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The same is true for game consoles. If you buy an Xbox you cannot decide to buy Nintendo games for it. Yet I don't think anyone would claim "games for Xbox", "g
by nodamage 6y ago
The same is true for game consoles. If you buy an Xbox you cannot decide to buy Nintendo games for it. Yet I don't think anyone would claim "games for Xbox", "games for Playstation", and "games for Nintendo" are three separate markets with no competition (as opposed to one large market for "video games").
- withinboredom 6y agoYou mean, I can't go to GameStop, Walmart, or KMart, or wherever to buy xbox games? That's crazy. I thought I could. In all seriousness though, I can go to other stores to buy things. In this case, you must go to the Apple Store, you can't buy iOS apps anywhere else. (at least officially)
- nodamage 6y agoExcept in order for that game to be in a GameStop, Walmart, or KMart, the developer of the game has to sign a publisher agreement with Microsoft. This agreement gives Microsoft a royalty for every copy sold, plus approval rights over the final game, marketing, and packaging materials. So, no, a developer cannot distribute a game for Xbox without Microsoft's approval. This is also largely irrelevant to the question of whether the market of "games for Xbox" is a separate market from "games for Nintendo" or whether they're actually both competitors in the "video game" market.
- withinboredom 6y agoYes, I’m not arguing approval for building on a platform. But that’s totally separate from selling it. Apple has commingled this, IMO. I should be able to buy an app at competitive prices wherever. If Apple gets a royalty from that, that’s fine too.
- nardi 6y agoSo you think Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation, etc. should also have to allow third-party stores on their devices? EDIT: Or do you think you should be able to buy iOS apps in brick-and-mortar stores?