Anton Tatarynovich’s Post

Wow, an appstore that only charges a 12% fee? Tim Sweeney is sharing more details about Epic Games's upcoming iOS store - aiming to offer an alternative to Apple's official store. ▶ 12% fee when using Epic's payment processing (compared to Apple's 30%) ▶ 0% fee for 3rd party payment processors, like Appcharge (hey 👋 ) ▶ Store set to launch in the EU "before the end of 2024" So what do you think? Will you release a version of your game in the new Epic store or not? #mobile #mobilegames #epicgames #ios #payments

Judge orders Google to calculate the costs of Epic’s biggest Play Store demand Despite Epic Games’ surprise win at trial, I was skeptical that Judge James Donato would seriously consider forcing Google to let the Epic Games Store live inside its own Google Play Store, and give it access to every app inside Google Play. Those were two of the biggest demands that Epic revealed in April. But Judge Donato is indeed considering them. He’s ordered Google to calculate the costs of complying with those demands by June 24th, one month from today: Google will file by June 24, 2024, a proffer stating in detail the tech work required and economic costs, if any, to provide “Catalog Access” and “Library Porting” to competing app stores for a period of up to 6 years. See MDL Dkt. No. 952 at 7. The proffer may also address tech... Continue reading… https://lnkd.in/gs53tcb7

I find the recent lawsuits by Epic Games and others against the policies of the Apple App Store interesting. On one hand, it can be argued that Fortnite would not be a success without Apple. On the other hand, it can be argued that if there was an alternative App Store, Fortnite might even be more successful. What’s your take? And how do you manage/how should partner relationships change over the course of the solution lifecycle?

Leave it to Apple to make me cheer for Epic Games! This ban also means that Epic Games cannot distribute Fortnite on ANY alternative app marketplace in the EU. Without an Apple Developer account, developers cannot submit apps to Apple for notarization and hence it's a TOTAL BAN. 😲 🤯 The conversation around Apple's App Store practices has shifted dramatically. It's no longer about if Apple stifles competition and dissent, but about the extent of its impact. The term "app annihilation" aptly describes this scenario where Apple's control over entitlements, marketplaces, and notarization doesn't just limit developer freedom but actively undermines the potential for any meaningful competition within its ecosystem. The narrative has evolved, propelled by voices within the tech community and legal challenges that spotlight Apple's actions. This isn't about seeking a balance anymore; it's about confronting a strategy designed to maintain dominance at all costs. Supporting open competition and challenging restrictive practices are crucial steps toward a more equitable ecosystem. #apple #epicgames #fortnite #europe #iOS #appstore #digitalmarketsact

Epic Games will soon open its iOS app store in the European Union following Apple's reversal of its decision to revoke the game publisher's developer license. This decision comes after an inquiry from the European Commission prompted Apple to reinstate Epic Games' developer account, as confirmed by both companies. Epic Games has wasted no time in confirming the launch of the Epic Games Store and the return of Fortnite to iOS devices across Europe. Apple has officially confirmed its decision to reinstate Epic Games' developer agreement, citing adherence to policies outlined in the Digital Markets Act. This move signifies a resolution between the tech giant and the game publisher, marking a positive step forward for both parties. The European Commission has taken credit for the reinstatement of Epic's license, with Commissioner Thierry Breton expressing satisfaction over the outcome. The Commission's swift action following Apple's initial revocation highlights the significance of regulatory oversight in ensuring fair competition within the digital marketplace. The controversy stemmed from Apple's initial revocation of Epic's developer license, which was attributed to criticism from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney regarding the EU's Digital Markets Act. EU regulators launched an investigation into Apple's actions and its compliance with the Digital Services Act, reflecting the growing scrutiny over the tech giant's practices. Acknowledging the European Union's prompt inquiry, Epic's Sweeney has noted the positive impact on the reinstatement of their developer license. The resolution underscores the effectiveness of regulatory intervention in addressing disputes within the tech industry. Meanwhile, the EU's Digital Markets Act, which came into effect on Wednesday, allows for the establishment of third-party app stores and alternative payment options on iOS devices. However, users outside the EU may encounter limitations on updating third-party apps while traveling. #EpicGames #Apple #EuropeanCommission #DigitalMarketsAct #Fortnite #Regulation #AppStore #iOS #DigitalServicesAct #Competition #TechIndustry https://lnkd.in/eYjt-vAa

