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Nice try Epic. Try to make it sound like alternative payment systems were the problem, not the fact that you planted illegal code in your application and remotely activated functionality in violation of your contract.
Apple can still use that excuse to ban the app if they found that Epic is still doing it.
 
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I’m curious.

Can’t Apple just say no we’re not doing business with you.

It’s their App Store

Dont forget that Apple is still waiting for the result from the court. Since South Korea passed the bill, both USA and EU might pass the same bill once the law suit is over.

And doesn't matter. Both Apple and Google are doing monopoly.
 
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Wow. Its a wonder how Macs ever existed based on that explanation, considering how essentially unused the Mac App Store is.

Microsoft should have declared bankruptcy ages ago based on the lack of Windows app install monopoly / monetization.

Nevermind that Apple is one of the most profitable companies that has ever existed. Yeah of course they NEED that 30% app cut, they'd disappear tomorrow without it.
Microsoft has a different business model for Windows. They sell the OS and charge a lot for developer tools. For Xbox, it is similar to the Apple App Store where they take a cut.
 
Ah good point.

But couldn't I buy VBucks elsewhere and have them show up in the iOS app?

Forgive me as I've only played Fortnite on the PC. And not very much. :)

I just know that you can buy VBucks giftcards at the freakin' grocery store... so you can obviously buy VBucks in places other than in the app. Clearly Apple's IAP isn't the only way to buy this digital currency.

That's why I was wondering why Epic didn't just let people buy VBucks from their own website or store or whatever.

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I never played fortnite and probably never will (RTS die-hard fan, f*** FPS and battle royale), so I have no idea this is a thing.

Anyway, outside of Fortnite, I really doubt other game developers gonna bother the hassle to introduce "gift card" and sell those in-game goods that way. Most would just stick to App Store and call it a day.
 
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because they want to be cheap and not pay their fair share. 30% is perfectly fine, they wouldn't of had any income if not for apple on their platform. apple doesn't need them, they need apple.
pay to play or get out.

I disagree with all the regulators trying to screw apple into making them operate for free or making them side load etc.. when people make their own software/hardware they can sell it however they want. stop crippling iPhone and turning it into a stupid android.

I hope apple iron fist them and tells them no. I truly do. pound sand epic.
What? They would have no income if it weren’t for Apple? Do you even know who Epic IS? 🙄
 
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Different argument. Sure, what Epic essentially wanted is an alternate app store (their own). But the context here is simply allowing alternate payment system for apps. Apple will definitely not want the former, but they can certainly compromise on the latter. It's already shown how little it will affect Apple since the big ones like Netflix and Spotify have already not used Apple's IAP. Smaller developers will continue using Apple's IAP since setting up your own payment system is actually not that easy (add on all the accountings you need to do). Only the big developers would probably do it since they already have one to begin with.
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?
 
Wow, the sea has changed .... (...better make a note of that)

I don't think Apple can allow in some countries, but not others. Apple is in U.S....
 
Wow, South Korea find a solution that benefits Samsung.

Anyway, I think the inevitable solution to this is that instead of the current dynamic pricing solution, Apple will institute something like a $3 minimum license distribution and listing fee per download to all developers over a certain size, but lets EPIC use their own payment platform.

In the end, EPIC will screw it up for everyone, but mostly themselves.
 
For the same reason your landlord charges you rent for 30 days even though you probably spend most of your day at work or outside. Just because you may only sleep and take showers in your apartment doesn’t mean your landlord’s cost of maintaining your apartment is any lower. That’s why.

P.S. In this analogy, Apple is actually better than your landlord since developers can keep 100% of the revenue generated through ads. You don’t get this type of privilege with your landlord. Are we clear now?
That's probably one of the most ridiculous analogies I have ever read.
 
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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?
I won't use anything but Apples payment system. It works, its easy, I dont have to share my information with some unknown database and I know Apple will have my back as they have in the past with any issues. Will Epic?
 
Dont forget that Apple is still waiting for the result from the court. Since South Korea passed the bill, both USA and EU might pass the same bill once the law suit is over.

And doesn't matter. Both Apple and Google are doing monopoly.
Except the U.S. is not a party to any international treaty that governs recognition of foreign court judgments.

Also, I think you should look into what monopoly really means. You appear to have complete misunderstanding of the term.
 
"If you're not with us, you're against us." -Apple (according to some folk around here)
This isn’t an Apple specific argument we are defending. If this was about my local supermarket rejecting the idea of milk supplier bypassing the supermarket’s cash registers all the while occupying shelf space, our argument would be the same.

Can you walk in your super market and walk out with a jug of milk that you did not pay for at the cash register? The answer is no. Very simple logic and real life examples that you see everyday but somehow you fail to understand why Apple is right not letting that happen.
 
Jesus……

I feel people who says what South Korea Doing is wrong don’t like choices. They prefer one singular solution that fits all, however bad it might be.

The whole point of these legal battles, legislations, investigations, complaints, are to offer choices. If apples payment system is THAT GOOD, there would be no complaints or at most very few and far away, not something that is collective and powerful enough. Choice is also a fundamental concept in democracy. You can choose to use apple system and no problem. Apple should be able to find their own way to handle third party payments while maintaining as much of what they brag about as possible.

If third party payment solution isn’t that popular, maybe it will be ditched later. Who knows.

Also, physical store analogy does NOT apply to digital world. Stop using any of those analogies.
 
Apple can still use that excuse to ban the app if they found that Epic is still doing it.

Pretty sure Apple can ban the app because they don't like the color of Epic's logo. The law says they have to allow payment options in all apps on the app store and not that they have to approve all apps.
 
Jesus……

I feel people who says what South Korea Doing is wrong don’t like choices. They prefer one singular solution that fits all, however bad it might be.

The whole point of these legal battles, legislations, investigations, complaints, are to offer choices. If apples payment system is THAT GOOD, there would be no complaints or at most very few and far away, not something that is collective and powerful enough. Choice is also a fundamental concept in democracy. You can choose to use apple system and no problem. Apple should be able to find their own way to handle third party payments while maintaining as much of what they brag about as possible.

If third party payment solution isn’t that popular, maybe it will be ditched later. Who knows.

Also, physical store analogy does NOT apply to digital world. Stop using any of those analogies.
You may not be aware you inadvertently actually defended Apple’s stance even though you intended to do the opposite.

Do you know what is the one fits all solution you say SK prefers? App Store. All the discovery of apps and purchases happen on one platform that being handled by one company. It’s the ultimate customer experience every customer-facing company tries to achieve.

Do you know who else has choices and free will as part of democratic structure? Developers! Apple doesn’t prevent anyone from developing apps for other platforms. Developers agree to Apple’s TOS with their own free will. If you don’t like it, you are free to do something else. Capitalism is a big part of democratic countries and too much government oversight is generally seen as a negative for the democratic structures.

And why do you say physical store analogies doesn’t apply? Epic used to charge other software developers 60% for hosting their games in their own brick and mortar stores in the 90s. You were probably not even born when this was happening. Those analogies apply perfectly. It’s the same exact business concept regardless what type of store we are talking about.
 
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Explain the “monopoly” part of your comment. I have a feeling you may not exactly know what monopoly really means.
You know precisely what I'm talking about. Your attempt at "gotcha" with a cute internet meme doesn't fly with me
 
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