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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

#421

Post by cellar_door »

inopinatus wrote: post #361
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.

This misrepresents and skips over Apple’s great offence, which is why a bunch of others who don’t know the half of it are piping up with their comparisons to the PlayStation store etc. The most egregious part of Apple’s rules, and the reason that online service providers have a special loathing, is that apps are disallowed from linking to, advertising, or even mentioning that it is possible to sign up/subscribe/buy/r…

It's the pricing too. Apple's 30% fee on the payment processing for in app purchases is insane and clearly anti-competitive. Developers can use Stripe, Paypal, etc for literally 10x less.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#422

Post by ekianjo »

wombatmobile wrote: post #324
simonh wrote: post #290

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Microsoft already does exactly this on console. When will we see the Google Stadia game streaming app on the XBOX? Does Microsoft really not take a cut of VBucks bought on the Microsoft store? This is just three big corporations fighting over their respective slices of the pie, if you think any of this is being said or done for your benefit I’m sure Epic has a plentiful supply of really tasty Koolaid for you. But no…

> This is just three big corporations fighting over their respective slices of the pie Yes, this is how capitalism works. The companies can be started by virtuous, far-sighted dreamers, like Steve Wozniak, Larry Page and John Lennon, but then they get infused by money from venture capitalists and investors who just want ROI. Once they hire more than 5000 people, the edges of the company are not controlled by dreamers…

Was ever Steve Jobs a virtuous dreamer? He was a good designer and visionary but virtuous does not come to mind when I think about him.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#423

Post by mr_toad »

simonh wrote: post #290
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.

Microsoft already does exactly this on console. When will we see the Google Stadia game streaming app on the XBOX? Does Microsoft really not take a cut of VBucks bought on the Microsoft store? This is just three big corporations fighting over their respective slices of the pie, if you think any of this is being said or done for your benefit I’m sure Epic has a plentiful supply of really tasty Koolaid for you. But no…

I’d love to see multiple legitimate cross platform stores, especially Steam.

But I don’t trust game developers to run those stores. They’re total cowboys and they’d probably be full of security holes and privacy issues.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#424

Post by JiNCMG »

FridgeSeal wrote: post #409
simonh wrote: post #290

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Microsoft already does exactly this on console. When will we see the Google Stadia game streaming app on the XBOX? Does Microsoft really not take a cut of VBucks bought on the Microsoft store? This is just three big corporations fighting over their respective slices of the pie, if you think any of this is being said or done for your benefit I’m sure Epic has a plentiful supply of really tasty Koolaid for you. But no…

> When will we see the Google Stadia game streaming app on the XBOX? Bold of you to assume Google will keep that alive for a particularly long time.

When will xCloud appear on the Nintendo Switch? A lot better to play on the switch than a mobile phone without built-in controllers.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#425

Post by CamelCaseName »

StavrosK wrote: post #392

> Apple has removed Epic Games’ battle royale game Fortnite from the App Store after the developer on Thursday implemented its own in-app payment system that bypassed Apple’s standard 30 percent fee > 1,000 V-bucks, which is roughly equivalent to $10 in-game Fortnite currency, now costs just $7.99 if you use Epic direct payment instead of the standard Apple payment processing. Normally, that amount of currency costs…

Epic still has payment processing costs, ones that were contained within Apple's 30% fee, and probably some other costs I'm not familiar with.

They may have rounded those costs up to the nearest $X.99 for clean numbers.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#426

Post by erklik »

jszymborski wrote: post #348
btown wrote: post #335

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the line is “does this harm a human who does not consent.” Regulating autonomous vehicles? Apple being able to reject apps that steal user data? Both within reason. But rejecting simply because it lets someone pay in an alternate manner crosses a line.

While I'm inclined to agree with the spirit of your argument, I believe Apple makes the argument that their payment gateway enforcement is in fact in line with that “does this harm a human who does not consent” test. The argument goes, if I'm not mistaken, that by enforcing their payment gateway, they're assuring that users aren't handing over credit card info and other PPI in an insecure manner. Whether you buy that…

> The argument goes, if I'm not mistaken, that by enforcing their payment gateway, they're assuring that users aren't handing over credit card info and other PPI in an insecure manner.

Doesn't Apple specifically have a deal with Amazon to ignore the 30% cut for them?

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#427

Post by dang »

myrloc wrote: post #219
dang wrote: post #150

I see the duplicate threads but am out hiking today and can't merge them (that's a laptop job). Sorry all. Maybe someone can list the discussions.

Hire me to make this a mobile job.

I don't need fewer ways to escape from Hacker News.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#428

Post by erklik »

atarian wrote: post #230
winter_blue wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Android allows developers to integrate Stripe and take customer's credit cards and bypass the 30% cut. Yet, many apps choose have direct Play Store purchases, since that convenience might translate to a higher conversion rate. Android also allows third party apps to be installed. Your argument doesn't hold up in light of all of this.

>Android allows developers to integrate Stripe and take customer's credit cards and bypass the 30% cut. You are completely wrong. https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/9/21003553/google-play-stor...

> You are completely wrong.

Not really. Not being allowed to host on the Google Play Store does not mean not being allowed to install the app on an Android.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/3/17645982/epic-games-fortni...

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#429

Post by EugeneOZ »

ekianjo wrote: post #419
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.

Epic is famous for buying exclusive rights for games to make people play on their store. I hope they like eating their own food now.

Heh, game publishers are responsible for their decisions, not some "cruel" Epic who seduced little foolish publishers.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#430

Post by CarbyAu »

The problem here is Apples user market capture.

Through iOS devices Apple has created a market of users they are the very protective gatekeeper for.

Windows PC user market. Not locked down. Though MS has a store you have Steam, EGS, GOG, Origin, UBS etc for games alone. Let alone productivity apps.

Android market. Not locked down. Though google play store is the gorilla other stores exist. I like F-Droid.

EPICS Unreal game engine? Doesn't have a locked down market of users. It would lock the business into a payment scheme though.

Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo consoles. I fear they are similar in terms of gatekeepering to users and should be subject to whatever outcome Apple is. They seem a bit more open to begin with though so are likely to be less affected. It also makes them not the prime offender, though offenders all the same.

Ultimately, want to sell to an Apple iOS user? One choice.

Separately then, is this anti-competitive or simply smart business? I'd answer : Why not both? The business wants to make money and until the law steps in, they will do it.

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