Apple Arcade Payouts Have Been Declining for Years, Say Game Developers

According to a report by MobileGamer.biz, game developers for Apple Arcade have experienced a decline in payouts from Apple since 2020. Initially, the upfront payments were generous during the service's launch in 2019, but they have taken a downturn and continued to decrease. The developers also mentioned that Apple has reduced the upfront fees for new Arcade games. In 2021, Apple canceled several projects as it shifted its focus towards family-friendly titles based on existing intellectual properties. Furthermore, developers expressed concerns that Apple has not clearly defined its business strategy for the service, leading to confusion and uncertainty. One studio executive shared an experience where the Arcade team lost interest in a game after initially providing positive feedback, citing a change in strategy, and then stopped responding to emails when the developer offered to adjust the game to meet Apple's needs. This lack of communication and transparency has raised concerns among game developers about the future direction of the platform, with one developer even sensing a 'smell of death' regarding the subscription service's prospects.