Epic Games Store Lures EU Developers With Promise to Pay Apple Fees

[MacRumors]

Epic Games is planning to pay the Apple fees that EU developers incur when distributing their apps through the Epic Games Store, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney told The Verge today.

Epic Games added almost 20 third-party games to its app store on iOS devices in the European Union, where alternate app stores are allowed to operate. Epic also debuted its free games program, and the company says it will pay the Core Technology Fees for iOS developers in the EU who offer their apps for free on the Epic Games Store.

Developers who bring their apps to the Epic Games Store can get their Core Technology Fee (CTF) paid for one year. The CTF is a 0.50 euro fee that developers must pay for every app install, and that fee applies to apps regardless of how they are monetized. It is worth noting that Apple offers CTF exceptions for small developers that include no CTF for a three-year period if the developer is earning under 10 million euros, plus developers that have under a million annual app installs do not pay fees to begin with. Apple also does not charge a fee for developers with a no revenue business that offer apps without monetization.

Sweeney has criticized Apple's Core Technology Fee and app distribution guidelines many times, and he told The Verge today that the CTF is "ruinous for any hopes of a competing store getting a foothold." He further said that it is "not financially viable" for Epic Games to pay Apple's fees longterm, but it plans to do so while it waits to see if the European Union requires Apple to further tweak its rules for third-party marketplaces under the Digital Markets Act.

Epic Games claims that its mobile store can't attract developers because of the fees that Apple charges, with "scare screens" also driving away customers in the EU. "We won't really have app store freedom, even in Europe, and actual user choice and competition, unless the DMA is robustly enforced," Sweeney said.

The Epic Games Store for iOS is only available in the European Union right now because alternative app stores and distribution methods are not allowed in other countries.

Article Link: Epic Games Store Lures EU Developers With Promise to Pay Apple Fees

 

[contacos]

Wow first time hearing that this App Store even launched yet

 

[Joshuaorange]

Mr Sweeney, I want to launch and have you host for free my competing App Store on your App Store. When can we get this done?

 

[GubbyMan]

I have a feeling apple is going to pay a huge fee to EU for taking a fee on free app downloads.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I have a feeling apple is going to get a huge fee from the EU for taking a fee on free app downloads.

Because you think it costs nothing for Apple to provide the service?

My non-profit still has to pay for copies we make at Kinkos. Why should I demand free service from Apple?

 

[lazyrighteye]

The most significant takeaway from this article is that Sweeney is still employed. How?

 

[wbeasley]

I have a feeling apple is going to get a huge fee from the EU for taking a fee on free app downloads.

well if EU had been clearer in their directive... there was nothing saying they couldnt charge a fee and nothing about what would be seen as a reasonable fee.

the whole thing was a sting from day one.

so how is that Alt App Store scene going?
dont hear much about what a success it is... and this story is like Epic are desperate to get other titles on there...

hard fail.
Epic loss...

 

[GubbyMan]

Because you think it costs nothing for Apple to provide the service?

My non-profit still has to pay for copies we make at Kinkos. Why should I demand free service from Apple?

What service are they providing? Let people write their own code and run it on the device they bought. Just like you can do on Mac.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

What service are they providing? Let people write their own code and run it on the device they bought. Just like you can do on Mac.

Ah, that canard...The Mac grew up in a different era; an era where software manufacturers thought they could sell me their software 1 time and then provide lifetime support and upgrades to me for free.

Even though I hate the subscription model of software, I fully understand why it exists. There are ongoing costs for platforms and feature development. The Mac model was formed in naiveté. Now we live in the real world, where we want ongoing support, upgrades and new features. This costs money.

The Mac model is dead everywhere. Unless of course you want to pay for your phone through subscriptions?

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Because you think it costs nothing for Apple to provide the service?

Yes, actually.

Well, with an asterisks. It costs Apple to run their extra third party app store notarization service stuff. The thing is, nobody actually asked them to do that, so it's kind of like the person who cleans your car's windshield and then asks for money...

 

[klasma]

Because you think it costs nothing for Apple to provide the service?

He just said it will cost Apple a huge fee.

 

[jz0309]

Epic Games claims that its mobile store can't attract developers because of the fees that Apple charges, with "scare screens" also driving away customers in the EU

always pointing the finger at others ...
sometimes it helps to look in the mirror ...

 

[GubbyMan]

Ah, that canard...The Mac grew up in a different era; an era where software manufacturers thought they could sell me their software 1 time and then provide lifetime support and upgrades to me for free.

Even though I hate the subscription model of software, I fully understand why it exists. There are ongoing costs for platforms and feature development. The Mac model was formed in naiveté. Now we live in the real world, where we want ongoing support, upgrades and new features. This costs money.

The Mac model is dead everywhere. Unless of course you want to pay for your phone through subscriptions?

But putting apps on alt stores has nothing to do with subscriptions and doesn't cost Apple anything other than not getting a 30% cut.

