Yes, I think you've hit on the crux of it. Content streams, accessory apps to larger services, and games with micro-transactions all have one thing in common: they make way more money than you can typically hope to make off of a standalone, novel app that costs $1-$3.
Re:Secret iPad
by underwater on Friday April 03, 2020 @08:11PM
(#22775109)
This was the argument of why an Apple controlled app store was so important. But they seem to be actively pushing people towards those high profit, user hostile, apps.
There is a cohort of games that is 10x worse than anything you'd find on the web. Unskippable 30s blocks of ads every few minutes, that just promote more crappy games.
Re:Secret iPad
by scarface74 on Friday April 03, 2020 @09:14PM
(#22775403)
Apple introduced Apple Arcade because of the horrible state of games on the App Store.
I'm curious how well devs are doing in AA. The potential market is huge but you're also getting a tiny slice of $5/month. I see some of the same games on consoles for $20 each and up.
Re:Secret iPad
by scarface74 on Saturday April 04, 2020 @06:36AM
(#22777459)
Apple is paying what amounts to an advance. Game developers are guaranteed a minimum.
https://gameanalytics.com/blog/apple-arcade-mobile-game-deve...
In their latest report, Apple announced that they want to help developers get set up on their service by paying for some of their costs, which should take some pressure off when building your game. How much they’ll contribute is still yet to be revealed, so maybe don’t hold your breath.
Re:Secret iPad
by astronautjones on Friday April 03, 2020 @11:19PM
(#22775966)
it's also a completely hostile and unnavigable app store. the search is bad, the charts are bad, the recommendations are bad, it's obscured on purpose.
Re:Secret iPad
by leadingthenet on Saturday April 04, 2020 @05:38AM
(#22777248)
The charts are really bad...
There is still tons of innovation in the App Store. It’s just on Skinner Box mechanics now.