The tech behemoth, known for its exorbitant prices and unquestioning support of the media, has managed to alienate yet another group of its so-called "partners." This time, it's the game developers who are feeling the burn, particularly with the much-hyped, never-bought, Apple Vision Pro.

In February, developers began to voice their discontent with Apple Arcade. Initially, the service seemed like a goldmine, but Apple, in its infinite wisdom, decided to slash upfront payments and the per-play "bonus pool."

Projects were axed with little to no warning, leaving developers scrambling. According to Mobilegamer.biz, the dissatisfaction continues to fester as Apple’s "pay once, play all you want" model turns into a nightmare. Payments are delayed by up to six months, putting smaller studios in dire straits.

Communication, or the lack thereof, is another sore point. Developers report going weeks without a peep from Apple, with email response times stretching to an agonising three weeks—if they get a reply at all.

Tech support has been described as "miserable," the worst some have ever encountered. The QA and update process is so frustrating that some developers are avoiding updates altogether.

One particularly exasperated developer likened the experience to "an abusive relationship," where they cling to the hope that Apple might one day change its ways.

As for the Apple Vision Pro, it’s proving to be yet another headache. The headset struggles to run demanding games, and while Apple is keen for indie developers to create new content, it offers no compensation or promises of promotion.

 In other words, developers are expected to pour their time and resources into a black hole, with no guarantee of any return.