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All I Want For The Holidays Are App Store Development Guidelines

Apple’s App Store has changed the way mobile developers can reach their audience. By setting up a fast, secure environment for developers and game publishers to distribute their games and applications, Apple is attempting to bridge a major gap between the industry. However, some setbacks remain and the environment still needs some attention.

One of Apple’s major attractions with the App Store is the fact that developers can distribute their games and applications fast and in a secure environment. Once a particular game or app is approved and pushed through to the App Store, millions of people instantly have access to the title, and with the right buzz online, it can generate literally millions of downloads.

While Apple’s App Store has been subject to extremely harsh criticism, primarily focused around harsh rejections and an overall lack of communication. It’s important to remember how big of a push Apple has made with the App Store. Not only was the iPhone earth shattering in terms of user experience and making mobile data accessible, but Apple’s long-term goals in turning the device into a development platform have been more than realized. The speed in which a game or application can be downloaded and distributed through the app store is enough to send any aspiring developer into a cerebral tailspin about what iPhone users potentially need.

However, since the launch of the App Store, countless stories about very useful applications being rejected have sent shivers down most developer’s spines. Without a clear set of development guidelines, developers are taking an enormous gamble in cultivating a game or application on the iPhone platform. While it may seem reasonable for larger more established companies to devote time, money and general resources to hoping their applications get approved. Many smaller teams, producing extremely useful applications are not as lucky. A quote from a colleague of mine who develops for the iPhone explains it well:

“Without development guidelines, there is no way to know for certain if an application or game you are spending your time on, will get approved by Apple. In which case, you can organically appeal the decision and hope the community picks up your story, in which case word gets around to Apple that people are angered and they reverse the decision. Or perhaps they will realize that they made a mistake in rejecting your application/game and reverse the decision. Either way, Apple’s communication thus far has not been comforting to say the least.”

Dropping the iPhone NDA was a step in the right direction. Actually, releasing the iPhone SDK was the first step towards a brighter future, however, the community needed to basically beg Apple to do both. Couldn’t Apple release a well documented set of guidelines, that developers could follow while developing their games and applications? I think this could be done with relative ease, and the impact would be substantial. Not only would would developers be given a clear set of rules to follow, but real-world, long-term companies could be founded. Companies that are interested in establishing roots in the industry, developing platforms of their own and contributing in ways we can’t imagine. These things can’t happen to their fullest potential until Apple opens up and comes clean with what is really driving app store rejections and approvals. No more guessing, hoping and praying that a response will be given, the iPhone development community deserves more. And the potential behind the technology is enough to transform the mobile market as we know it today.

Some setbacks remain, and until Apple releases a clear set of development guidelines, the App Store will still be considered an “application boutique.” Developers and game publishers will continue to devote energy and resources to developing great titles that may never see the light of day. But remember, the iPhone SDK wasn’t so easy to reason out of Cupertino. So what do you think Apple, maybe some official App Store development guidelines for the holidays?