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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

#111

Post by threeseed »

ardit33 wrote: post #45
jaegerpicker wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The own the platform, they designed it, built it, and maintain it. They have every right to set the rules for it.

Until regulations steps in, and mandates to be more fair and open, or to break up the company, or to allow multiple app stores (by competitors). At the end of the day, and iPad is a general computing device, and it will probably be treated as such in courts, where there are precedents on this.

a) There are no rules that mandate that a "general computing device" must be open in whatever arbitrary way you've not defined.

b) There are no precedents that state that a platform must have competing App Stores or make them freely available for anyone to publish. In fact the opposite is the default in companies today e.g. PSN, XBox, Tesla, Shopify, Salesforce.

If you have case law that contradicts this please by all means provide it.

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

#112

Post by molszanski »

xoxoy wrote: post #90
ecf wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

30% is extremely high by any reasonable standard for any marketplace

Doesn't like every online "platform" take 30% cut? Google play, playstation store, steam, xbox store, nintendo store?

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

#113

Post by jdmoreira »

People will take sides in this and I think they will be missing the point. These are just 2 greedy corporations strong-arming each other and trying to win some hearts in the public space. Epic would do the same if they were in Apple's position and Apple would do the same if they were in Epic's position. This is just 21st century politics and it’s all about money.

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

#114

Post by HumblyTossed »

ecf wrote: post #91
slongfield wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If a developer doesn't like Unreal's terms, there are other game engines. If a developer doesn't like Apple's terms, there are no viable alternatives for iOS distribution.

But there are other Smartphone platforms with their own store, correct? I don’t know why people feel it’s their undeniable right to be able to provide an app to iOS users.

It should be an undeniable right that I can use other app stores with my iOS device.

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

#115

Post by bcassedy »

basch wrote: post #69
stefan_ wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This seems like a close and shut case of consumer harm right here.

Apple can argue its 30% surcharge protects consumers from their payment information being tied to each individual product, making canceling easier and buying things safer.

Sure and if they believed consumers value that, they wouldn't object to competing with alternative payment options.

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

#117

Post by cosmotic »

Apple famously makes its money on the hardware; if they claim the cut is for the app store tools, then they better start charging less for the hardware. If the tools are indeed paid for by the hardware sales, they should reduce or eliminate the cut they take.

Based on the reports of how hard it is to develop for the app store and all the third party tools to help deal with signing apps, I have a hard time believing the self-proclaimed greatness of the tools Apple provides.

Apple claims level playing field, but that's obviously nonsense.

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

#118

Post by HatchedLake721 »

shajznnckfke wrote: post #47
CubsFan1060 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Additionally, 10 different payment systems. I trust Apple. I'd like to buy whatever subscription, but now "Joe's email app" wants my credit card number. Now I have to figure out if I trust them as well.

I’m a huge fan of Apple Pay and do not begrudge the 0.15% cut they take on those transactions. The cut they take for App Store purchases is over 100x that amount, which is obscene.

You're comparing apples and oranges, two completely unrelated industries.

One is payment processing, the other's a unified market of 155 countries and 1+ billion users where all the headache of payments, local sales taxes, APIs, etc are taken care of.

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

#119

Post by xmprt »

throwaway413 wrote: post #35
shajznnckfke wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> and I'd actually be happier if Apple took over more of my relationships. I’m really curious what you mean by this. Which additional transactions do you wish Apple would take a 30% cut on? You DoorDash orders, your rent, your salary?

If it meant my work processes were as streamlined and organized as Apple's operating standard? Political antics gone? Safety and security with no negotiation? Tempting... (Just experimenting with the idea, not that I actually agree with this line of thought.)

Would you be willing to pay a 30% "Apple" fee on all transactions because what Apple is doing prevents companies from passing on saving to consumers.
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