Why Epic’s Win Against Apple And Google Paves The Way For The Future Of Mobile Gaming

The clash between Epic Games and tech giants Apple and Google has caused a big change in the world of mobile gaming. Epic’s win against these tech giants shows that it’s possible to challenge their control over the industry. It’s helped set a new standard for more competition and creativity in mobile gaming that developers around the world can benefit from.

Epic’s victory isn’t just about them winning a legal battle either. It’s about what it means for the future of mobile gaming. It shows that developers like Epic can stand up to the big players in the industry and make things better for everyone. It’s not just a win for Epic, but for anyone who loves playing games on their phones or tablets. And of course, devs trying to break into the mobile gaming market.

Update – Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account. We are moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe.

More below⬇️https://t.co/BmqFxG26ul https://t.co/GhaiqJCuFr

— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) March 8, 2024

The Legal Battle

The showdown between these tech giants all started because Epic wasn’t happy about the high fees they charge for purchases made within apps. Now, Epic tried to get around these fees, but that got them kicked out of both the App and Play Stores in 2020. This led to a series of legal battles over the next four years where Epic accused Apple and Google of breaking antitrust laws.

A big turning point came with the passing of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). It’s basically a law that tries to make sure huge tech companies don’t have too much control. Thanks to that, Apple had to change its mind and let Epic run its own app store on iPhones and iPads in Europe. This move shows that the DMA is serious about making the mobile gaming market fairer for everyone.

In simpler terms, Epic Games got into a fight with Apple and Google because they didn’t like the fees they were charging, which I have to admit are pretty bad. The EU stepped in with a law to make things fairer, forcing Apple to let Epic do its own thing. “Why is this a big deal?” you ask. Well because it means that smaller companies will have a better chance of competing in the world of mobile gaming.

Implications For The Developers

Epic’s win isn’t just a win for itself, mind you. It’s a big deal for devs who want to challenge the rules set by big tech companies. It shows that those rules can be changed, giving them the chance to try new ways of distributing their apps and making money. If I were an indie dev trying to break into the mobile gaming market, this would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

What happened in Europe is very important. It shows that when governments do their job right, it can help make things fairer for everyone. DMA makes sure that app stores have to be open about how they work and treat developers fairly. This means developers can now have more say in how they do business with Apple and Google. And obviously, it’s a bonus for the people who love playing games on their phones.

This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable,” – Epic Games.

Benefits For The Consumers

For people like me who play games on their phones or tablets while traveling or at the office (don’t tell my boss), Epic’s win means we have more choices and it’s easier to find and play different games. Now that devs can run their own app stores on iPhones and iPads, there will be lots of new games to try out. More types of games mean that everyone can find something they like. From Candy Crush to Call of Duty, they’ll have it all.

Epic also pushed for changes in how payments work in apps, which could mean cheaper games for players. When devs don’t have to pay big fees to Apple or Google, they can offer games at lower, more competitive prices. Plus, they can run special deals and discounts directly for players. This not only saves money for players but also makes sure that devs get a fair share of the money from their games.

Are Mobile Phones The Future Of Gaming?

Firstly, let’s look at the numbers. Ever since its launch, Microsoft has sold around 27 million Xbox Series Xs, Sony has sold almost 49 million PS5s, and Nintendo has sold 139 million Switches. Now those are some pretty big numbers, right? But they all pale in comparison to the 1340 million smartphones that were sold just last year. That’s over 6 times the 3 of them combined.

Granted, not all of them would have the processing power to rival a console, but technological advancements in mobile hardware have significantly narrowed the gap. High-resolution displays, powerful processors, and advanced graphics capabilities are set to match the console-quality gaming experience soon. And besides, when was the last time you made a call or ordered some food from your Xbox?

Apple has already showcased the iPhone 15s Ray-Tracing and AAA gaming compatibility by running Resident Evil 4 Remake and Resident Evil Village on it. While I admit that the graphical aspects of the showcase weren’t all that, it still ran better than any Nintendo Switch port I’ve seen. So, there’s that. Still, the mere fact that an iPhone can run AAA games is an exciting sneak peek at the future of handheld gaming.

The Road Ahead

Epic’s victory over Apple and Google isn’t just a win for them—it’s a big step forward for mobile gaming as a whole. They stood up to the big companies that control app stores, pushed for more fairness and competition, and most importantly, they won. To put it simply, it’s an exciting time to be part of the mobile gaming community.

As governments and regulators take a closer look at how app stores work, and as developers fight for their rights, the future of mobile gaming looks promising. We can expect to see more diverse games and easier ways for developers to get their games out there. This means more options for players and a better overall experience for everyone in the industry. As it should be.