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> Ok, but do we agree that Epic getting what they want would result in a more open platform than what we currently have? I think Epic getting what they want wi
by naravara 6y ago
> Ok, but do we agree that Epic getting what they want would result in a more open platform than what we currently have?
I think Epic getting what they want will slowly hollow out the available market for smaller indie developers who can't compete with with the scale of the big boys. Insofar as Apple's app store falls short, it's often in the various ways it fails at providing a truly even playing field between Joe Random and the Amazons and Epics of the world. Take the Apple intermediation out of it and the big stores can bring the strength of their reputations and the scale of their logistical capabilities to bear in ways that will make it much more difficult for small, independent developers to thrive.
You can see it in comparing the iOS app economy to the Android one. Even though the vast majority of app installs in Android come through the Play store, the more lax standards and availability of sideloading seems to make people much less trustful of anything they get and, consequently, much less likely to spend any money.
- cableshaft 6y agoI think it will just offer alternative places where you might get attention that you otherwise wouldn't. Apple already has extremely restrictive and garbage discovery mechanisms on the App Store, and up until now has squashed all app-based attempts to make it better or provide an alternative discovery mechanism. If alternatives were allowed to exist, those stores could be built with better discovery mechanisms or allow a smaller pond where you might be able to be the big fish. As opposed to a vast ocean (App Store) where you've got to be damn lucky or have major connections to be anything more than a minnow as an independent.