Apple Arcade Developers Say Working With Apple Is Like Being In an 'Abusive Relationship'

Mobile game developers have voiced increasing frustration with Apple, citing reduced payments, delayed compensation, poor communication, and inadequate support, particularly with the Apple Vision Pro. Apple Insider reports: In February, game developers began expressing frustration over Apple Arcade. They pointed out that while the service was initially profitable, Apple had begun decreasing upfront payments and the per-play 'bonus pool.' Additionally, the tech giant began to axe projects with little to no warning. According to Mobilegamer.biz, developers continue to be unhappy with how Apple's running its 'pay once, play all you want' game subscription service. Developers point out how Apple has delayed payments -- sometimes up to six months -- which has put smaller studios in precarious situations.

Devs are also unhappy with Apple's communication -- or lack thereof. 'We can go weeks without hearing from Apple at all and their general response time to emails is three weeks, if they reply at all,' one developer told Mobilegamer.biz. Some have even called Apple's tech support 'miserable' and the worst they'd seen anywhere. Even the QA and update process is frustrating, prompting some developers to avoid updating their games altogether. One particularly frustrated developer spoke out against Apple Arcade, saying, 'It's like an abusive relationship where the abused stays in the relationship hoping the other partner will change and become the person you know they could be.' When it comes to the Apple Vision Pro, many game developers are increasingly frustrated with the headset's struggles to run demanding games. And, while Apple wants indie developers to create new games for their new headset, the company 'does not provide compensation or make any promises to promote or market the game once it is finished,' says Apple Insider.

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