Apple will argue that their developer tools and APIs will cost money to maintain so they can't provide them for free and maybe they are right about that. Maybe they should sell iOS for money for people that want alternative app stores...

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Yes, actually.

Well, with an asterisks. It costs Apple to run their extra third party app store notarization service stuff. The thing is, nobody actually asked them to do that, so it's kind of like a person who cleans your car's windshield and then asks for money...

OK. How about this for the "I bought my phone so let me do what I want with it!!!!" crowd...

You buy your phone, but you get no security updates, no software updates. Nothing at all. You buy it as is and it stays as is. But then, you could buy software updates and security updates from Apple when you want them.

But the idea that these ongoing services should be given away for free is among the silliest of ideas that the EU and many Macrumors members continue to put forward. Of course, the EU can't compete in the digital world; so that's understandable.

 

[jinnj]

What service are they providing? Let people write their own code and run it on the device they bought. Just like you can do on Mac.

Even on the Mac or Windows the majority of the code is via other libraries.

Mr Sweeney, I want to launch and have you host for free my competing App Store on your App Store. When can we get this done?

Make sure your App Store only allows Steam store apps. Tim would lose it. He mocked Gabe when Valve opened Steam and now MS and Epic are racing to catch up.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

You buy your phone, but you get no security updates, no software updates. Nothing at all. You buy it as is and it stays as is. But then, you could buy software updates and security updates from Apple when you want them.

I would 100% unironically love this. Also, please let me decide when I want to update without nagging me, and if I install an update I bought and don't like it, let me downgrade to an older version again.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

But putting apps on alt stores has nothing to do with subscriptions and doesn't cost Apple anything other than not getting a 30% cut.

Perhaps you missed this: "It is worth noting that Apple offers CTF exceptions for small developers that include no CTF for a three-year period if the developer is earning under 10 million euros, plus developers that have under a million annual app installs do not pay fees to begin with."

Apple will argue that their developer tools and APIs will cost money to maintain so they can't provide them for free and maybe they are right about that. Maybe they should sell iOS for money for people that want alternative app stores...

So now you agree that these things do cost Apple money to provide?

 

[surferfb]

Well, with an asterisks. It costs Apple to run their extra third party app store notarization service stuff. The thing is, nobody actually asked them to do that, so it's kind of like a person who cleans your car's windshield and then asks for money...

I’m pretty sure everyone who doesn’t want iPhone malware running amok asked Apple to do that.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I would 100% unironically love this. Also, please let me decide when I want to update without nagging me, and if I install an update I bought and don't like it, let me downgrade to an older version again.

And it would be a terrible system for Apple, Apple Users, and the world at large. Having large groups of Apple devices that are security-compromised would serve the interests of nobody.

But hey, good thing there's a free market and you can choose other platforms.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

But hey, good thing there's a free market and you can choose other platforms.

I can't because I need access to iMessage. 🤷‍♂️

 

[surferfb]

And it would be a terrible system for Apple, Apple Users, and the world at large. Having large groups of Apple devices that are security-compromised would serve the interests of nobody.

But hey, good thing there's a free market and you can choose other platforms.

Developers too, who won’t be able to assume their users are on a reasonably up to date version of iOS.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I can't because I need access to iMessage. 🤷‍♂️

Hard lesson in life: there are choices to be made.

 

[Mac_fan75]

I am from the EU and will never install this crap from Mr Sweeney the most hyprocite dude in the world.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

The funny thing about this story is that it was always obvious that alternate app stores were never going to be some golden solution to anything, just as alternate app stores are not important in the Android world. It's simply a model that has ceased to be useful in the modern digital world.

But hey, nostalgia!!!!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Competition at work. Developers there are free to weigh where they want to distribute their apps just as anyone making anything are free to decide where they want to distribute whatever their company makes. If they opt for this choice, they've likely made what they see as a good-to-great option for them. And that's actually THEIR business.

If me, I'd maintain my presence in the Apple App Store because that's the long-established standard that most people will use but I'd also get it in every other favorable channel possible so that anyone wanting my app wherever they are shopping can find & buy it "there" too. I'd also offer it through my own website so that those customers who might want to reward the creator of the app as fully as possible could buy it direct from me.

Too many see this as either-or, when it can- and mostly likely will- be just broader distribution opportunities for developers. A very old business rule that always makes sense to business people is try to be wherever buyers are... not in only one place where some buyers may not be when they might want to buy what you have to sell.

Notice how we can buy Apple stuff from Apple's website, from widely dispersed Apple Stores, from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, B&H, etc... even kiosks and technology vending machines in airports. I can get a few things from Apple in my local grocery store. Why doesn't Apple limit the sale of their creations in only their own store? Because- obviously- it's more overall profitable to be everywhere buyers might be than to only have your creations in one place/store. In that way, this offers EU distribution that is much like how Apple markets & distributes their own stuff. Developers have the OPTION- but no obligation- to sell & widely distribute just like Apple does.

"Think different"