Epic Games formed a non-profit alliance called “Coalition for App fairness” with Spotify and tech giants as part of its war with Apple.
Epic Games is keen on winning its battle with Apple. Fortunately for the gaming giant, other companies share the same sentiments.
Although the war has somehow expanded to another mobile storefront, Google’s Play Store. Last month, Google has axed Epic’s famed BR title, Fortnite, on the Play Store following its fight with Apple.
But, on the coalition’s official website, it seems the target is Apple alone. The homepage banner reads, “EVERY DAY, APPLE TAXES CONSUMERS & CRUSHES INNOVATION.”
Apple's control over the mobile ecosystem hurts 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦. It means:
💸Higher prices for consumers
📉Lower profits for developers
📵Limited features for product manufacturers
📲Fewer app options
💡Less innovationWe need change—join us: https://t.co/cY2smM7ALT
— Coalition for App Fairness (@appfairness) September 24, 2020
The members of the alliance
Comicbook reports the list of tech giants that are part of this non-profit organization, which are:
- Basecamp
- Blix
- Blockchain.com
- Deezer
- the European Publishers Council
- Match Group
- News Media Europe
- Prepear
- Protonmail
- SkyDemon
- Spotify
- Tile
There are three main issues that this organization is fighting against. Which are:
- Anti-Competitive Policies
- 30% App Tax
- No Consumer Freedom
The 30% App Tax was actually one of the main reasons behind Epic Games’ hesitation to bring Fortnite to mobile in the first place. For the longest time, it had to independently instruct players to download the game outside of Google Play.
Apple has been repeatedly accused of not allowing equal competitiveness of applications, which dominantly favors its own apps.
A testimony from Tile reads:
“Apple has manipulated its rules and policies to disadvantage Tile, a popular Bluetooth finding hardware and app developer, in favor of its competing Find My App.”
Developers deserve better. #AppFairness https://t.co/iKJpG9W8i2
— Coalition for App Fairness (@appfairness) September 24, 2020
Meanwhile, Apple doesn’t allow the installation of apps outside of its store. Which dives into the coalition’s third issue—no consumer freedom. Epic Games made an example of a problem manifesting from this issue:
“Epic produces once of the most popular video games of all time, Fortnite. If a Fortnite player were to buy an upgrade in the App Store, that individual might be charged $9.99. However, that same upgrade costs only $7.99 when purchased directly through Epic.”
JUST IN: Companies including Spotify, “Fortnite” creator Epic Games and Tinder parent Match Group are joining forces to push for changes to Apple’s App Store. https://t.co/NXObhQQUF5 pic.twitter.com/DfrrbK0k2v
— CNBC (@CNBC) September 24, 2020
An open call for everyone
The organization says its action is “an open call to all developers.”
“[T]ogether we will fight back against the monopolist control of the app ecosystem by Apple.”
However, there is still no news as to how Apple has responded to this alliance.
Meanwhile, Apple is still in a legal war with Epic separately. The iPhone maker insists that the game dev actually demands “special treatment.”
Apple has already filed a countersuit against Epic, seeking damages.
Featured image courtesy of Coalition for App Fairness/Twitter