Your original argument seemed to be talking about Fortnite’s security risks which is what I responded to. But having alternate payment method creates a different set of issues on its own which also includes security risks indirectly. First of all, let’s not forget Netflix and Spotify stopped using Apple’s IAP after making sure they have an established user base. Both companies were just fine for many years having access to millions of paying customer base through App Store and pay 30% for it. (The fee is 15% after the first year for reoccurring payments, btw). Did either Netflix or Spotify had any issues when they needed Apple’s platforms? The answer is no.
The major issue with having alternate payment system is customer experience. With IAP, any payments, refunds or conflict resolution is directly handled by Apple. Apple also handles any security or privacy measures as part of the arrangement. With alternate payment methods, Apple can’t control the user experience nor can it protect the customer for potential fraud or privacy issues. It’s all under the discretion of the third party payment service. Apple can’t handle any refunds, disputes or other issues.
At the end of the day, Epic will have the resources to take over these responsibilities but small developers won’t have the same resources to handle these things. That only translates to bad user experience for the consumer. The consumer won’t make that distinction when they become unsatisfied. From financial point of view, for most small developers, paying Apple 30% will be much cheaper than paying for full time staff that handle customer service or outsourcing the job to another service. Game related purchases are mostly impulse purchases. Most people would probably give up making that purchase if it requires extra steps. For Epic, this is a self serving argument while trying to look like hero’s for small developers. They can afford all the things small developers simply can’t.
From Apple’s perspective, this is just bad for user experience while having much less incentive to innovate in App Store space. Why pay billions for a platform if you can’t get ROI on it? When on earth was that ever an acceptance expectation to ask for something for the cost of nothing?