Epic Games will launch web shops next month

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Hot off the back of its big win against Apple, Epic Games is set to launch web shops for developers in June.

This means companies will be able to skirt fees including on platforms such as iOS and Epic’s own marketplace, where it takes a 12% royalty on purchases, in regions such as the US and European Union.

We’ve reached out to Epic to ask what cut it plans to take from web shop sales. Other providers take a varying share of sales, typically 5%.

Players spending in Epic Web shops will also get 5% Epic Rewards on their purchases.

Revenue share cut

Next month Epic will also charge a 0% commission to developers on all purchases made through Epic Games Store payments on their first $1 million in revenue per app, per year. After this, the regular 88/12 split will kick in.

“These web shops 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,” read a statement from the company.

“With new legal rulings in place, developers will be able to send players from games to make digital purchases from web shops on any platform that allows it, including iOS in the European Union and United States.”

Epic win

Epic’s announcement comes after a shock ruling by a US judge that Apple must freely allow developers to directly communicate with their users and link to alternative payment systems.

The judge in the case wrote a scathing assessment of Apple’s anticompetitive actions, saying it was in wilful violation of the court’s previous injunction and even accused Apple VP of finance Alex Roman of lying under oath.

The court’s order is effective immediately in the US. Apple has vowed to appeal.

We spoke to the Mobile Mavens about their thoughts on the landmark ruling. 

“The recent Apple vs. Epic ruling marks a meaningful shift in the mobile app ecosystem,” said RZAIN Consulting CEO Claire Rozain. 

Fundamentally Games CEO Oscar Clark commented: “Overall I think this is an explosive result, and with the Digital Markets Act it isn’t just a US change. There is a bright opportunity here for the right players but game developers have to be careful not to get burned and to be aware of what might be hiding in the shadows.”

Web shops and direct-to-consumer strategies will be a key topic of conversation at the Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects on May 7th to 8th.