Naavik Gaming Podcast Apple vs Epic Aftermath: A New Era for Game DTC
Jun 3, 2025
Chris Faught, CEO of Neon and an expert in direct-to-commerce platforms for games, shares his insights on the evolving gaming landscape. He discusses the aftermath of the Apple vs. Epic ruling and its implications for game developers adopting direct-to-consumer strategies. Chris highlights the new monetization opportunities and alternative payment models that empower studios to connect with players directly. He also offers practical steps for implementing these changes and predicts future trends in the gaming market.
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April 2024 US Apple Ruling Impact
- The April 30th ruling allows developers in the US to freely link and advertise external payment channels in their apps without Apple commissions.
- This legal change removes previous barriers like 27% fees and scare screens, opening a larger addressable market for direct-to-consumer strategies.
Pre-Ruling Limitations on 'Steering'
- Even before April 2024, developers could have external payment channels but couldn't advertise them inside apps due to Apple restrictions.
- This limited the direct-to-consumer reach mostly to niche games with external communities.
Reduce Friction in Web Checkout
- Design external checkouts to minimize friction and integrate features like saved cards and wallets.
- Offer Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal options on web to approach in-app payment convenience.