Developers have complained about multi-week delays in game reviews on the App Store. A possible reason for this is the influx of AI applications
Mobile game developers have encountered increased review times for applications in the App Store. Previously, Apple typically approved new projects and updates within 24-48 hours, but now the process sometimes stretches to several weeks. This information comes from Mobilegamer.biz, citing representatives from small and medium-sized game studios.
According to the publication's sources, App Store moderation issues have become noticeably more serious in recent months. Developers complain not only about long waits but also about formal rejections, automated responses, and the need to resubmit games for review. All these issues lead to delayed release plans and additional costs.
One studio leader mentioned that his company had five applications waiting for Apple’s approval for over a week. Meanwhile, Google Play reviewed them in less than a day. Another developer noted that even expedited App Store reviews sometimes take three to five days.
Mobilegamer.biz suggests that the possible cause of the delays is the sharp increase in applications created using generative AI. Previously, The Information reported that due to the spread of such tools, the number of submission requests in the App Store increased by 84% year-over-year.
However, according to developer feedback, these issues mainly affect new applications. A representative of a medium-sized studio stated that they did not notice increased review times for updates to their game, which has been available on the App Store for about five years.
Apple, in turn, told Mobilegamer.biz that it continues to improve the moderation system. The company expanded the use of automation, enhanced violation detection, and prioritized the review of updates to already published applications.
According to Apple, over the past 12 weeks, its specialists have processed an average of 378,000 applications weekly. The average review time was 1.5 days, and for minor updates, 14 hours. The company acknowledged that reviews of some new applications might take longer if they require additional scrutiny.