Epic Games plans to pay Apple fees that EU developers incur when they distribute their apps through the Epic Games Store, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said. The Verge today.
Epic Games has added about 20 third-party games to the app store for iOS devices in the European Union, where alternative app stores are allowed to operate. Epic also rolled out a free games program and said it would pay a core technology fee to iOS developers in the EU who offer their apps for free on the Epic Games Store.
Developers who bring their apps to the Epic Games Store can be paid a Core Technology Fee (CTF) for one year. CTF is a fee of 0.50 euros that developers must pay for every app install, and this fee applies to the app regardless of how it is monetized. It’s worth noting that Apple offers a CTF exception to small developers that doesn’t include CTF for three years if the developer’s income is less than 10 million euros, and developers with less than 1 million app installs per year don’t pay the fee in the first place. Additionally, Apple does not charge fees to non-profit business developers who offer apps without generating revenue.
Sweeney has repeatedly criticized Apple’s core technology fees and app distribution guidelines, saying: The Verge Today, CTF is “devastating to the hopes of competing stores gaining a foothold.” He also said it was “not financially viable” for Epic Games to pay Apple’s fees long-term. But it plans to do so while waiting to see whether the European Union requires Apple to further adjust its rules for third-party marketplaces under digital contracts. Market law.
Epic Games claims the fees charged by Apple are preventing its mobile store from attracting developers and its “scary screens” are driving EU customers away. “Without strong enforcement of the DMA, app store freedom and real user choice and competition will not be possible, even in Europe,” Sweeney said.
Epic Games Store for iOS is currently only available in the European Union, as alternative app stores and distribution methods are not permitted in other countries.
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