Google embraces third party app stores and payments to put Epic Games case behind it
Lower app store fees are on the way, plus an on-ramp for third party digital bazaars
Google has spelled out changes it will make to the fees it charges developers who use its app store and payment services, and says they represent the end of its long legal battle with Epic Games.
Epic Games’ beef with Google (and a parallel case against Apple) centred on its desire to offer users the chance to buy in-game objects directly, rather than through app stores. Google and Apple, the world’s dominant app store operators, take a hefty cut from in-app purchases and each item sold in their online software marts. Epic wanted the chance to sell its wares direct, or to use third-party app stores and payment services that charge less than Google or Apple.
The outcomes of those cases are complex, and a proposed settlement in Google’s case with Epic awaits judicial signoff. However, between court rulings against Apple and Google, and governments around the world weighing in with laws, major app store operators mostly need to offer something close to the options Epic Games wanted.
Google, in a post to its Android Developers Blog, has nonetheless billed its changes as an example of its commitment to openness, before explaining its three changes.
One is creating a “Registered App Stores program” that, if operators choose to participate, will see Google facilitate “more simplified installation flow” for Android apps. The search and ads giant has positioned this as leveling the playing field for app store operators, by reducing the number of hoops users need to jump through to shop for apps on stores other than Google’s own Play store. Users who choose to shop in Registered App Stores will also see info about the outfit, useful data given cybercriminals have been known to create fake app stores to distribute malware.
Google has also split its fees into two distinct charges: a 20 percent Service Fee for selling stuff on Play and an optional five percent Google Play Billing Fee. Developers who sell on Play but don’t use Google’s billing systems won’t need to pay the five percent fee.
Epic Games approved of the changes.
“These changes will evolve Android into a true open platform with competition among stores,” the company stated. “Globally, developers will have choices in how they make payments using Google Play’s payment system and competing payment systems, with reduced fees and the ability to point users outside apps to make purchases.
Epic also said “Google will take steps to support the future open metaverse,” a probable reference to the deal that will see games made with the Unity engine made available within Fortnite. ®