Apple Arcade: Needs AAA games

[MBX]

I’m amazed about the power of the A12X and A13 cpus and when you see games like GRID Autosport and NBA2K running on an iPad Pro you can see that console like games are possible.

if Apple got more publishers to do AAA games for iOS it could really benefit everybody. If people are willing to spend $20-50 bucks for games on Nintendo Switch and can wait for the download to finish then why not on iOS?

the iphone 11 and iPad Pro are more powerful than Nintendo switch so now we just need more powerful games.

 

[jeanlain]

Although I would also like to see AAA games, I think Apple is satisfied with casual gaming.
And I'm not sure the big publishers are interested in the Apple Arcade business model.

 

[Juicy Box]

These arguments were made about the tvOS app store for a while now, and if anything, it seems like the quality games are actually decreasing as tvOS support for some quality games have been ending.

I was kind of hoping that the Apple Arcade would bring some better quality games to the tvOS, but nothing really impresses atm.

I think that most games for the iOS and tvOS are like bubble gum, they are good for a few minutes, but quickly loses its flavor.

 

[MBX]

These arguments were made about the tvOS app store for a while now, and if anything, it seems like the quality games are actually decreasing as tvOS support for some quality games have been ending.

I was kind of hoping that the Apple Arcade would bring some better quality games to the tvOS, but nothing really impresses atm.

I think that most games for the iOS and tvOS are like bubble gum, they are good for a few minutes, but quickly loses its flavor.

it’s also Apple’s fault for not getting more developers making more elaborate games. Apple could be one of the biggest gaming platforms and compete with Sony and Microsoft if they didn’t just focus on smaller mobile games.
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Although I would also like to see AAA games, I think Apple is satisfied with casual gaming.
And I'm not sure the big publishers are interested in the Apple Arcade business model.

maybe my title is wrong and should be iOS in general not just Arcade.

Feral gave us GRID Autosport for $10 and looks amazing. I’d be willing to spend $20 and $50 for such games if we got true AAA ports.

 

[Juicy Box]

it’s also Apple’s fault for not getting more developers making more elaborate games.

I agree.

But, I see why Apple and developers might not care. The bubble gum games that the iOS store is flooded with tend to be free and have pay-to-win IAP.

They have little to no re-play value, so I am sure a lot of people download the free game, pay for in-game items or currency, get bored, then most onto the next free game.

Not really for Apple, but for developers, it could be risky to make a support a quality game. Even if it is successful, the ROI for a quality game is probably not as good as these cheap, short-lived novelty games.

Apple could incentivize developers to put out a better product, but Apple doesn't seem like they care.

 

[gkarris]

meh, those AAA games on mobile will drain battery like there's no tomorrow.

The Switch is optimized for games so the battery will last longer on that with AAA games.

With that said, my most favorite AppleTV game, "Battle Supremacy: Evolution" got ported to the Switch and that is really awesome, being able to use real controls and use it on a TV as well.

Battle Supremacy - Evolution for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site

Buy Battle Supremacy - Evolution and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.

www.nintendo.com

Wish iOS Devs would do more, but they're not...

 

[MBX]

Why worry about battery life? The Switch apparently only lasts 2-4 hrs. The iPad Pro has an amazing battery life even when gaming.

 

[gkarris]

Why worry about battery life? The Switch apparently only lasts 2-4 hrs. The iPad Pro has an amazing battery life even when gaming.

I get over 5 hours on my Rev 2 Switch...

 

[Horselover Fat]

The iOS hardware might be capable and paired with a proper controller we‘re halfway there but the software is missing and I doubt this is going to change. ARM is a different platform which means additional effort for developers. Many AAA devs can’t even be bothered to port to macOS which is (still) running on Intel.

I think the gaming situation for the eternally neglected Apple users will improve eventually when cloud gaming is available everywhere. This will take some more years and we will be tied to hardware for at least one more generation. As ignorant as Apple are when it comes to games, I think they are aware of this. Even if they were suddenly fond of gaming it wouldn‘t make sense to incentivize hordes of AAA devs towards their OSs at this late stage.

