Epic Games dismisses Apple's simplified EU App Store fees as 'junk'

Apple's latest attempt to settle its App Store dispute with the European Commission has drawn criticism from Epic Games and a cautious response from a consumer group, which warned that "the devil is in the detail." Announced on August 18, the changes introduce new business terms for applications distributed in the European Union …

[VoiceOfTruth]

Greed, and letting them get away with it

>> An App Store app using Apple In-App Purchase will attract a 26 percent commission

That's some greed on show there.

>> slapped with a €500 million fine

Peanuts.

[elsergiovolador]

Re: Greed, and letting them get away with it

Imagine the state charged 26% revenue tax.

[Sproggit]

I have a hunch...

... that Apple settled on "26%" after someone noticed that Steam charge 30% for games hosted on their platform [although the Steam number is scaled - it drops to "just" 25% after games exceed $10 million in gross revenue and "just" 20% if revenue tops $50 million.

Much as we can agree that 26% is basically abuse of developers, Apple are going to "get away with it" because they can point to Steam as a comparable approach that the EU have not objected to...

Stinks, of course, but that's how the world seems to turn these days...

[Trenjeska]

Re: I have a hunch...

When they point to steam, it will show apples malfeasance. On any platform that runs steam, I can still get programs outside of steam, install those programs outside of steam and pay the program provider outside of steam.

[IGotOut]

Remember folks...

Epic are not your friend.

They will still be a scummy company, just a scummy company paying Apple lower fees.

It's like cheering for AMD over Intel when they are both fucking over their customers.

It's s case of can they both lose.... badly.

[doublelayer]

Re: Remember folks...

I don't have to like Epic. However, since their victory over Apple will help the many developers that rely on Apple, won't make anyone depend on Epic who doesn't already, and won't harm those who do rely on Epic, I don't think they're the same level. I support Epic now, not because I like them or even care much about what they do, but because they're right this time. I could easily oppose them in whatever they do next or things they're doing simultaneously, but I'm not hoping for both to lose, which is impossible anyway.

[Joe Gurman]

Epic?

Pffffft.

This is entirely, 100% about a games company CEO that is jealous about the size of Apple's, er, bottom line.

[Jimjam3]

Re: Epic?

I’m sure Tencent are also pushing for a bigger share.

[elsergiovolador]

Re: Epic?

Totally, these app stores shouldn't be regulated. After all if app developer doesn't like the fees, they can simply develop their own phones, ecosystem and an app store.

and in the AI era, you can really just type in "make me a phone, better than iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra Limited Founders Edition++, no mistakes. .step files, firmware, app store, suppliers list. Go."

[IGotOut]

Re: Epic?

I think your sarcasm was completely lost in many.

Must be a lot of USAsians out today.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Epic?

I was halfway through that comment before I was fairly confident it was sarcasm. Fairly.

Some folks really DO take the "don't like it, do it yourself no matter how hard or expensive" attitude.

[Jimjam3]

Apples argument regards safe guarding their platform really only makes sense provided ALL the apps on their App Store came from them.

Furthermore the fact that the Steam gaming platform is available on macOS also muddies that argument a little.

What’s the current status with the Epic store oh and Ubisofts store?

Finally as for in game purchases, that is a whole other can of worms.

[Catkin]

I'd also ask that, if Apple want to restrict the rights of the user in the name of safety, will they also take responsibility and offer compensation if software from their store acts maliciously?

[Jimjam3]

Good point, most likely ignored by Apples legal team.

[Jimjam3]

Another thing that makes a mess of the whole thing is ‘What happens when you install Steam, then purchase a game that installs Ubisoft or Battlenet platform? You get an App Store within an App Store, within an App Store! So who’s in charge then…

[elsergiovolador]

Shake down

You pay X for "security" or else...

[just4this]

With reference to your earlier post

Nice app store you have there, be shame if someone were to use an AI to make a competitor.

[Dinanziame]

"Apps linking to the web to complete purchases will incur a 15 percent commission"

This is still the most outrageous money grab of all. Apple is requiring that if the users of your iPhone app buy something from your fucking website, you need to pay Apple a 15 percent commission. Just because. The competition authorities should be all over this practice, forbid it, and fine Apple for every cent they made with it. It's like Microsoft would demand a commission on plane tickets you buy from the Internet.

[Jimjam3]

Re: "Apps linking to the web to complete purchases will incur a 15 percent commission"

Next we will have the OS companies asking for a cent/penny every time you click your mouse.