It’s almost like they’re punishing Apple‘s customers to try and apply pressure to Apple. Like this whole thing was a PR stunt because Epic don’t actually have any confidence in their legal arguments...
But no, that couldn’t possibly be! 🤭
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Epic Games Confirms New Fortnite Season Won't Be Available on iOS or Mac
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It’s almost like they’re punishing Apple‘s customers to try and apply pressure to Apple. Like this whole thing was a PR stunt because Epic don’t actually have any confidence in their legal arguments...
But no, that couldn’t possibly be! 🤭
70% isn't good enough so we prefer 0%!
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
Agreed, but that's the trick isn't it?
Apple is providing ALL developers the incentive of accessing their platform. A platform that has consistently demonstrated that:
A. Has an enormous amount of loyal, well-paid customers
B. Those customers pay more for apps than customers in any other platform
C. That platform doesn't depend on any single app type to be great
All of those devs would have to ignore all that potential money if they leave.
Would you, given the above? I sure wouldn't.
That's why most develop for iOS first, then Android in many cases.
Also, the bigger issue includes government intervention regarding the mechanisms for revenue generation WITHIN an business.
This is getting stupid now, and whilst Epic have a strong argument for the App Store rules needing to at the very least be debated before change. Until that happens, the status quo stands.
So like the judge said yesterday, this is a problem of their own making and this whole victim angle is very quickly wearing thin.
Epic could very easily get themselves back on the App Store. But they have chosen not too. Principled or not, they clearly don’t care much for their existing customers.
So like the judge said yesterday, this is a problem of their own making and this whole victim angle is very quickly wearing thin.
Epic could very easily get themselves back on the App Store. But they have chosen not too. Principled or not, they clearly don’t care much for their existing customers.
Xbox takes 30% of the full game purchase but not that specific percentage for DLC and other microtransactions.
I assume all platforms take % cuts it is nowhere near as high for IAP. If I'm wrong, please show me where that's indicated.
Epic is known for their 12% cut in their own game store which is a lot lower than the competition - and developers are flocking to their service as a result. Their model does work.
My understanding is that once the new season is released, which is soon, you can’t play on any iOS device because you won’t be able to update.
Yes, they all take 30% on microtransactions
Why Is 'Fortnite' Off The App Store But Still Available On Consoles? - BGR
Epic Games sued Apple and Google last week after Fortnite was removed from the App Store and Google Play Store Epic Games believes the 30%…
bgr.com
They were probably behind schedule on development and in danger of missing the promised release date. Rather than push it back, they came up with this publicity stunt. Had the judge granted Epic what they wanted, they'd be saying "we still have to release the iOS version later due to Apple's 2-3 week block." Either way, they have a story that doesn't make them the bad guy.
Let me be clear, CLEARLY Epic is doing this on purpose. They chose the 2 week timeframe before their new season drop on purpose so that if not resolved, their customers would suffer and not be able to get content and then be mad at Apple.
But I also get the reason for not wanting to blindly accept terms because "that's just how it is."
It kills me that I can't get xCloud or any gaming streaming service on my iPhone because Apple deems it not appropriate for their app store. If you weren't allowed to switch from Safari on your Mac or use another payment method besides Apple Pay, you'd be pretty pissed off too.
But I also get the reason for not wanting to blindly accept terms because "that's just how it is."
It kills me that I can't get xCloud or any gaming streaming service on my iPhone because Apple deems it not appropriate for their app store. If you weren't allowed to switch from Safari on your Mac or use another payment method besides Apple Pay, you'd be pretty pissed off too.
70% on fake money, different colored pixels, and stolen dance moves!
Yes, it *apparently* works for Epic. In no way does it mean it would work for Apple. Two very different companies.
"...which is a lot lower than the competition"
Because it likely doesn't work for their competition.
The customer is the biggest loser and Epic doesn’t care Epic will lose more money by losing the Apple base than the 30 % that they’re are balking about
That's because apple needs to approve each game on it's store. A streaming service allows many games on the platform without being reviewed or approved. That's the issue here. I have no doubt that apple and Microsoft will "soon" come to some sort of agreement to allow it.
