Deconstructor of Fun TWIG #356 Epic vs Google, Roblox’s Rough Quarter, Supercell Pulls the Plug
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Nov 7, 2025 Epic triumphs in a legal showdown with Google, paving the way for new payment structures. Unity partners with Epic, hinting at exciting developments for game developers. Roblox faces investor scrutiny despite impressive engagement numbers, grappling with monetization challenges. Meanwhile, Supercell cancels Squad Busters following a quick rise and fall, reflecting on the emotional toll of failure and strategic shifts. Arcadia Gaming Partners grows in influence, particularly in Turkey, raising questions about regional investment dynamics.
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Android Payments Rewritten Globally
- The Epic–Google settlement separates distribution from payments and creates 9% and 20% service-fee tiers for transactions.
- It enables alternative billing, side-by-side pricing, and easier third-party store installs globally until 2032.
Fees Create Cosmetic Incentives
- The 9% fee targets non-gameplay items while 20% applies to purchases that meaningfully affect gameplay.
- That distinction will distort incentives and push developers toward cosmetic-focused designs to save fees.
Push Direct Distribution And Messaging
- Use direct-to-consumer installs and sideloading where allowed to avoid steep platform fees and scare screens.
- Promote web stores and point users to one-click installs to capture point-of-sale messaging.