Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#61

Post by nottorp » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:19 AM UTC

Rinzler89 wrote: post #39

Unbefleckt wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

It's a problem for those who already bought Apple and didn't know any better or didn't care. Also, not everyone likes the only available other alternative, which is Google, as while they allow sideloading, they're still a privacy nightmare ad-ware company. The mobile space really needs a shake-up from the entrenched duopoly as currently the choice are a rock or a hard place.

Yep, it's not like you have a choice in the mobile space. You can pick one of the two bad choices.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#62

Post by musicale » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:21 AM UTC

If there's one thing we can all agree on it is that there should be laws to enable Epic to pay lower commissions on Apple's game store than it pays on other game stores.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#63

Post by DEADMINCE » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:25 AM UTC

Rinzler89 wrote: post #39

Unbefleckt wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

It's a problem for those who already bought Apple and didn't know any better or didn't care. Also, not everyone likes the only available other alternative, which is Google, as while they allow sideloading, they're still a privacy nightmare ad-ware company. The mobile space really needs a shake-up from the entrenched duopoly as currently the choice are a rock or a hard place.

> It's a problem for those who already bought Apple and didn't know any better or didn't care. Also, not everyone likes the only available other alternative, which is Google, as while they allow sideloading, they're still a privacy nightmare ad-ware company.

If you do care about privacy and having control of your own hardware, Google is the only choice, and that should be very obvious. Not because Android is so much better, but because you have a lot of options, even using a custom rom if you want. No such option with Apple.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#64

Post by Longhanks » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:26 AM UTC

arghwhat wrote: post #15

deutschepost wrote: post #2

Although this is good news, Epic will still have to pay Apples Core Technology Fee. For most developers this will be a deal breaker, because it also applies to free software which most of the time is only supported by donations.

For now, Apple has been found non-compliant with DMA and will probably have to remove it.

No, for now, there are investigations whether Apple is compliant or not. Vestager's opinion does not automatically become the truth.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#65

Post by jsheard » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:27 AM UTC

nottorp wrote: post #22

supermatt wrote: post #5

That third party app stores are subject to review by apple is a problem in itself.

That the only way to get applications on your phone is going through Apple, or a gatekeeper approved by apple, is a problem in itself too. That the first "app store" approved is built on predatory free to play gaming money is also a problem.

...is the official App Store not built on predatory free to play gaming money? The top grossing games on iOS are all "free", and they have no rules against the most exploitative types of F2P monetization (gacha/pseudo-gambling). They have even featured gacha games like Genshin Impact during their launch events.

Apple had no qualms about Fortnites monetization model when it was in the App Store either, other than the fact that Epic tried to cut them out of the payment loop.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#66

Post by DEADMINCE » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:28 AM UTC

nottorp wrote: post #56

caseyy wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is “predatory free to play” in the context of Fortnite?

Fortnite isn't financed from IAPs? Tencent didn't get all their investment money from Gacha in the asian market? And please don't tell me Tencent is a minority investor or that there are non predatory IAPs or I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

None of that matters.

The owner of a game doesn't dictate whether the game is predatory or not, the behavior of the game does.

The free to play model isn't inherently predatory, either, although certain companies certainly are. Call of Duty seems especially predatory.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#67

Post by DEADMINCE » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:30 AM UTC

Hamuko wrote: post #47

nottorp wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That the only way to get applications on your phone is going through Apple, or a gatekeeper approved by apple, is a problem in itself too. That the first "app store" approved is built on predatory free to play gaming money is also a problem.

"Gatekeeper approved by Apple" is not entirely accurate since Apple also gatekeeps what that gatekeeper can actually approve. All apps in third-party app stores must be notarized and Apple has complete control of what apps get notarized. UTM for example is not allowed on iOS even on third-party app stores since Apple has denied them notarization. It's more of a choice between Apple, or Apple + third-party gatekeeper.…

It's going to be amazing watching Apple accept that they have to remove their stupid, anti-consumer and limited restrictions, at least in the EU.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#68

Post by solarkraft » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:31 AM UTC

> Before Apple's announcement, Epic said the iPhone maker had twice rejected documents the video-game publisher submitted to launch the Epic Games Store because the design of certain buttons and labels was similar to those used by its App Store.

This is illegal and I hope it leads to Apple being disallowed to still insert itself into the distribution process at all, which should’ve been the case from the start.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#69

Post by DEADMINCE » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:31 AM UTC

immibis wrote: post #19

supermatt wrote: post #5

That third party app stores are subject to review by apple is a problem in itself.

It's Apple blatantly violating the Digital Markets Act, because it thinks it is above the law (and to be fair, in the USA, it is). The EU has acknowledged this and is currently preparing a truly massive punishment for Apple. Apple, being unaccustomed to having rules apply to it, seems to be ignoring this.

I mean, if it's too much, they will just pull out of the EU and sell to Europeans via online only. EU citizens will still be Apple customers, just without any EU protections.

To be fair, the EU is being a bit ridiculous sometimes. Apple decided not to compete in the EU because of the restrictions, and the EU seemingly wanted to penalize that decision also.

Re: Apple okays Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

#70

Post by solarkraft » Sat, Jul 06, 2024, 10:33 AM UTC

rambambram wrote: post #33

The title alone makes me shiver. Apple "okays" what a government orders them to do. What!?? You and I look right through this power language, but this kind of wording makes people believe Apple is mightier than it is. It's disgusting from Reuters.

It’s not disgusting from Reuters, it’s disgusting from the EU allowing Apple to still gate keep the distribution process. The hoops you still have to jump through are insane and prohibitive for most people.

I STILL can’t install my smartwatches discontinued app because the notarization will most likely be rejected (as I’m not the creator).