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Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

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Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#71

Post by lfowles »

ecf wrote: post #46
xoxoy wrote: post #8

Fortnite of course expected this: seems like they’ve prepared a short video mocking Apple’s old super bowl ad 1984 to premiere in an hour https://twitter.com/fortnitegame/status/1293984290326433792?...

Doesn’t Epic take a cut out of every single purchase made of a game built with Unreal Engine? Seems kinda hypocritical that they’re taking this stance when their licensing model is arguably just as burdensome on developers. In my opinion, Epic should not put their app on the App Store if they don’t like the terms, just as they would tell a developer to not use their engine if they don’t like the terms.

> Doesn’t Epic take a cut out of every single purchase made of a game built with Unreal Engine?

Only those that make >$1mil lifetime gross.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#72

Post by [deleted] »

donor20 wrote: post #25
elliekelly wrote: post #12

What is Apple’s end game here? It seems like they’re fighting a losing battle and digging their own antitrust grave. Pretty clever on Epic’s part to specifically highlight how Apple’s app store fee hits the user directly. Pretty short-sighted of Apple to immediately pull an app for providing consumers with additional disclosure about where their money is going.

Good lord - on HN the monopoly comments are so crazy sometimes. What is the monopoly issue Apple has? Use android if you don't like Apple's product line. Apple is at 22% share.

[deleted]

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#73

Post by aaomidi »

donor20 wrote: post #25
elliekelly wrote: post #12

What is Apple’s end game here? It seems like they’re fighting a losing battle and digging their own antitrust grave. Pretty clever on Epic’s part to specifically highlight how Apple’s app store fee hits the user directly. Pretty short-sighted of Apple to immediately pull an app for providing consumers with additional disclosure about where their money is going.

Good lord - on HN the monopoly comments are so crazy sometimes. What is the monopoly issue Apple has? Use android if you don't like Apple's product line. Apple is at 22% share.

So if in a year a product comes out that I really want to use, the product really wants to support apple, but apple says "no we're not going to allow you". I have to create more ewaste by going and buying an android phone instead?

Is this what we're advocating for? More consumption of rare resources?

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#74

Post by almost_usual »

kevingadd wrote: post #26
adrianmonk wrote: post #20

So, what is Epic's plan? I have to assume they fully expected removal. So they must have some next step in mind. Some kind of legal action? A complaint to regulators or a lawsuit? Are either of those likely to work?

Might be as simple as "let our players do the talking" since Fortnite has a huge audience and many of the players are really passionate.

Apple has more cash stockpiled than most companies on Earth, I think they’ll survive the fallout of Fortnite gamers.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#75

Post by meheleventyone »

ecf wrote: post #46
xoxoy wrote: post #8

Fortnite of course expected this: seems like they’ve prepared a short video mocking Apple’s old super bowl ad 1984 to premiere in an hour https://twitter.com/fortnitegame/status/1293984290326433792?...

Doesn’t Epic take a cut out of every single purchase made of a game built with Unreal Engine? Seems kinda hypocritical that they’re taking this stance when their licensing model is arguably just as burdensome on developers. In my opinion, Epic should not put their app on the App Store if they don’t like the terms, just as they would tell a developer to not use their engine if they don’t like the terms.

Epic only takes a cut when revenue exceeds one million dollars and then only 5% which is considerably less than 30% on every transaction.

I don’t think Epic are against fees so much as against ones as high as in the App Store.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#76

Post by aaomidi »

bredren wrote: post #64
EE84M3i wrote: post #2

The Verge has a statement from apple: https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21366438/apple-fortnite-i...

Concluding points from the statement: >Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely and we’re glad they’ve built such a successful business on the App Store. >The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users.

> Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely

lol.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#77

Post by heavyset_go »

Apple and Google are able to gatekeep what you can install on entire generations of devices, from smartphones to tablets. Their power to gatekeep billion dollar markets needs to be looked at through the lens of antitrust legislation.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#78

Post by dmix »

nabla9 wrote: post #27

Apple platform is closed like gaming consoles. Epic almost certainly knew this was going to happen. I think they are trying to build a case for regulatory intervention. US Antitrust is still in the 80's Chicago School era where antitrust is solely based on consumer benefit and and efficiency. EU has more broad approach where economic power in the public interest is important. It may be up to the EU to change how Appl…

If Epic is planning to rely on US anti-trust intervention, they will be waiting a very long time, even in a best-case scenario situation.

Unless they know something the public doesn't about a prior case file, this stuff takes a long time to be fully investigated and go through the courts.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#79

Post by Leherenn »

elliekelly wrote: post #12

What is Apple’s end game here? It seems like they’re fighting a losing battle and digging their own antitrust grave. Pretty clever on Epic’s part to specifically highlight how Apple’s app store fee hits the user directly. Pretty short-sighted of Apple to immediately pull an app for providing consumers with additional disclosure about where their money is going.

Apple is enforcing its own rules. If they didn't do it, it would open the door for more companies to do bypass them.

It's pretty clear it wasn't a mistake from Epic, so there's no point in dallying.

Re: Apple removes Fortnite from App Store after Epic attempts to bypass fees

#80

Post by frakkingcylons »

ecf wrote: post #46
xoxoy wrote: post #8

Fortnite of course expected this: seems like they’ve prepared a short video mocking Apple’s old super bowl ad 1984 to premiere in an hour https://twitter.com/fortnitegame/status/1293984290326433792?...

Doesn’t Epic take a cut out of every single purchase made of a game built with Unreal Engine? Seems kinda hypocritical that they’re taking this stance when their licensing model is arguably just as burdensome on developers. In my opinion, Epic should not put their app on the App Store if they don’t like the terms, just as they would tell a developer to not use their engine if they don’t like the terms.

Unreal Engine provides a lot more value to game developers than the App Store does as an app distribution platform.
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