It's not the same model though, is it? I can buy XBox, PS an Nintendo games in a shit ton of physical or digital stores. So there are different channels. There is no equivalent on iOS. If you don't want to publish in the app store, no one will be able to install your app (developers with own certs and enterprise customers with mdm excluded).

[–] themusicman 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

A chunk of those sales go to the platform, regardless of where they're bought. And you can't just sell an Xbox/playstation game without permission and royalties

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

This is true, but they're also now selling digital-only consoles. For some customers, the digital store is their only choice.

[–] aksdb 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Don't/can't you still buy codes in other stores, though?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

You can buy Apple gift cards in other stores too

[–] aksdb 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

But not directly the apps. I can, however, for example buy codes for individual xbox games from different vendors.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Right, but I feel that this method of distribution is very similar to gift cards in that the retailer has no control over pricing, promotions, etc. additionally, these codes cannot be re-used.

[–] woelkchen 9 points 8 months ago (3 children)

if Apple’s model is not legal, then neither is Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo…

Except it's not about the model itself, it's about market power. Neither game console maker has a monopoly, not even Nintendo.

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Are there any other virtual stores on the console? There's obviously physical store fronts, but I'm pretty sure there's only the one digitally on console.

[–] woelkchen 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Are there any other virtual stores on the console?

No but since none of the console vendors have a monopoly, antitrust laws don't apply. They can do practically any shit as long as none have a dominant market position.

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Apple doesn't have a monopoly though, there's still Android. And outside of the US Android is more popular than iOS.

[–] woelkchen 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Apple doesn’t have a monopoly though, there’s still Android.

Based on revenue, it has, though. iPhones are being bought by people who spend more money in app stores than the average Android user.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

And based on the lawsuit right now, US vs Apple

[–] IamAnonymous 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

So Nintendo can force everyone to buy a Switch to play Mario games? From what I see, consoles are locked in as well and we are forced to have PS/Xbox/Switch for their exclusive games. And this is legal because they aren’t as big as Apple? Why can’t I buy one console to play any game I want just like I can install any OS on Android?

[–] woelkchen 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

And this is legal because they aren’t as big as Apple?

Apple can do whatever they want on iPads, Mac, and Vision Pro. At least WRT Gatekeeper status in the EU, only iPhone is covered.

[–] IamAnonymous 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Did not know that. So it’s just the sales numbers then because iPad is the same as an iPhone in terms of functionality and restrictions. Mac is more open compared to their mobile devices.

[–] woelkchen 1 points 8 months ago

So it’s just the sales numbers then because iPad is the same as an iPhone in terms of functionality and restrictions.

Sales numbers and more specifically market power of the Apple App Store on iPhones. In absolute numbers there are more Android devices out there but that includes super low-end devices where the owners don't spend as much money on apps.

Apparently tablets aren't being seen as big of a factor in the overall market, at least according to the EU. The special exceptionfs announced recently by Apple for the EU also for the most part are only about iPhone.

"The changes do not apply outside of the EU, nor do they apply to iPadOS in any country." --https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/06/alternative-ios-app-stores-eu-grace-period/

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I agree that it is about market power, but one could make the argument that Xbox/PlayStation have a duopoly similar to iOS/Android.

Although I think PlayStation dominated with roughly a 70/30 split worldwide (higher in Europe). Nintendo is somewhat in its own category imo, since they mostly do their own games and don't directly compete in that sense.

But I guess in a way consoles also compete with PCs.

[–] woelkchen 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

one could make the argument that Xbox/PlayStation have a duopoly similar to iOS/Android.

You'll have a hard time arguing that. Conventional wisdom groups all video games consoles together:

And overall video game revenue is centered around mobile:

Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/video-game-industry-revenues-by-platform/

[–] samus12345 1 points 8 months ago

The arcade experience of having to put in money to play just moved to mobile.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Microsoft is edging closer to a monopoly, which may be why they're making this move.

[–] woelkchen 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Microsoft is edging closer to a monopoly

Windows is a monopoly, Xbox is not.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

https://www.pcgamer.com/every-game-and-studio-microsoft-now-owns/

[–] woelkchen 2 points 8 months ago

I'm fully aware of that but if history showed one thing it's that Microsoft runs game developers into the ground.

Also Take Two, Nintendo, EA, and Sony exist. Microsoft has no monopoly just because they bought a crap publisher. The lastest Call of Duty game on mobile already tanked.