Fortnite maker Epic will launch webshops and a new zero commission scheme next month in an effort to capitalise on yesterday’s landmark Epic vs Apple ruling.
In an effort to tempt developers over to its Games Store, from June Epic will not charge a platform fee on any developers’ first $1m in revenue per app per year. After that, Epic will take a 12% cut of all transactions.
Also next month, the Fortnite maker will roll out Epic Games Store Webshops. “These webshops can offer players out-of-app purchases, as a more cost-effective alternative to in-app purchases, where Apple, Google, and others charge exorbitant fees,” says Epic.
“With new legal rulings in place, developers will be able to send players from games to make digital purchases from webshops on any platform that allows it, including iOS in the European Union and United States. Players spending in Epic Webshops will also accrue 5% Epic Rewards on all their purchases.”
It’s been a wild 24 hours for Epic. Last night, a US judge ruled that Apple must remove practically all barriers to developers offering alternative payments. The ruling is effective immediately, and as a result, Epic boss Tim Sweeney said Fortnite will return to the US App Store next week.
Naturally, Sweeney was quick to claim victory after the ruling, stating on X that this was “Game over for the Apple Tax”.
He also proposed a further ‘peace proposal’: “If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.” As far as we’re aware, Apple has yet to publicly comment on the ruling, but does plan to appeal the decision.