I'm not 100% sure I understand Epic's stand on this on the one side Epic is to greedy to fork over the 30% App Store fee - that is industry standard as far as I know Microsoft X-Box, Playstation etc charge similar fees for their platforms. On the other side they are loosing out on millions of dollars of business completely for not being on one of the bigger platforms.
...and didn't Epic pull a similar stunt with android as well? Epic is just getting out of the mobile gaming altogether? I would assume that mobile is a huge revenue stream for them? no?
I think it is a huge misstep for Epic yes it would hurt your ego a bit to pay the 30% but if I would run that business I take the 30% to make millions it just comes with the territory.
...and didn't Epic pull a similar stunt with android as well? Epic is just getting out of the mobile gaming altogether? I would assume that mobile is a huge revenue stream for them? no?
I think it is a huge misstep for Epic yes it would hurt your ego a bit to pay the 30% but if I would run that business I take the 30% to make millions it just comes with the territory.
Lets understand the impact to all those involved.
Epic: Little impact since majority of their players are on PC and Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft consoles. It's relatively easy to switch from Apple to another platform to continue playing Fortnite such as with low cost $199 Nintendo Switch Lite. The positive for Epic is development savings since there's two less platforms to support that have relatively little gaming market share. Considering hosting is dirt cheap a 15% fee is more reasonable instead of nearly a third.
Customers: Demonstrates Apple's overbearing control of devices customers have fully paid for to disrupt apps and services that customers have already invested in. Any respectable company will allow existing players to continue playing while only impacting new players. If Apple can disrupt Fortnite then they will have no issue disrupting Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc. One of the primary concerns that Apple is switching Macs from x64 to Apple silicon to have more overbearing control.
Apple: Potentially putting the nails into its own coffin just as the platform is crawling back from gaming relevancy since the Apple II about 40 years ago. Investing in developers is investing in your own platform. Without developers the platform is dead. Major issue if it's not just Epic but other gaming developers that follow suit.
Epic: Little impact since majority of their players are on PC and Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft consoles. It's relatively easy to switch from Apple to another platform to continue playing Fortnite such as with low cost $199 Nintendo Switch Lite. The positive for Epic is development savings since there's two less platforms to support that have relatively little gaming market share. Considering hosting is dirt cheap a 15% fee is more reasonable instead of nearly a third.
Customers: Demonstrates Apple's overbearing control of devices customers have fully paid for to disrupt apps and services that customers have already invested in. Any respectable company will allow existing players to continue playing while only impacting new players. If Apple can disrupt Fortnite then they will have no issue disrupting Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc. One of the primary concerns that Apple is switching Macs from x64 to Apple silicon to have more overbearing control.
Apple: Potentially putting the nails into its own coffin just as the platform is crawling back from gaming relevancy since the Apple II about 40 years ago. Investing in developers is investing in your own platform. Without developers the platform is dead. Major issue if it's not just Epic but other gaming developers that follow suit.
One of the biggest of which is that it’ll actually run better
I like having apps, yes. If all developers pull their apps, it’ll hurt them a LOT more than me. A month from now, I’ll still be living in the same place, eating the same food (er, the same TYPE of food
), driving the same car. I doubt many of the smaller ones would be able to say the same.It’s more that ’Apple has the right to take 30 percent cause that’s the current going rate that you have to agree to before you release your app on the App Store’.
You know, I was thinking this, too. Maybe they determined that the money they’re making in the mobile space is not worth it, so they were planning to dump that business anyway. BUT, decided to use that reality to try to solidify a place in this future where apps will be delivered primarily through trusted stores that aren’t theirs. But, in the end it doesn’t make sense because they’re still developing the Android app, soooo I got nothin’.
Steam isn't necessarily hurting from the lack of these titles on their store but Ubisoft and a bunch of other developers have gone exclusively towards Epic Games. In the long run, Epic will make out because it's the only way to get the game on your PC.
This one is on epic. They can simply undo their update causing the violation and the game and it's updates can continue uninterrupted. No customers impacted. Epic has complete control over this.
Legal proceedings can proceed during this time and epic can still rake in 70%.