Apple’s services division has experienced significant growth in revenue in recent years, particularly in its investments in TV and music. The company has made notable moves, such as securing exclusive TV rights for Major League Soccer for $2.5 billion and announcing a 10% additional royalty for songs featuring spatial audio. However, there is one product that Apple has seemingly neglected for some time, and according to developers, it appears to be fading away. The latest report suggests that game developers are concerned about the future of Apple Arcade.
Apple introduced the Apple Arcade subscription service in 2019, quickly becoming an attractive platform for game developers. Initially, Apple offered generous payments and per-play fees to entice more developers to join the service.
Reported by mobilegamer.biz, numerous game developers have expressed worries about the declining condition of Apple Arcade. Sources indicate that payouts for gaming titles have been decreasing for years, with Apple accepting very few new titles. Developers claim that Apple is hesitant to approve a title unless it originates from a well-known “family-friendly IP.”
The decline began in October 2020 when Apple Arcade’s per-play bonus pool began to shrink. In spring 2021, when Apple aimed to revamp its gaming subscription service, it canceled numerous projects, causing frustration among several developers.
Developers are frustrated with Apple because the company has not been transparent about its gaming strategy shift. When asked about declining payments, Apple has largely remained silent. A significant complaint from developers is the lack of disclosure regarding how Apple calculates bonus pool payments.
“A studio executive revealed that despite receiving months of positive feedback on a specific game, the Apple Arcade team abruptly lost interest in the title, citing a shift in strategy. When the developer sought feedback and proposed budget reductions and game adjustments to align with Apple’s requirements, the Arcade team ceased responding to their emails.”
Currently, Apple prioritizes family-friendly titles from established developers. Additionally, it features one or two “App Store greats“ monthly. However, the new Apple Arcade games are essentially recycled titles without ads or promotions.
Numerous developers are apprehensive about the fate of Apple Arcade. One developer noted, “I felt a lack of clarity in their direction, almost as if they were unsure about their job security.”
Netflix’s foray into gaming has intensified the competition for Apple. Currently, Netflix offers substantial upfront payments to game developers and is perceived as easier to collaborate with compared to Apple, according to developers.
According to a studio executive, Apple lacks passion and respect for games, evident in the notable disparity between their strategies for gaming versus music and TV.
“At the top level of the company, there should be a genuine passion and appreciation for games, but it seems to be missing. The level of investment and commitment from top executives doesn’t seem to match what we see for music or TV.”
With the situation deteriorating, speculation arises that Apple may be preparing for another reboot, yet the outlook for the gaming subscription service remains bleak for now.
0 Comments