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Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

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Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#111

Post by Osiris »

eggbrain wrote: post #29
lordleft wrote: post #6

Imagine if Microsoft did this on PCs. a) prohibiting the installation of non-windows store software (sideloading) and b) insisting that all purchases done via apps give them a 30% cut. I think this is a ridiculous practice on the behalf of Apple.

I mean, couldn't we just replace Microsoft->Sony and PC->Playstation and the argument falls apart a bit? > Imagine if Sony did this on Playstation. a) prohibiting the installation of non-PlayStation games and b) insisting that all purchases done via their store give them a 30% cut. Many platforms are like this -- and many also have the majority marketshare. Is this a call to redefine what platforms can and cannot con…

I don't think it's a stretch to say that these platforms are being monopolistic either. Why should you not be able to write your own game and sell DVDs of it for people to play?

Of course, in this case piracy would be the primary reason for the restriction, but I think it's valid to look at places where the platform is controlled by a single vendor.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#113

Post by pneill »

reissbaker wrote: post #31
s3r3nity wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imagine if Microsoft only had 14% global market share.* [*] https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share

iOS market share in the US — which certainly is something US courts would care about — is nearly 60%. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/united-sta...

60% != 100%. There is consumer choice.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#114

Post by Osiris »

quwert95 wrote: post #66
eggbrain wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, couldn't we just replace Microsoft->Sony and PC->Playstation and the argument falls apart a bit? > Imagine if Sony did this on Playstation. a) prohibiting the installation of non-PlayStation games and b) insisting that all purchases done via their store give them a 30% cut. Many platforms are like this -- and many also have the majority marketshare. Is this a call to redefine what platforms can and cannot con…

Funny you mention Sony -- Linux support on the PS3 turned into a big deal. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OtherOS ) Historically, other game consoles could be used a "general purpose computing devices," such as the Sega Dreamcast with Windows CE and the Nintendo Famicom (which is short for Family Computer).

Big enough deal for them to remove it...

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#115

Post by SolarNet »

mullingitover wrote: post #94
mrspeaker wrote: post #46

If I go to the App Store on my phone, and go to my "Purchased" list, Fortnite is still listed there. I wasn't up to date, and clicking on "update" gives the message: "Fortnite" No Longer Available. The developer has removed this app from the App Store. Interesting wording. I wonder if they only have one message for pulled-by-Apple vs pulled-by-dev?

Epic effectively pulled it themselves when they unilaterally broke their agreement. I think Apple's cut is egregious but at the same time, they're not a monopoly. My main gripe is that they're behaving as if they're bringing value that the developers are riding on, when in reality nobody would buy iPhones if it weren't for the value that many developers are bringing to the platform, often at no cost to Apple.

> they're not a monopoly

As is well known with anti-trust lawsuits that depends on how one defines market.

As is less known, anti-trust lawsuits don't actually require monopolies.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#116

Post by Jellyd »

downvoteme1 wrote: post #43

I think that Apple will prevail in this legal fight . Apple is in good terms with this administration. Even when the social media has taken the blame by Congress, it has been google, Facebook and Twitter that have come under fire - but Apple not so much. And currently the US is in a position where how heavy handed the treatment is dependent on your relationship with the administration.

Regulation isn't done by the administration. There is a specific bipartisan antitrust committee that handles these issues.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#117

Post by recklesstodd »

immigrantsheep wrote: post #52
recklesstodd wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Valve is anticipating such move in a near future and investing in gaming on Linux.

AFAIK Valve already tried the whole Linux as a gaming platform thing and gave up completely a few months ago.

Valve is actively contributing to Proton and the number of supported games increases continuously. https://www.protondb.com/ tracks the playability of each game in Linux.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#118

Post by dwheeler »

WWLink wrote: post #86
dpkonofa wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a little silly as an example because AOL was exactly like this back in the day and had curated channels. You could still access external sites if AOL was your ISP as well but anything inside of the AOL application was reviewed by AOL. Also, the web is not even a great analogy period since it wasn't created by a private company. Apple created their phones, their App Store, they maintain it, and they provide the…

Yeah but this is as if you bought an AOL computer that did nothing but AOL. And AOL had absolute authority on what you could do on your computer. I know, I know, people who bought iPhones knew what they were buying into.

Actually, I don't think most people who buy iPhones have any idea what they're buying into. They're buying a phone. In some cases, they're buying an iPhone to access things like FaceTime. if they want to communicate with their friends then they must buy an iPhone.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#120

Post by blkhp19 »

nojs wrote: post #102
lordleft wrote: post #6

Imagine if Microsoft did this on PCs. a) prohibiting the installation of non-windows store software (sideloading) and b) insisting that all purchases done via apps give them a 30% cut. I think this is a ridiculous practice on the behalf of Apple.

I fear that macOS is going this way. The amount of hoops to jump through to run third party apps seems to grow with every release.

You literally just right click and open. Hardly a hoop.
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