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0 pointszepto5y ago0 comments

That may be true, but this remedy would still harm both developers and users much more than the 30% does.

Having to support multiple stores will cost small developers much more than it does large ones.

And having to deal with more scammy apps, and the loss of any tracking prevention will be a pure step backwards for users.

Nobody should support this move by Facebook, even if you believe the app market needs reform.

A Facebook App Store is obviously not the solution.

There is actually no reason why the 30% couldn’t just be regulated directly, e.g. in the way that music performance royalties are regulated.

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4 comments · 1 top-level

mdoms5y ago· 3 in thread

I currently have Steam, Epic Game Store, Origin, Battle.net and GOG Galaxy installed on my Windows PC and I don't seem to be running into the problems you describe. What I have is a lot of choice and a bunch of stores competing for my dollar in really interesting and innovative ways which largely benefit me and, often, the smaller developers.

mr_toad5y ago

It’s interesting to look at the cut that these stores take. Some people seem to be under the impression that competition will drive App Store cuts to single figure percentages, but I doubt it.

zeptoOP5y ago

Why do you think these stores only exist for games?

Why are there not more general app stores for windows?

jsmith455y ago

Because average users use very few apps other than the browser, and maybe an office app, and games.

On desktop media players are largely avoided in favor of Spotify or the like. Traditional instant message desktop software is all but extinct outside of business realm.

Some specialties use more software. Designers use Adobe's stuff. Developers have a lot. Musicians have their own stuff.

But honestly, outside of specialists, gaming is the biggest area, and there you most commonly have Discord, OBS (for streamers), video editing software (for youtubers), the games themselves, and possibly some accessory software for specific specialties (like timer programs for speedrunners). Steam even offers a decent chunk of common paid software gamers might want. The free to download software like Discord often see little point in working with Steam, since the stores offer them little of value. Discoverability is the main thing a store can offer them, but most of them rely on word of mouth instead.

Outside of Games and Development tools/utilities, I honestly can't remember the last piece of desktop software I purchased. Probably Windows, and Office before that. And I have a LOT LOT more software on my PC than the average user.

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