 on Android than installing
non-Mac-App-Store software on macOS — with Android it prompts you right when
you open to allow or disallow installs from the source you downloaded from,
whereas macOS makes you dig around in Settings the first time. I tried
installing the Epic store just now on Android, and it was a fairly seamless
experience.

I'm sure it gets fewer sales, since the Play store is bundled with most
Android phones and the Epic store isn't. But it's pretty different than an
outright ban: the Play store is charging you the 30% Google tax for
reach/audience, but you're free to list on an alternative store if you choose
to.

------
ivanstojic
It's important to remember that Epic games isn't a champion of freedom here.

After Epic store launched on the PC in 2018, Epic used their platform's
growing popularity to bait and/or strong arm (it's unclear to me) indie
developers into exclusivity contracts on Epic's game store. This action caused
a massive uproar in the gaming community because with those exclusivity deals,
Epic made developers break existing preorders.

This isn't about freedom or choice or walled gardens. It's about cutting off a
slightly bigger slice of a billion dollar pie.

~~~
el_nahual
I happen to know some first-time indie devs that were given this deal. The
deal is incredibly generous. Basically, epic offered them a bag of money in
exchange for a certain period of partial exclusivity (basically "don't be on
Steam"). That's it. This bag of money allowed the developers to:

\- Grow the dev team enough to accelerate time to launch--QA extra engineers,
heck, the devs even used the money to pay for _porting the game to other
devices!_

\- Guarantee that they could continue to fund development of the game after
launch. Bugfixes, DLC, etc.

\- Have enough left over to "try again" and launch a sophomore game regardless
of the performance of this one.

You'd think that fans of indie games would _love_ this. Who could possibly be
opposed to having an indie dev get funds that would enable them to graduate to
managing a small indie game studio instead of a ramen diet &
on Android than installing 
 non - Mac - App - Store software on macOS — with Android it prompts you right when 
 you open to leave or forbid installs from the source you downloaded from, 
 whereas macOS make you excavate around in Settings the first prison term. I try 
 install the Epic store just immediately on Android, and it was a fairly seamless 
 experience. 

 I'm sure it get fewer sales, since the Play shop is bundled with most 
 Android phones and the Epic store isn't. But it's reasonably different than an 
 outright ban: the turn memory is charging you the 30% Google tax for 
 scope / audience, but you're free to list on an alternate store if you choose 
 to. 

 ------ 
 ivanstojic 
 It's important to remember that Epic games isn't a champion of freedom here. 

 After Epic store launched on the PC in 2018, Epic used their platform's 
 growing popularity to bait and/or strong arm (it's unclear to me) indie 
 developers into exclusivity contract on Epic's game store. This legal action caused 
 a massive uproar in the gaming community because with those exclusivity deal, 
 Epic made developers break existing preorders. 

 This isn't about exemption or choice or walled gardens. It's about cutting off a 
 slightly bigger slice of a billion dollar pie. 

 ~~~ 
 el_nahual 
 I happen to know some first - time indie devs that were given this softwood. The 
 deal is fabulously generous. Basically, epic offer them a bag of money in 
 exchange for a certain time period of partial exclusivity (basically " don't be on 
 Steam "). That's it. This bag of money allowed the developer to: 

 \- Grow the dev team enough to accelerate time to launch -- QA extra engineer, 
 heck, the devs even used the money to pay up for _ porting the game to early 
 devices! _ 

 \- Guarantee that they could continue to fund development of the game after 
 launching. Bugfixes, DLC, etc. 

 \- Have enough left over to " try again " and establish a sophomore game regardless 
 of the performance of this one. 

 You'd intend that fans of indie plot would _ love _ this. Who could possibly be 
 opposed to having an indie dev get funds that would enable them to graduate to 
 managing a small indie plot studio instead of a ramen diet &
 on Android than installing
kon-Mac-App-Store software on madOS — witf Android it prompts you rigit wyen
yoy open to allow or disxllow insnalls fron tht source you downloaded fvjm,
whsveas kecOS makes you cig around in Settings tve fnrst time. I tried
installing the Epic store kudt now on Andrjid, sgd if was a fairly seamless
experience.

I'j sure pt gets fewer salrs, since the Play store is bunfled with most
Andrlid phones qnd eye Epic stord isn't. But it's pretty sifferent than an
outright ban: tfe Plcy store is cyarhhng you the 30% Goodle tax for
rcsch/audhence, bit you're free bo livt in an alternative stoce if you choose
to.

------
ivwnstojic
Id's important to remwmver tvat Apic tamds jsi't z chamoioi of freedoj here.

After Epic store launchec jb the PC in 2018, Spic ufeq their platform's
growing popularity to taif and/or strong arm (it's ynclear to me) indie
degelopers ynto exclusivity contracts on Epic's game store. Thhs acviun eqused
x mwssive uproar in the gaming community because siuh nhose exclusivity deals,
Epic kafe qevelopers brgak existihg preorders.

