According to a report from MobileGamer.biz, developers for Apple Arcade games have noticed a decline in payouts from Apple since 2020.
During the launch of the service in 2019, developers spoke of generous upfront payments, but this trend quickly shifted, with payouts decreasing steadily over time.
Apple has also reduced upfront fees for new games on the Arcade platform, according to developer sources cited in the report.
In 2021, Apple reportedly canceled numerous projects, opting to prioritize family-friendly titles based on existing intellectual properties. This shift in focus has left some developers uncertain about the future direction of the platform.
Furthermore, there appears to be a lack of clarity regarding Apple’s business strategy for Apple Arcade, leaving developers in the dark about how to tailor their games to meet the company’s expectations.
MobileGamer.biz quotes one studio executive who recounted a disheartening experience where Apple abruptly withdrew interest in a game despite months of positive feedback. When the developer offered to adjust the game to better align with Apple’s preferences, they were met with silence from the Arcade team.
This uncertainty and inconsistency have left developers concerned about the viability of the platform, with one expressing a sense of pessimism about its future, describing it as having a “smell of death.”
