why are apps so large from multiple developers now? How could they be made into less then 50mb apps instead of 200mb+ size that they are

Apps have become larger due to the increasing complexity and richness of features they offer. However, there are strategies to reduce the size of apps, especially games, to make them more manageable and efficient.

One effective approach is to use on-demand resources and background assets. These are Apple frameworks that allow you to pull down additional game data after the app installs. On-demand resources are hosted on the App Store, while background assets are hosted on your own database. This way, you can minimize the initial download size of your app and load additional content as needed, providing a seamless experience for the user.

For example, you can ensure that the initial stages of your game are downloaded at launch, allowing players to start playing immediately. As they progress, you can load the next chapters or levels in the background. This method not only reduces the initial app size but also hides the download progress from players, making it feel like the entire game was playable at launch. If a player reaches an area that hasn't been downloaded yet, you can show the download progress in a non-intrusive way, such as on a level selection screen.

For more details, you can refer to the session Design advanced games for Apple platforms.

Relevant Sessions

1. Design advanced games for Apple platforms
2. Port advanced games to Apple platforms

By leveraging these techniques, developers can create apps that are not only feature-rich but also optimized for size and performance.