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Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

techcrunch.com

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Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#671

Post by nar001 »

mike_d wrote: post #637
tebbers wrote: post #612

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s no way the EU allows Apple’s interpretation of the DMA after they did this, Apple really made a mistake here. As you say, how can you be sure that alternative app stores won’t just be booted off by Apple for $REASON?

> how can you be sure that alternative app stores won’t just be booted off by Apple for $REASON? The EU law allows for consumers to sideload other app stores on hardware they control. It has no provision that compels Apple to continue doing business with a company in their own app store. Yes, it is a business decision you need to make to offer a sideload app store and opt-out of the Apple app store. Does it suck for…

That's not how things work, you can only make an alternative app store with Apple's consent, not without. Deleting Epic's dev account means they can't make an alternative app store.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#672

Post by anigbrowl »

mike_d wrote: post #637
tebbers wrote: post #612

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s no way the EU allows Apple’s interpretation of the DMA after they did this, Apple really made a mistake here. As you say, how can you be sure that alternative app stores won’t just be booted off by Apple for $REASON?

> how can you be sure that alternative app stores won’t just be booted off by Apple for $REASON? The EU law allows for consumers to sideload other app stores on hardware they control. It has no provision that compels Apple to continue doing business with a company in their own app store. Yes, it is a business decision you need to make to offer a sideload app store and opt-out of the Apple app store. Does it suck for…

app store =/= developer account

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#674

Post by tristan957 »

Findeton wrote: post #316
chatmasta wrote: post #308

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have a monopoloy on distribution channels of iOS Apps. There is no way, other than through the App Store, for a developer to sell software to the owner of an Apple device such that the owner can execute that software on their own device.

So create another phone platform and compete.

I hope you will understand that this is not a valid argument when dealing with monopolies.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#675

Post by jayd16 »

yakkityyak wrote: post #430
layer8 wrote: post #334

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The issue is that Epic doesn’t want to be Apple’s customer in the first place. They want to publish iOS apps. The fact that this requires them to be an Apple customer is the core problem. Imagine if everyone wanting to publish a web app would have to be a customer of the respective browser vendors. Everyone complains about Google and Mozilla and Safari and Edge. Luckily, that doesn’t prevent us from having our web ap…

I don’t quite understand why they happily subscribe to this model with Xbox PlayStation and Nintendo, but are adamant about getting their way with Google and Apple.

Getting a console game published is just not the same as a mobile app. Say what you will about the specific value but the process is much more involved and exclusive for consoles. Everything published to a console is of much higher quality than the app stores despite the mobile approval process. In this way its much easier for the console platform owners to argue that they are providing clear value.

Mobile app store approval is really a joke by comparison. Its easier to argue that mobile app approval's main purpose is to provide market control.

That said, its just about what is easier to argue in court and where to start. Epic would probably ask opt to put the store on consoles if they were given the chance.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#676

Post by antisthenes »

Terretta wrote: post #661
pornel wrote: post #279

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tim Cook’s Apple is all about increasing the Services Revenue. The line has to go up. Apple exists for their shareholders, not users.

> The line has to go up. Apple exists for their shareholders, not users. Who does Epic exist for? This "they exist for the shareholders" is an argument that cancels itself out, as it's true of all firms. So you have to look at who's next on the list. Is the company for people looking to place ads? Is the company for publishers of games? Who is it for?

#1 is major shareholders

#2 is senior management and senior employees (so minor shareholders and OG value creators)

#3 is probably a tossup between regular employees and customers, e.g. doing the bare minimum not to alienate either one.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#678

Post by jayd16 »

0x457 wrote: post #649
madeofpalk wrote: post #507

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Game developers and console makers tend to have a much cosier relationship because they actually care about each other. Console makers will engage in co-marketing deals or other things to entice and make good on their relationship.

> Game developers and console makers tend to have a much cosier relationship because they actually care about each other. lmao, in what world? Apple used to bring Epic games on stage during it presentations. The difference between a gaming console and a phone is that your phone is in your pocket and the console isn't. Both provide libraries and tools for development, both provide support, both provide distribution ch…

Have you actually published a console game? The process is night and day.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#679

Post by mike_d »

wilg wrote: post #643
mike_d wrote: post #637

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> how can you be sure that alternative app stores won’t just be booted off by Apple for $REASON? The EU law allows for consumers to sideload other app stores on hardware they control. It has no provision that compels Apple to continue doing business with a company in their own app store. Yes, it is a business decision you need to make to offer a sideload app store and opt-out of the Apple app store. Does it suck for…

Epic is unable to make their own app store without a developer account.

It is unclear exactly what Epic lost access to, but you can have access to the CIP section required to get a certificate with an Alternative Marketplace entitlement without having access to the App Store Connection section which allows you to publish to the App Store.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#680

Post by dwaite »

nar001 wrote: post #671
mike_d wrote: post #637

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> how can you be sure that alternative app stores won’t just be booted off by Apple for $REASON? The EU law allows for consumers to sideload other app stores on hardware they control. It has no provision that compels Apple to continue doing business with a company in their own app store. Yes, it is a business decision you need to make to offer a sideload app store and opt-out of the Apple app store. Does it suck for…

That's not how things work, you can only make an alternative app store with Apple's consent, not without. Deleting Epic's dev account means they can't make an alternative app store.

Alternative app marketplaces are required to accept an agreement including payment terms to Apple. It is still a business relationship in Apple's DMA implementation.
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