 

[jeanlain]

The CPU architecture is not a problem. The hardware difference between consoles have never been an issue.
What's limiting IMO, is the touch controls (few iOS/TvOS users have controllers) and limited storage space.

 

[maflynn]

if Apple got more publishers to do AAA games for iOS it could really benefit everybody. If people are willing to spend $20-50 bucks for games on Nintendo Switch and can wait for the download to finish then why not on iOS?

Given that the cost of AAA games run in the millions I'd say its not likely.

The difference between the Switch and Apple Arcade is that the game producer will get about 50 bucks for each unit sold. How much will they get when Apple only charges 4.99 a month?

If the cost to produce a 6 dollar game runs in the 5 to 10k range, it probably can make sense to sell on the apple arcade, but spending 15 million plus another 15 marketing, I don't think it will make economic sense.

 

[MBX]

Given that the cost of AAA games run in the millions I'd say its not likely.
View attachment 889598

The difference between the Switch and Apple Arcade is that the game producer will get about 50 bucks for each unit sold. How much will they get when Apple only charges 4.99 a month?

If the cost to produce a 6 dollar game runs in the 5 to 10k range, it probably can make sense to sell on the apple arcade, but spending 15 million plus another 15 marketing, I don't think it will make economic sense.

View attachment 889599

Of course that‘s true. AAA titles require a lot of work and more time and thus cost more.

If Apple could achieve a platform for AAA devs to sell their games, maybe something different than „Arcade“ then I‘d be willing to pay $50+

Maybe in couple years when computer technology is much further advanced it will be much easier to port any games to any platform. In the next years even phone & tablet GPU‘s could be as powerful as current most powerful gaming graphics cards packed in tiny ARM chips. Or maybe with 5G it will all be just streamed like Google Stadia which I hope will be successful and run on Apple phones & iPad‘s too soon.

 

[maflynn]

If Apple could achieve a platform for AAA devs to sell their games, maybe something different than „Arcade“ then I‘d be willing to pay $50+

Not for nothing, but MS is doing this with their subscription services, so you're not wrong. Their gamepass has a number of high profile AAA games, though I think 99% are games from MS game studios or exclusives they MS commissioned, for example, OuterWorlds and Gears 5

 

[GoldfishRT]

Not for nothing, but MS is doing this with their subscription services, so you're not wrong. Their gamepass has a number of high profile AAA games, though I think 99% are games from MS game studios or exclusives they MS commissioned, for example, OuterWorlds and Gears 5

While Microsoft games make it to GamePass on day of release, they still are the minority of releases on the service.

Here's the game-list page: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/games

Between all the other things in life pulling at my attention, GamePass is definitely my favorite development in gaming from the past 5 or so years. Especially since I don't care about having every single latest release - I simply don't have time!

It's even getting me playing more PC games again.

 

[maflynn]

While Microsoft games make it to GamePass on day of release, they still are the minority of releases on the service.

No question, I was merely pointing out that MS has a subscription service that includes some AAA games. By the way, I'm subscribing and there's a healthy mix of games.

 

[Huntn]

Of course that‘s true. AAA titles require a lot of work and more time and thus cost more.

If Apple could achieve a platform for AAA devs to sell their games, maybe something different than „Arcade“ then I‘d be willing to pay $50+

Maybe in couple years when computer technology is much further advanced it will be much easier to port any games to any platform. In the next years even phone & tablet GPU‘s could be as powerful as current most powerful gaming graphics cards packed in tiny ARM chips. Or maybe with 5G it will all be just streamed like Google Stadia which I hope will be successful and run on Apple phones & iPad‘s too soon.

I’m used to $4.99 Now it they could make something that could hold me for 6-12 months, I’d be willing to pay $20. Even on my PC, I’m very picky about what I’m willing to pay $50+ for.