Arcade team lacks clear direction and strategy, often failing to respond to emails. There is a sense of uncertainty among some studio representatives, with one expressing concerns that the team may not even have job opportunities in the future.
Obtaining marketing support or features on the App Store has also proven challenging for developers struggling to gain traction on Apple Arcade. One developer lamented the difficulty of securing banner featuring at the top, comparing the process to “squeezing blood from a stone.”
In April 2021, Apple made significant changes to Apple Arcade, canceling numerous projects. Some developers speculate that the emergence of gaming subscriptions from major competitors like Netflix may have prompted Apple to consider yet another reboot of Apple Arcade. As a result, the long-term future of the service remains uncertain.
Q&A: What Else Do You Need to Know?
Q: What is Apple Arcade? Apple Arcade is a gaming subscription service offered by Apple that provides access to a curated library of premium games for a monthly fee. It was launched in 2019 and initially received praise for its upfront payment model for developers.
Q: Why are developers expressing concerns about Apple Arcade? Developers have observed a decline in payouts from Apple Arcade, which became more pronounced in October 2020. There is also a perceived lack of passion and respect for games within Apple’s leadership team. Some developers have faced difficulties securing marketing support or features on the App Store, even when their games are struggling on Apple Arcade.
Q: What are “App Store Greats”? “App Store Greats” are games included in Apple Arcade that are not eligible for upfront payments. They receive contributions from the bonus pool based on playtime and other factors. However, the focus on family-friendly IP and longer-term retention has resulted in a slow loss of certain types of games on the service.
Q: Is there a possibility of another reboot for Apple Arcade? Some developers believe that Apple may consider rebooting the Apple Arcade service in response to competition from other gaming subscriptions, such as Netflix’s entry into the market. However, the long-term future of Apple Arcade remains uncertain.
To stay up to date on gaming and technology trends, check out the following articles:
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- Apple’s App Store Permits Streaming Game Stores and Adds In-App Purchase for Mini Apps
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