Wesley Hilliard
Epic has been joined by Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match to protest how Apple is handling App Store fees and the California anti-steering order, even as Microsoft bills Xbox developers heavily, and Epic attempts to charge a 12% commission in the EU.
Apple and Epic went through a long saga of legal battles over Apple's commission. The result was a resounding victory for Apple in all but one charge, which would require Apple to end its anti-steering policy.
After many failed appeals, Apple was finally forced to comply with the ruling, but how Apple complied hasn't made developers happy. A new report from The Wall Street Journal says four more companies have joined Epic's protests — Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match Group.
An amicus brief filed by the companies complains about Apple's new policies, which allow only one external link and no attempt to push customers to choose one option over the other. If a customer is successfully driven to the external purchase location, Apple still demands a 27% or 12% commission on all digital products sold.
"The Apple Plan comports with neither the letter nor the spirit of this Court's mandate," the amicus brief reads. It claims Apple is making it impossible for developers to choose the new system over in-app purchases.
The claims made by each company suggest Apple's policies will impact thousands of developers and millions of users. Despite these complaints, Apple says it has fully complied with the court order and implemented a system allowing developers to inform customers.
Epic will charge developers 12% in the EUEpic, Microsoft, and Meta's hypocritical stance
Microsoft has its own walled garden with the Xbox console and game store. It charges fees very similarly to Apple's on the App Store. Meta charges similar fees for its Quest platform as well.
And, Epic also has fees. After the Epic event livestream, it explained what was announced in a newsroom post, closing with the following remark:
Finally, we shared more about our plans to bring the Epic Games Store to iOS and Android later this year, expanding developer access to our industry-leading revenue share and launching a true multi-platform store featuring amazing games for players.
Epic's "industry-leading revenue share" is 12% after six months commission-free. That 12% is the same as the reduced Apple take Epic is contesting in the United States.
Every action from Epic shows it would prefer if courts would rule Epic Games should able to do what it wants and owe nothing. It is up to legislators to keep Apple from being unfair, but they should also keep companies like Epic in check.
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Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
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Christine McKee
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13 Comments
Apple provides all of the tools for developers to design and build games on their platform. Whether they charge a fee to the developers at the time of building and designing their app or at the time of install and use, or renewal and in-app purchases - I could care less. Apple deserves to make money off of the platform they have created and the tools they have created... it seems like people are arguing more about whether Apple's cut is the correct amount... which is more of an anti-trust discussion... which the judge rejected.
Victor, it is indeed "remotely the same" insofar as the article states correctly: And, Epic also has fees.
Apple is a platform creator.
Epic is a developer who made a choice to develop on Apple's platform.
Sure that's a difference, but they both make money via fees.
If you are Epic, you will want the "app store concept to die completely." But if you are a platform creator like Apple, you obviously want to keep your profit earning store alive.
People who like Apple's "morality police" tend to stick with Apple's iOS devices, and those who don't like those so-called police, can enjoy the wild west of Android. Why in the world would you, in the name of liberty, want to take away the liberty of people to choose Apple's walled garden? That's right. You re seeking to take away the very thing that keeps people on iOS, only because you seem to prefer iOS on some level, yet you wish to remove a particular aspect which you dislike -- a thing which other people don't necessarily dislike.
With that said, I do disagree somewhat with the closing sentence of the article which states:
"It is up to legislators to keep Apple from being unfair, but they should also keep companies like Epic in check."
Legislators and the Courts do as much harm as good. The more "free" a "free market" system is, with less intervention by Legislators and the Courts, the better.
Why does Apple need a reason to boot Epic off the Apple App Store? Can't Apple just decide I don't like them anymore or I don't want them on our Apple App Store? After all, Apple created it and they maintain it and they should be be able to choose who's on it. Right?
Pretty basic question.