Apple Approves Epic Games Store for iPhone and iPad in EU At first, Apple refused to approve for the Epic Games Store to be available on iOS in the EU. Nevertheless, Apple has shifted its stance and permitted the app to move forward after some deliberation. The reason for the rejection was mainly because of a small problem with a download button and its corresponding text, which violated rules against developers making apps that may confuse people by looking like products made by Apple. However, Apple still gave the marketplace app the green light but requested Epic to adjust the buttons in a later review process. Although this approval brings Epic one step closer to launching its own iOS store in the EU, it is uncertain how much more work Epic has to do before the store can operate at full capacity. Epic announced in a press release its plan to utilize its developer account to launch the Epic Games Store on iOS devices in Europe, all thanks to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Yet, delays were caused by Apple's initial rejection. Now that Epic has been given the green light, it can move forward with its plans, although some modifications are needed. Epic Games has recently declared that its iOS game store, which was sideloaded, has completed Apple's submission checks. Yet, the procedure faced challenges as the store's buttons closely mirrored those found on the official App Store. Despite this, Apple has approved the sideloaded Epic Games Store, enabling Epic to proceed with its marketplace on iOS devices. #apple #epicgames #opensource #technews #letscode #eu

Apple terminates Epic Games developer account calling it a ‘threat’ to the iOS ecosystem Apple announced that it has terminated Epic Games’ developer account. The decision comes in response to Epic Games’ criticism of Apple’s decisions and efforts to increase competition in digital markets. Epic Games interpreted Apple’s move as an intention to prevent real competition on iOS devices. Epic Games heavily criticized Apple’s move In a statement posted on the company blog, Epic Games says that Apple’s termination of its developer account removes a potential competitor to the App Store and shows other developers “what happens when you try to compete with Apple or criticize their unfair practices.” Apple states that it cannot be sure that Epic will comply with its Developer Program's guidelines and policies in the future, which is one of the reasons why the company terminated its developer account. Apple's termination will impact Epic's decision to launch an Epic Games store on iOS in the EU. The game store would have been used to bring Fortnite to the iPhone. The changes were expected to arrive with the release of iOS 17.4, and it appears that Epic will continue struggling to bring the highly popular Battle Royale title to the iPhone. According to Epic's press release: "In terminating Epic's developer account, Apple is taking out one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store. They are undermining our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices." Epic CEO Tim Sweeney recently took a dig at Apple, criticizing Apple's solution to the changes imposed by the Digital Markets Act in the EU. This is not the first time the two companies have exchanged unpleasantries, as the legal battle initiated back in 2020 when Fortnite introduced a third-party payment system. This made Apple remove the app from the App Store due to Epic's violation of the App Store guidelines. However, the legal battle is far from over at this stage. We will keep you updated on the latest as soon as the news develops. Do you think Apple did the right thing by terminating Epic Games Sweden's developer account? Let us know in the comments.

Fortnite is back on iOS! Epic Games has settled with Apple, ending the battle over app store policies. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/efwSY2XH. This is more than just a headline. It reflects the growing power of creators and the shifting landscape of app stores. Will this settlement pave the way for more open digital ecosystems? Or is it just the beginning of future antitrust battles? The impact on developers and the creator economy is huge. What’s your take on this development? Let's discuss in the comments! #Fortnite #Apple #AppStore #CreatorEconomy #Antitrust

🎮Fortnite's Epic iOS Return in Europe 🇪🇺📱 >>> https://bit.ly/3P54BjW - Fortnite back on iOS via Epic Store - Enabled by EU's Digital Markets Act - Epic criticizes Apple's new fees - A new chapter for app competition #Fortnite #iOS #EpicGamesStore #EU #DigitalMarketsAct

Fortnite creator Epic Games revealed that their App Store rival was rejected by Apple for being too similar to its own. This move was deemed "arbitrary, obstructive," and in violation of EU rules. The rejection highlights the ongoing battle between the two companies, with Epic Games accusing Apple of creating a monopoly in the mobile app market. The rejection came just days after Epic Games filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the tech giant's App Store policies are anti-competitive. The App Store is the sole distribution platform for iOS apps, and Apple takes a 30% cut from all in-app purchases made through the store. According to Epic Games, their App Store rival, called the Epic Games Store, offers users a choice and avoids the hefty 30% commission. They also argue that Apple's rejection of their store is a violation of EU rules, which prohibit companies from abusing their dominant market position. Apple, on the other hand, maintains that their policies are fair and have benefitted many developers. They state that the Epic Games Store violates App Store guidelines, specifically the ones related to in-app purchases. The rejection has sparked a heated debate among industry experts and has once again put the spotlight on Apple's control over the App Store. This latest development is sure to have far-reaching implications for both companies and the future of mobile app distribution. It also raises questions about the fairness of the current app ecosystem and whether changes need to be made to level the playing field for all developers. #Fortnite #EpicGames #Apple #AppStore #EPICvsApple #AntitrustLawsuit #MobileApps #TechNews #Competition #Monopoly #EU #AppDistribution