Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#131

Post by n42 » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:06 PM UTC

rsweeney21 wrote: post #109

n42 wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

interesting, then, that he is solely responsible for introducing marketplace exclusivity deals to PC gaming.

PAYING game developers for exclusivity is much different than CHARGING game developers 30% of their revenue. Also, the PC is an open platform. Game developers don't have to use Epic's or anyone else' store to distribute games on PC. With iOS you have no choice.

sure, there is a difference for the developer. anyone who is deluding themselves into thinking that Epic is fighting for the consumer here will be sorely disappointed.

Epic recently raised $1.78 billion dollars in capital. how do you think they intend to deliver a return on such a massive investment?

anyone paying attention to their moves sees this as what it is. Epic wants to be the exclusive destination to build, buy and play video games.

they're fighting Apple because they beat them to the punch. this is not some idealistic martyrdom. it's multi-billion dollar company fights multi-trillion dollar company for market share.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#132

Post by Matticus_Rex » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:06 PM UTC

ahnick wrote: post #77

hnarayanan wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what metric is Apple a monopoly?

Market share in the US mobile OS market. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/united-sta...

Was that supposed to show Apple was a monopoly? Because that's not what it shows.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#133

Post by user5994461 » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:06 PM UTC

rsweeney21 wrote: post #109

n42 wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

interesting, then, that he is solely responsible for introducing marketplace exclusivity deals to PC gaming.

PAYING game developers for exclusivity is much different than CHARGING game developers 30% of their revenue. Also, the PC is an open platform. Game developers don't have to use Epic's or anyone else' store to distribute games on PC. With iOS you have no choice.

Indeed, it is paying in order to make sure that 100% of developer revenues go through one platform... the platform may or may not take a 30% cut.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#134

Post by my123 » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:07 PM UTC

xphilter wrote: post #127

Voliokis wrote: post #91

What in god's name is with all the bootlickers in this thread? I have no love for Apple or Epic. But if this lawsuit leads to better treatment of third-party developers on the platform and Apple not being able to arbitrarily control what apps consumers get to download, I don't see why Epic is being painted as the "bad guy" by so many people here. Apple has been behaving in crazy anti-competitive ways (just look at ho…

Honestly, what is the difference between the App Store and Target? Why should a third party (or court) have any control in what the retailer sells?

Because you don't have switching costs if you want to shop at another retailer than Target, at any time.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#135

Post by DetroitThrow » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:07 PM UTC

nojito wrote: post #108

Voliokis wrote: post #91

What in god's name is with all the bootlickers in this thread? I have no love for Apple or Epic. But if this lawsuit leads to better treatment of third-party developers on the platform and Apple not being able to arbitrarily control what apps consumers get to download, I don't see why Epic is being painted as the "bad guy" by so many people here. Apple has been behaving in crazy anti-competitive ways (just look at ho…

They built the platform. They maintain the platform. They promote the platform. What's arbitrary about that?

Perhaps vindictive, heavy handed, preferential, and self serving are more accurate terms to their app store curation?

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#136

Post by gpm » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:07 PM UTC

alpaca128 wrote: post #107

nobodyshere wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In having App Store as the only way to install common apps for their devices.

But that also applies to every single current game console and almost all other modern devices with app support, ranging from smartwatches to home automation. That doesn't seem like a monopoly to me. Apple has huge competition on the mobile market. Windows Phone 8 only had Microsoft's own app store, was that a monopoly with its <5% market share? I think not.

> But that also applies to every single current game console and almost all other modern devices with app support, ranging from smartwatches to home automation.

That sounds like an argument that "every single current game console and almost all other modern devices with app support" are maintaining monopolies on app distribution on their platform, what's your point? Epic Games is not obligated in any way to sue every company breaking the law just because they chose to sue one that is.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#137

Post by gsich » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:07 PM UTC

xphilter wrote: post #127

Voliokis wrote: post #91

What in god's name is with all the bootlickers in this thread? I have no love for Apple or Epic. But if this lawsuit leads to better treatment of third-party developers on the platform and Apple not being able to arbitrarily control what apps consumers get to download, I don't see why Epic is being painted as the "bad guy" by so many people here. Apple has been behaving in crazy anti-competitive ways (just look at ho…

Honestly, what is the difference between the App Store and Target? Why should a third party (or court) have any control in what the retailer sells?

You don't need Target to get your stuff. You can just buy somewhere else. Try that on iOS.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#138

Post by 2OEH8eoCRo0 » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:07 PM UTC

xphilter wrote: post #127

Voliokis wrote: post #91

What in god's name is with all the bootlickers in this thread? I have no love for Apple or Epic. But if this lawsuit leads to better treatment of third-party developers on the platform and Apple not being able to arbitrarily control what apps consumers get to download, I don't see why Epic is being painted as the "bad guy" by so many people here. Apple has been behaving in crazy anti-competitive ways (just look at ho…

Honestly, what is the difference between the App Store and Target? Why should a third party (or court) have any control in what the retailer sells?

This would be like if there were one single store on the planet and if they don't want to sell your shit everyone just says, "That's their right, shouldn't have gotten into the business of selling things."

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#139

Post by 8note » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:08 PM UTC

oneplane wrote: post #48

leptoniscool wrote: post #24

Apple is a monopoly. When Microsoft was investigated and fined for anti-trust behaviors, it hasn't engaged in this level of abuse.

Microsoft went from open options to package deals with no options. iOS (and vendored Android) started out with nothing, then added a store. There is no precedent on the platforms to point to an "it got worse" scenario. The best (far-fetched) comparisons would be the inability to pick and choose TV packages from your local TV broadcast supplier. Or not having a choice on what firmware your car's infotainment system ru…

It got worse by moving from laptops to phones? I used to use a laptop for the things I use my phone for now

The benefit of phones over laptops is the mobility, and I see no reason why the open options should go away for that mobility

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#140

Post by kodt » Fri, Aug 28, 2020, 10:08 PM UTC

Voliokis wrote: post #91

What in god's name is with all the bootlickers in this thread? I have no love for Apple or Epic. But if this lawsuit leads to better treatment of third-party developers on the platform and Apple not being able to arbitrarily control what apps consumers get to download, I don't see why Epic is being painted as the "bad guy" by so many people here. Apple has been behaving in crazy anti-competitive ways (just look at ho…

I’ve noticed in gaming circles that people are very anti-Epic Games and will take any opposing position no matter the facts.

Epic has been trying to position their own game store as a competitor to Steam. One of the things they have been doing is spending money paying for games to be exclusive to their platform. This is seen as the ultimate evil by gamers who want all of their games in one place (on Steam).