In a significant turn of events, Epic Games is celebrating a major legal triumph. Following a prolonged legal battle with a tech giant, the company has announced the launch of webshops within its gaming platform. This innovative feature will empower developers to offer players the option to make purchases outside of traditional app stores, effectively sidestepping the hefty fees imposed by major platforms.
The ongoing dispute between Epic Games and the tech giant has revolved around the substantial 30% commission that developers are required to pay on earnings generated through the app store. A pivotal ruling in 2021 determined that developers could direct customers to purchase digital content outside of the app store ecosystem. Recently, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers reiterated this ruling, highlighting that the tech giant was not adhering to the court’s decision.
As a result of this legal victory, Epic Games is set to reintroduce its flagship title back into the app store, encouraging players to make in-game purchases directly through Epic. This approach not only offers players better pricing but also enhances the overall gaming experience.
The introduction of webshops within the Epic Games Store marks a significant shift for developers, allowing them to implement similar strategies. This new feature is expected to streamline the purchasing process and provide developers with greater control over their revenue streams.
Typically, Epic retains a 12% share of the revenue generated by developers on its platform, which is already a more favorable arrangement compared to the app store’s commission. Starting in June, Epic will further enhance this offer by waiving its cut on the first $1 million earned by each game annually, allowing developers to retain more of their earnings until they surpass this threshold.
“With the recent legal developments, developers can now direct players to make digital purchases through webshops on any platform that permits it, including iOS in both the European Union and the United States,” stated Epic Games, emphasizing the newfound opportunities for developers in the evolving digital marketplace.