Epic Games CEO Renews Attack on Apple and Calls for Single, Universal App Store

[MacRumors]

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has today renewed his attack on Apple and called for a single, universal app store that works across all platforms (via Bloomberg).

Last year, Epic's popular game "Fortnite" became the subject of heated litigation with Apple and Google over the rate of commission on in-app purchases. After Epic broke App Store rules by implementing a direct payment option, the game was removed from the App Store and Epic's developer account was terminated.

A lengthy legal battle ensued, resulting in the verdict while that Apple's anti-steering conduct is anti-competitive, Apple was correct on on all other counts. Epic Games paid Apple $6,000,000 in lost royalties but has appealed the verdict.

In an interview at the Global Conference for Mobile Application Ecosystem Fairness in Seoul, South Korea, Sweeney said:

What the world really needs now is a single store that works with all platforms. Right now software ownership is fragmented between the iOS App Store, the Android Google Play marketplace, different stores on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, and then Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store.

Sweeney added that Epic Games is working with developers and service providers to create a system to allow users to "to buy software in one place, knowing that they'd have it on all devices and all platforms." Epic Games already offers the Epic Games Store, aimed at PC gamers, which also charges a commission.

There's a store market, there's a payments market, and there are many other related markets. And it's critical that antitrust enforcement not allow a monopolist in one market to use their control of that market to impose control over unrelated markets.

Earlier this year, South Korea passed a bill that prohibits app distribution platforms from forcing developers to use their payment method alone and. Apple will be required to offer multiple in-app payment methods in South Korea, but the company has not yet made any changes to facilitate this.

Sweeney praised the legislation and accused Apple of complying "with oppressive foreign laws" while "ignoring laws passed by Korea's democracy." "Apple must be stopped," he added.

Article Link: Epic Games CEO Renews Attack on Apple and Calls for Single, Universal App Store

 

[djcerla]

Apple must be stopped. We offer to build and manage an Universal App Store at our expense for the benefit of humankind*

*fees may apply

 

[neuropsychguy]

Why stop at a single store? Let’s require a single OS that will work on every device. That way everyone can be miserable together.

 

[senttoschool]

So why doesn't he remove the Epic Games Store first?

 

[giggles]

I want a single store for movies and tv series.

I want name-brand products from one supermarket chain on shelves of other supermarket chains.

I want potato.

 

[antiprotest]

So he wants to eliminate competition and have one monopolistic app store.

 

[CHI-M]

Let's face it, Apple is using it's monopoly power to force developers to use their app store in order for them to install apps on user's phone(and have to pay a tax to do so). How Apple got away with this for so long is beyond me. Imagine if MS locked down Windows and Apple iTunes had to pay MS 30% for every music and app store transaction that occurred on MS windows. Woulda been unheard of. iPod may never existed and digital music downloads may be $1.50 per song vs. $0.99/each.

Bottom line, Mobile Phone OS is no different that desktop OS and the restriction imposed for owners of iPhones from being able to install apps outside app store is outrageous and can't last forever.

 

[Lihp8270]

I want a single store for movies and tv series.

I want name-brand products from one supermarket chain on shelves of other supermarket chains.

I want potato.

In all seriousness the current state of tv streaming is a joke.

With so many different services have different exclusives it’s more expensive than ever if you need multiple providers.

If I want to catch a full football season I’d require Sky + Sky Sports, BTSports, Amazon Prime.

Then there’s shows only available on Netflix, then those only available on NowTV and only available on Disney+.

 

[senttoschool]

Let's face it, Apple is using it's monopoly power to force developers to use their app store in order for them to install apps on user's phone(and have to pay a tax to do so). How Apple got away with this for so long is beyond me. Imagine if MS locked down Windows and in the arly days, Apple iTunes had to pay for every transaction that occurred on MS windows. Woulda been unheard of.

Bottom line, Mobile Phone OS is no different that desktop OS and the restriction imposed for owners of iPhones from being able to install apps outside app store is outrageous and can't last forever.

The difference is that phones have cameras, location tracker, and all these other sensors, contacts list, and other usage data that apps can request access to. PCs didn't have these. A sideloaded app can easily trick your mom and grandma to giving them access to these extremely private data.

 

[Lihp8270]

I wonder if there’s a company who would be interested in making a universal App Store ?

 

[Putzytart]

And who is going to build this so called universal store, and run it, and more importantly, take the profit on sales? Wouldn't one store mean it is now a monopoly? Should we kill all clothing stores now and just have one giant clothing shop?

Sweeney - you now get to have external links to other payment methods on iOS meaning your customers now have an option to not pay the store fee and give you all the money, but otherwise, you lost fair and square in court - suck it up. This conversation is over.

 

[Kkspire]

“Apple is a monopoly.” “I have a solution, justs just have one store” do what now?

You can just read the hatred here. It’s so visceral, he’s now gone crazy.

 

[Serban55]

a single app store that works everywhere...no thank you..i like diversity and competition
If app store would come into android and windows...then play store would be 0

 

[mox358]

This is a really interesting take from Sweeney. Is this the first time he’s openly going after console makers? That’s where they make most of their money, and basically Apple was a test case for them to get the leverage to fight the console makers without biting the hand that feeds. If they get kicked off PS and Xbox stores, it’s game over (literally) for Epic.