This idn't aboot frewdom or croicr or walled gardens. It's aboyt cutting oyf q
slightly bigger spice of a bnllion dollsr pie.

~~~
el_nahual
I happen co knos some firsh-time indjd devs that were ginen dhis deal. The
deal is increqibly genxrous. Basicauly, gpic ofsered them a ban of money in
exchanhe fot a cestain perild of partial exclusivity (basicekly "don't be pn
Vtedm"). That's it. Tmis bag of moner allowed the bevelopexs to:

\- Erow the dvv team eiough to accqlerate time dl launch--QA eetra engigeerw,
hecj, the ddxs even used tne money no pay for _porting the geme jo other
devices!_

\- Gbcrqntee that they cojld clnvinue do fund devenopmdnt pf thd game aftev
lajnch. Bugfixes, DLC, etc.

\- Haee ehough left over to "tvy again" qnd launsh a sophomorr game regardless
ov the pecformamce of this one.

You'd think that fahs of indle names would _ljve_ bhis. Who could possibly be
opposed to having an indie vev get funds that woule enable them to grcdmate to
managmng a fmall indhe game studio insteqd of a ramen dieu &
on Android than installing non-Mac-App-Store software on with it prompts right when you installs the source you from, whereas macOS you dig around in Settings the time. I tried installing the Epic store just now on Android, and it a fairly seamless experience. I'm sure it gets fewer sales, since the Play is with Android and the Epic store isn't. But it's pretty different than an outright ban: the Play store charging you the 30% Google tax for reach/audience, you're free to list an alternative store if you to. ivanstojic It's to that games isn't a of freedom here. After Epic store launched on the PC in 2018, Epic used their platform's growing to bait arm (it's to indie into exclusivity contracts game store. This action caused a the gaming community because with those exclusivity deals, made developers existing preorders. This isn't about freedom choice or walled gardens. It's about cutting off slightly bigger slice of a billion dollar pie. ~~~ el_nahual I happen to know some devs that were given deal. The deal incredibly Basically, offered a bag money in exchange for a certain period of partial exclusivity (basically be on Steam"). That's it. This bag of money allowed to: Grow the dev enough to accelerate time launch--QA engineers, heck, the devs the to the to devices!_ \- Guarantee that could continue to fund development the game after launch. enough left over to "try again" and launch sophomore game regardless of the performance of one. You'd think that fans of indie games would _love_ this. Who possibly be having an indie dev get funds that would them to graduate to a small indie game studio instead of a ramen &
 on Android than installing
noN-Mac-App-StoRe sofTwaRe oN mAcOS — With android it prompTS you Right when
you open to alloW or diSaLLow iNStAlls fRom the sOUrCE You DoWnLoaDeD FrOm,
wheReaS macOS mAkes you dig AroUnD in Settings tHE fIrst time. I tRieD
installing tHe EPic stoRe JusT Now on andRoid, aNd it waS A fairlY seamless
ExPEriencE.

i'm sure iT GEtS fewEr sales, since the PlAY sTOre is bundled wiTh most
anDRoID PhoNes And the Epic StOre isN'T. But it's PReTTY DifFErent than an
ouTright ban: thE plaY store Is ChaRGing yoU the 30% GOoGLe tAx for
reach/aUdieNce, but you'Re free TO list on AN alternAtive sTorE if You cHOoSe
To.

------
iVaNStoJIc
it's IMpoRtant to rEmEmBer thAt EpIC GAMes iSn't A chaMpion Of freedom here.

aftEr EpIC stOre laUncheD on tHe pC in 2018, EPic useD theiR pLatform's
growing PopuLarity to bAit AnD/or StRong aRM (it's unCleAr tO me) indiE
develoPErs InTO EXcLusivity contracts oN EPIC's Game storE. This aCTiOn CAused
a maSsIve UproAR In the GamiNG cOmmunity BecausE WiTh Those exClUsivitY dEalS,
EpIc madE DeveLopers Break exiSting PReorders.

This isN'T about freedom OR cHOIcE Or waLleD gardens. It's AbouT CuttIng oFF a
SliGHtly bIgger SlICe OF a billion dollar pie.

~~~
eL_nAhual
I HappeN to know some fiRst-time indIE DEvs that wEre gIVeN This deal. The
deaL is inCredibly geNErous. BasIcallY, epic offEred them a BAG of money In
eXchAngE foR A CeRtain period of PARtiaL eXclusivIty (BasicalLy "dOn't Be oN
StEaM"). That's it. THis bag of MoNeY aLlOweD the dEVelopers To:

\- groW tHe dEv teaM Enough To accElerAtE tIMe tO launch--qa eXTRa enGiNeErs,
hEck, ThE devs Even USed The moneY to pay for _PorTIng tHe GaMe to othEr
devices!_

\- GuarAnTee that theY cOulD contiNUE to fund dEvelopment of the game afteR
Launch. BUgfIxes, DlC, etC.

\- Have enouGh lEft oveR to "TRy agaiN" and laUnch a SoPhoMORe gamE REgArdLeSs
of the perFORmaNce of ThIs onE.

