Epic Games & Google Withdraw Settlement: Third-Party App Stores Are Coming to Android
New changes are arriving as soon as next week.
The battle between Epic Games and Google is finally winding down, bringing exciting news to developers. The companies have withdrawn their proposed settlement, which included a registered app store program, and now Google will have to allow third-party stores within its own.
The whole issue started several years ago, when Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite and Unreal Engine, sued Google, accusing it of holding a monopoly over Android app distribution – a fight Epic has won more than once, with Google appealing every time.
The case revealed an $800 million deal between the companies, including "joint product development, joint marketing commitment, joint partnerships," with Epic "helping Google market Android" and Google "using Epic’s core technology."
Later, they tried to settle, and Google introduced more billing options, lower fees, and a program for registered app stores. This program, however, would make users sideload approved store apps instead of simply getting them from Google Play – something the judge, James Donato, was skeptical about.
So, Epic Games and Google announced their decision to drop the idea and comply with the original demands.
According to Google, it is ready to "invite" other stores on July 22 (via The Verge), at least in the US.
"We’ve agreed with Epic to withdraw our motion to modify the US Court’s injunction rather than prolonging this process which creates uncertainty for the ecosystem. This allows us to focus on executing our recently announced global business model evolution to deliver greater app store choice, lower prices, and more opportunities for developers and users. We remain committed to maintaining Android’s industry-leading security and fostering a competitive ecosystem where every app store and developer has the freedom to compete. In parallel, we continue to comply with the US Court’s injunction," said its spokesperson Dan Jackson.
The statement doesn't mention other countries, so the rest of the world might have to settle for Registered App Stores.
What it means for developers is that their apps and games will automatically be provided to third-party app stores, unless they opt out. Third-party stores can access Play Store’s catalog of apps for $5,000.
"Third-party US Android app stores will be able to offer these apps to users, and the download of these apps will be completed through Google Play on the same terms as any other download that is made directly through the Google Play Store. Google Play’s service fee will continue to apply to apps downloaded in this manner."
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