Epic Games is launching webshops to allow developers to circumvent app store fees after new ruling

Tech Crunch - May 1st, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

Epic Games has announced a significant move following its legal victory against Apple concerning the App Store fees. The company revealed that the Epic Games Store will now permit developers to open webshops, allowing them to sell digital goods directly to players, bypassing the 30% fees typically charged by Apple and Google. This development comes after a court ruling in 2021, which stated that Apple could not prevent developers from steering customers to external purchasing options. Recently, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers criticized Apple for not complying with this ruling, prompting Epic to reintroduce its popular game, Fortnite, to the iOS App Store while encouraging direct purchases from Epic for better deals.

The introduction of webshops on the Epic Games Store marks a pivotal shift for developers, providing a more lucrative alternative to Apple's fee structure. Epic plans to waive its 12% cut on the first $1 million each game earns annually, which will benefit smaller developers and promote broader adoption of this model. This change is expected to have profound implications for the digital commerce landscape, particularly within the EU and the US, where developers can now leverage these legal rulings to enhance their revenue streams. By enabling more flexible purchasing options, Epic is positioning itself as a developer-friendly platform and challenging the existing app marketplace norms dominated by tech giants like Apple and Google.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Epic Games' strategic move to introduce webshops as a means to circumvent app store fees, set against the backdrop of its ongoing legal dispute with Apple. It effectively highlights the potential implications for developers and consumers, making it a timely and relevant piece for readers interested in technology, gaming, and digital marketplaces.

While the article is mostly accurate and clear, it could benefit from more detailed source attribution and transparency regarding the legal proceedings and specific rulings. The story's balance could also be improved by including perspectives from Apple or other stakeholders affected by these developments. Despite these areas for improvement, the article succeeds in engaging readers with a controversial and impactful topic, encouraging further discussion and consideration of the future of digital marketplaces.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately describes Epic Games' introduction of webshops and its implications for circumventing app store fees. The claim about the legal dispute with Apple over iOS App Store fees and the 2021 ruling is factual. However, the story could benefit from more precise details about the recent judicial filing by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, as the language used ('seething filing') is somewhat vague. The article's assertion about Fortnite's return to the iOS App Store and the incentivization strategy is consistent with available information. The revenue share policy details are also correct, though the story does not specify the exact terms of the $1 million threshold, which is a crucial detail.

The story's claim that developers can direct players to webshops on iOS in the EU and US is generally accurate, but the article could clarify the specific legal rulings enabling this. Overall, the article is mostly precise and truthful, though it could improve by providing more detailed verification of specific claims.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of Epic Games' actions and their potential impact on the app store ecosystem. It highlights Epic's strategic moves without overt bias towards Epic or Apple. However, the story primarily presents Epic Games' perspective on the situation, with little input from Apple or other stakeholders. This lack of diverse viewpoints could lead to an incomplete understanding of the broader implications of the legal dispute and the introduction of webshops.

While the article does mention Apple's fees and the legal ruling against it, it does not explore Apple's perspective or potential responses to these developments. Including more viewpoints, especially from affected developers or industry analysts, could enhance the story's balance and provide a more comprehensive picture of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to understand, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the main developments in Epic Games' legal battle with Apple. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, which aids in comprehension.

However, some sentences, such as the description of the judicial filing as 'seething,' could be more precise to avoid ambiguity. Additionally, the article could benefit from more detailed explanations of technical terms, such as 'webshops,' to ensure that all readers, regardless of their familiarity with the topic, can fully grasp the implications of the developments discussed.

6
Source quality

The article does not explicitly reference sources, which makes it challenging to assess the quality and reliability of the information presented. The story likely relies on statements from Epic Games and public court documents, but without clear attribution, it's difficult to evaluate the credibility of these sources.

The absence of named sources or direct quotes from key stakeholders, such as legal experts or representatives from Apple, limits the ability to verify the information independently. Providing clearer source attribution and incorporating expert commentary would enhance the story's reliability and credibility.

6
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source disclosure and methodology. It does not specify where the information was obtained or whether it is based on official statements, court documents, or interviews. This lack of transparency can hinder readers' ability to assess the story's credibility and the basis for its claims.

While the article effectively communicates the main developments, it would benefit from more explicit context about the legal proceedings and the broader implications of the new webshops feature. Greater transparency regarding the sources of information and the methodology used to gather it would improve the story's clarity and trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/01/epic-games-is-launching-webshops-to-allow-developers-to-circumvent-app-store-fees-after-new-ruling/
  2. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/new-epic-games-store-webshops-and-revenue-share-update
  3. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/01/epic-games-webshops-ios-developers/
  4. https://gamefromscratch.com/epic-games-store-announce-web-shops-and-1m-revenue-share/
  5. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/epic-games-takes-aim-at-apple-and-steam-with-zero-commission-policy-for-developers-183956940.html