Report says that Apple Arcade "smells like death"

Report says that Apple Arcade “smells like death”،

A report of mobilegamer.biz (via AndroidAuthority) says game developers are worried about Apple Arcade. One developer said there was “a smell of death” around Apple Arcade while other sources say they expect a reboot of the service to help it compete with Netflix's gaming service. Sources tell mobilegamer.biz that payments have been declining for years and as a result few new games are being approved.

Sources call Apple 'notoriously vindictive' and 'mean'

Another problem, according to sources, is Apple itself. Some sources have accused Apple of being “notoriously vindictive” and “mean,” but those adjectives were used to describe the tech giant after it was discovered that some of the developers it worked with on Apple Arcade signed deals with the Netflix service. Not all of the chatter coming from these sources is bad, as some developers have stated that they still have a positive relationship with the company.

Apple Arcade Smells of Death According to Some Developers - Report Says Apple Arcade "it smells like death"

Apple Arcade smells like death according to some developers

For example, one company said it wouldn't exist without Apple's support, even though Apple's support can sometimes become demanding and unpredictable. Another developer said: “Despite its imperfections, we are very, very happy that Arcade exists. It has made premium games viable on mobile.” It could just be that these developers don't want to bite the hand that feeds them, and while Apple Arcade has done some positive things for their business, the service is an old dog that doesn't learn new tricks.

While there is talk of a reboot, as we noted, the last one in 2021 led Apple to cancel several projects, drawing the ire of some developers including one who said the tech giant “canceled a bunch of projects and pissed off a lot of people.” “.

One problem is that Apple has reoriented Arcade toward games the whole family can play. One developer, who received rave reviews from Apple on a particular title, said the company suddenly changed its mind citing a change in strategy. The developer requested feedback from Apple, promised to revamp the game and said it would cut the budget. But Apple never responded to him.

And while we've mentioned it before, it bears repeating that developers detect the “smell of death” that permeates the air when they're near Apple Arcade. One studio executive said: “I felt like they didn't really know where they were going with all of this – almost like they weren't sure if they'd have a job at the end. »

The problem with Arcade starts at the top of Apple, source says

Apple reportedly reduced the upfront fees it paid for new games and bonus payouts also decreased. “We're going to see that amount go down and down until it's just pennies left,” one developer said. “At that point, putting a game on Arcade starts to become a lot less viable.”

One source knows where the problem with Apple Arcade begins. “At the top of the company, there needs to be a passion and respect for games, and that's just not the case. It's all about buy-in from the people at the top, and I don't think that's the case. Either way, they really enjoy Arcade or invest in it in the same way you see them invest in music or television.”

Most developers hope Netflix can put more pressure on Apple to help turn Arcade around. Another source said: “I really hope Netflix keeps doing what it's doing because it forces Apple to keep trying to be relevant and competitive.” Google also needs to come into the space with something compelling – Google Play Pass is actually pretty good. for developers, but it's terribly marketed.”