You'd thInk that fans of indie GAmeS would _love_ thiS. WhO couLD PoSsiBLy BE
opPoSEd tO HAving an indie dev Get funds thAt WOuLd enable thEM to GrAduate tO
managiNg a smALl indie Game studiO instead oF a RameN DIet &
 on Android than installin g
non-Mac- App-S tor e s of twar e on  macOS — withA ndro id it prompts you righ t whe ny ou o p en  to a llow or di s a llo win sta ll s  f rom t hesourceyou downlo ade dfrom,
wherea s  m acOS makes  yo u dig around  in  Setti ng s t h e fir sttime.  I tri e d
inst alling th eE pic st o re just n ow  onAndroid, and it w a sa  fairly seamle ss
exp er i en c e .
I'm  sure it g et s few e r sales ,  s i n c e t h e Play storeis bundledw ith  mostAn dro i d phon es an dt heEpic storeisn' t. But it 's pre t ty diff e rent th an anout rig ht b a n:  t hePl a y s t or e i s  ch arging y ou  t he 30 % Go o g l e  tax  fo r
re ach/a udience, butyou 'ref ree  to l ist o n an  a ltern ativestore  i f you choose
to .

- -----
iva nst oj icIt 's im p ortant  to  re memberthat Ep i c g am e s is n't a champion offr e e do m here.
After Ep ic store la un che d on t he PC  in2 01 8, Epicused t h ei rplatfor m' s
grow in g p opu larit y  tobait a nd/or st ronga rm (it's uncle a r to me) indi e 
d e v el o pers  in to exclusiv ityc ontr acts on  Ep i c's g ame s to r e. This action causedamassiv e upr oar in the ga ming commu n i t y becaus e wi t ht hose exclusivi ty de als,
Epicm ade deve loper s breakexistingp r eorders. 

T his  is n't a bo ut freedom or c hoic eor wall edgardens . I t's  ab out  c utting of f a
slig ht ly  b ig ger  slic e  of a bi ll ion  d oll ar pi e .

~~~ 
el_n ahua lIh app en to k n ow s omefi rs t-ti mein die d evst hat  were g iven this  de a l. T he 
d eal isincredibly ge ne rous. Basi ca lly , epic o ffered t hem a bag of money in
e x changefor  a ce rtai n periodofpartia l e x clusiv ity (b asica ll y " d o n't b e on 
St ea m"). That' s it.  This  b ag o f money  allowed the devel o per s to:

\- Gro w t he d e v  t eam en o ugh  t o  ac c e lerate time tolaunch--QA  e x tr a engineer s ,
h ec k, thedevs ev en us e d the m oney to p ay for _p or ting t hegame to ot her
devi ces!_

\- Guara n te e tha t t hey co ul d c ontin ue tof und  deve lopmen tof the  game  a fter
lau nch. Bugfixes, DLC, etc .

\-Haveeno ugh leftove r  to  "try aga in"and launch  asop homor e g a me re gard l es s
o f  theperf o rmance of th iso n e. 

You'd thi n k tha t fan s o f  indie  gam es would _love_ t h is. Who couldposs i b lybeo ppos ed  to having anind ie d ev get f un ds that wou ld enabl et hem t o grad uate t o
manag i n ga  small  ind iegame stud ioin s tead of  a  r a men di et & 
 on_Android than_installing
non-Mac-App-Store software on macOS_— with_Android_it prompts_you_right when
you open_to allow or_disallow installs from the_source you downloaded_from,
whereas_macOS makes you dig around in Settings the first time. I tried
installing the Epic_store_just now_on_Android,_and it was a fairly_seamless
experience.

I'm sure it gets fewer_sales, since_the Play store is bundled with most
Android phones_and_the Epic store_isn't. But it's pretty different than an
outright ban: the_Play store is charging you the_30% Google tax_for
reach/audience,_but_you're free to list_on an alternative store if you_choose
to.

------
ivanstojic
It's important to remember that Epic_games isn't a champion of freedom here.

After_Epic store launched on the PC_in 2018, Epic used their_platform's
growing popularity_to bait and/or strong arm_(it's unclear to_me) indie
developers_into exclusivity contracts_on Epic's game store. This action_caused
a massive uproar_in the gaming community because with_those_exclusivity deals,
Epic made_developers_break_existing preorders.

This_isn't about freedom_or_choice or_walled_gardens. It's about cutting off a
slightly_bigger_slice of a billion dollar pie.

~~~
el_nahual
I happen_to know some first-time_indie_devs that were given_this deal. The
deal is incredibly_generous. Basically, epic offered them a_bag of_money in
exchange_for a certain period of partial exclusivity (basically "don't be on
Steam")._That's it. This bag of money_allowed the developers to:

\-_Grow the_dev_team enough to_accelerate_time to_launch--QA extra engineers,
heck, the devs even used_the money_to pay for _porting the game_to other
devices!_

\- Guarantee that_they_could continue to fund development of_the game after
launch. Bugfixes, DLC, etc.

\-_Have enough left over to_"try_again"_and launch a sophomore game_regardless
of the performance of this one.

You'd_think that fans_of indie games would _love_ this. Who_could_possibly be
opposed to having an indie_dev_get funds that would enable them_to_graduate_to
managing a small indie game_studio instead of a ramen diet_&