Epic Games takes aim at Apple and Steam with zero-commission policy for developers

Engadget - May 1st, 2025
Open on Engadget

Epic Games has announced significant changes to its store policies that are set to benefit smaller developers. The company will not charge any commission for the first $1,000,000 in revenue generated by an app each year, with a 12% fee applied thereafter. This move, effective from June, positions Epic competitively against other platforms like Steam and Apple's App Store, which charge significantly higher commissions. Additionally, Epic has unveiled new webshops designed to bypass Apple's fees on in-app purchases. These webshops, powered by the Epic Games Store, will be available on various platforms, including iOS devices in the EU and US.

The introduction of webshops is made possible by Epic's recent legal victory over Apple, which allows for purchases outside the App Store without incurring Apple's fees. This ruling also facilitates the return of Fortnite to iOS devices in the US, with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney expressing willingness to expand this return globally if Apple complies with the court's decision worldwide. This development marks a potential de-escalation of the prolonged legal battle between Epic and Apple, with Epic offering to drop pending litigation in exchange for broader adherence to the ruling. The changes underscore Epic's strategic push to enhance its ecosystem for developers and consumers alike.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and largely accurate overview of recent developments involving Epic Games, focusing on the company's new commission policy and its implications for the gaming industry. It effectively communicates complex information in a clear and accessible manner, making it engaging for a broad audience. While the story is well-balanced in its presentation of Epic's actions, it could benefit from including more diverse perspectives and sources to enhance its credibility and depth.

The coverage of Epic's legal battle with Apple and the introduction of webshops addresses significant public interest topics, with the potential to influence industry practices and provoke debate. Overall, the article is well-structured and informative, but it could be strengthened by incorporating additional viewpoints and verifying certain claims to ensure comprehensive and reliable reporting.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that align with the current developments in the gaming industry, particularly regarding Epic Games' new commission policy and its implications. The claim that Epic Games will not charge a commission on the first $1,000,000 in revenue per game per year is accurate and verifiable, as it is supported by statements from Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney. Additionally, the comparison of Epic's commission rates with those of Apple and Steam is mostly precise, reflecting the industry's standard practices.

However, some areas require further verification, such as the exact start date of the policy and the specific terms of the webshop initiative. The mention of a recent court ruling against Apple is accurate, reflecting ongoing legal battles between Epic and Apple. The claim about Fortnite's return to the App Store is also consistent with recent announcements, although the exact conditions for its global return need confirmation.

Overall, the story is largely accurate, but it would benefit from additional details and verification of certain claims to enhance its reliability.

7
Balance

The story provides a balanced overview of Epic Games' new policies and their potential impact on developers, particularly smaller ones. It compares Epic's commission rates with those of major competitors like Apple and Steam, offering a fair perspective on the competitive landscape. However, the article primarily focuses on Epic's positive developments without delving into potential criticisms or challenges these changes might face.

The story lacks perspectives from other stakeholders, such as developers who might be affected by these changes or industry analysts who could provide a broader context. Including viewpoints from Apple or Steam could also enhance the balance by presenting their potential responses or strategies in light of Epic's new policies.

While the story does not exhibit overt favoritism, it could benefit from a more comprehensive exploration of the implications of Epic's actions, including potential downsides or criticisms.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly communicates the main points, such as the new commission policy and the introduction of webshops. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the implications of Epic's changes.

The logical flow of information is maintained throughout, with a clear progression from the announcement of the policy to its potential impact on developers and the broader industry. The use of comparisons with Apple and Steam helps to contextualize Epic's actions within the competitive landscape.

However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of certain terms, such as "webshops" and how they function as an alternative to in-app purchases. Overall, the article is clear and concise, effectively conveying the key information to the reader.

6
Source quality

The article primarily relies on statements from Tim Sweeney, Epic Games' CEO, which provides direct insight into the company's intentions and policies. However, it lacks a broader range of sources that could add depth and reliability to the reporting. For example, including comments from independent analysts or developers could offer additional perspectives and validate the claims made by Epic.

The reliance on a single source of authority, particularly one with a vested interest in the narrative, can limit the article's credibility. While Sweeney's statements are authoritative regarding Epic's plans, the absence of corroborating sources or external validation can be a drawback.

Overall, the article would benefit from a more diverse array of sources to enhance its credibility and provide a more rounded understanding of the situation.

7
Transparency

The article clearly outlines the changes Epic Games is implementing, such as the new commission policy and the introduction of webshops. It provides sufficient context about the ongoing legal battles with Apple, which adds transparency to the motivations behind these changes. However, the article could further enhance transparency by detailing the methodology behind these decisions and any potential conflicts of interest.

While the story mentions the court ruling against Apple, it does not delve into the specifics of the case or how it directly impacts Epic's new initiatives. More information about the legal context and how it influences Epic's strategy would improve transparency.

Overall, the article does a decent job of explaining the basis for its claims but could benefit from more in-depth exploration of the underlying factors and potential biases.

Sources

  1. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/epic-games-takes-aim-at-apple-and-steam-with-zero-commission-policy-for-developers-183956940.html
  2. https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/01/epic-games-targets-apple-with-zero-commission-plan-and-app-store-workaround/
  3. https://mobilegamer.biz/epic-to-launch-webshops-and-zero-commission-scheme-next-month/
  4. https://startupnews.fyi/2025/05/01/epic-games-targets-apple-with-zero-commission-plan-and-app-store-workaround/
  5. https://www.tweaktown.com/news/104936/epic-announces-0-revenue-share-model-for-developers-on-the-games-store/index.html