 

[CHI-M]

The difference is that phones have cameras, location tracker, and all these other sensors, contacts list, and other usage data that apps can request access to. PCs didn't have these. A sideloaded app can easily trick your mom and grandma to giving them access to these extremely private data.

are you joking? in what world do you live in that PCs/laptops don't have cameras or other sensitive data than what is on your phone. IN most cases one could easily argue the PC having more sensitive data than your phone.

Bottom line, MacOS and WinOS can install apps from any site and the world hasn't stopped, even Android allows installing from outside the google play store. What makes Apple so special to restrict this besides the obvious gain of 30% transaction tax they can impose on app devs. I know the answer, because when you control 56% US marketshare and have a Duopoly, you can get away with it. Not for long I hope.

 

[Lihp8270]

Let's face it, Apple is using it's monopoly power to force developers to use their app store in order for them to install apps on user's phone(and have to pay a tax to do so). How Apple got away with this for so long is beyond me. Imagine if MS locked down Windows and Apple iTunes had to pay MS 30% for every music and app store transaction that occurred on MS windows. Woulda been unheard of. iPod may never existed and digital music downloads may be $1.50 per song vs. $0.99/each.

Bottom line, Mobile Phone OS is no different that desktop OS and the restriction imposed for owners of iPhones from being able to install apps outside app store is outrageous and can't last forever.

The difference is that Microsoft had total domination of the desktop OS market. Yes there were Linux distributions and Macs around. But the reality of that time was that users had no options other than Windows.

With Apple now, users have the choice between iOS and Android, with android having a 73% global market share.

If users don’t like Apples way of operating there are a huge number of choices. Some manufacturers produce android phones of equivalent quality to the iPhone.

 

[Lihp8270]

are you joking? in what world do you live in that PCs/laptops don't have cameras or other sensitive data than what is on your phone. IN most cases one could easily argue the PC having more sensitive data than your phone.

Bottom line, MacOS and WinOS can install apps from any site and the world hasn't stopped, even Android allows installing from outside the google play store. What makes Apple so speical to restrict this besides the obvious gain of 30% transaction tax they can impose on app devs. I know the answer, because when you control 56% US marketshare and have a Duopoly, you can get away.

If you want to install software from other sources. Buy an android device. The choices are there.

Forcing apple to open up the ecosystem REDUCES customer choice.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Wait a minute…he’s arguing for the App Store Or against it?

Either way he sounds ridiculous. Different platforms come with different choices. It’s up to the user to decide what’s best for them, not the government. I’m very left wing on economics but I like that my phone is locked down. If it wasn’t, ATT or VZN could put all kinds of bs on my device.

 

[CHI-M]

The difference is that Microsoft had total domination of the desktop OS market. Yes there were Linux distributions and Macs around. But the reality of that time was that users had no options other than Windows.

With Apple now, users have the choice between iOS and Android, with android having a 73% global market share.

If users don’t like Apples way of operating there are a huge number of choices. Some manufacturers produce android phones of equivalent quality to the iPhone.

I think you havne't looked at the data recently, Let's talk US marketshare since that is what matters if you live in the US. Apple marketshare is in mid 50%, google has the remaining. So Apple/Google is a Duoploy, which is no differnt than a Monopoly. Compare that to Verizon/ATT/tmobile. They can't go running around screwing users, they are highly regulated private entities.

 

[CHI-M]

Forcing apple to open up the ecosystem REDUCES customer choice.

This makes no sense. By definition, to OPEN something increases, NOT reduces.

 

[ManDark]

So he wants to eliminate competition and have one monopolistic app store.

He is just jelous that Epic and his Games are not Firts in the Stores ... an Democracy in Korea ? What, that Guy don't know anything about Democracy and other Countries.

 

[mox358]

are you joking? in what world do you live in that PCs/laptops don't have cameras or other sensitive data than what is on your phone. IN most cases one could easily argue the PC having more sensitive data than your phone.

Bottom line, MacOS and WinOS can install apps from any site and the world hasn't stopped, even Android allows installing from outside the google play store. What makes Apple so special to restrict this besides the obvious gain of 30% transaction tax they can impose on app devs. I know the answer, because when you control 56% US marketshare and have a Duopoly, you can get away with it. Not for long I hope.

He’s absolutely correct. Your phone has WAY more personal data about you than your laptop. Your phone is connected everywhere and collecting data everywhere. Your laptop has data synced to it, but not to the degree of a device you take literally everywhere, including the bathroom for most people.

 

[mazz0]

So, he's completely abandoned any pretence that he's interested in protecting consumer choice. That's an interesting strategy.

Anyway, this is great news. I look forward very much to the end of Epic Game Store exclusives.

 

[Lihp8270]

This makes no sense. By definition, to OPEN something increases, NOT reduces.

Currently users can choose between an open system and freedoms to do what they like. Android.

Uses can choose a closed system that uses a streamlined central ecosystem. Apple.

Forcing apple to become like android removed the closed system choice from consumers.

 

[JtheLemur]