Isn’t it just that they are required to use a new bundle ID? Essentially the developer workload imposed here would be changing a single string in a single file (the project’s Info.plist file).
To be sure there are other challenges raised by this for the developer. For example any app specific storage would need to be migrated to the other app, something for which there are mechanisms in the Apple ecosystem as long as the two App IDs in question come from the same developer. If they don’t, then the developer would have to cook up their own solution for that.
Also marketing would be an issue. For example the review history for one app would not be migrated to the other App ID unless Apple provides a way to do this (which I would not expect unless they are forced).
In short, while it’s not zero impact, it’s also not quite as bad as the scare headline makes it sound.
I hadn't even thought about review history, but that's huge - because it gives Apple a justification for putting Tinder Direct lower than Tinder in all search results, simply because it doesn't have a history of reviews!
I like how I didn’t think review history was a big deal but seeing your comment made me realize it is… yes that is a lot of power, being able to rank the new app into oblivion.
I don’t share the thinking that we can immediately conclude this is their goal, but I can see how some might think it is.
To be sure there are other challenges raised by this for the developer. For example any app specific storage would need to be migrated to the other app, something for which there are mechanisms in the Apple ecosystem as long as the two App IDs in question come from the same developer. If they don’t, then the developer would have to cook up their own solution for that.
Also marketing would be an issue. For example the review history for one app would not be migrated to the other App ID unless Apple provides a way to do this (which I would not expect unless they are forced).
In short, while it’s not zero impact, it’s also not quite as bad as the scare headline makes it sound.