Google's defeat at the hands of Epic is affirmed; The Sweenster expresses jubilant sentiments: 'Complete triumph'
In a significant turn of events, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the verdict requiring Google to allow third-party app stores on its Play Store ecosystem, a decision that Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, has described as a "total victory."
Sweeney, who has been advocating for greater competition in mobile app stores, emphasized that this ruling effectively opens Android to more competition. The Epic Games Store for Android will soon be available through Google Play, marking a significant change in mobile ecosystems by allowing alternative app stores and payment systems alongside Google's own.
This decision overturns an administrative stay granted in October 2024 and gives Google eight months to prepare before allowing third-party stores on Android. Google, however, has indicated its intention to continue appealing.
Sweeney envisions this as a step toward more openness in mobile platforms, similar to how Epic's PC store already supports carrying titles from other PC Stores like GOG Galaxy. He hopes that this will foster a more competitive landscape in digital stores and payment mechanisms, aiming to break down dominant platform controls.
Google's Lee-Anne Mullholand, however, has expressed concerns, stating that the decision will significantly harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine the innovation that has always been central to the Android ecosystem.
In the wake of this legal success, Epic's focus seems to shift towards implementing these changes. Both companies are required to name members of a Technical Committee to oversee Google's compliance. Any third-party app store has to be given "catalog access" to apps available in the Play Store. Google is also stopped from railroading developers into using Google's payment systems.
As the mobile gaming landscape evolves, gamers might look forward to a more diverse and competitive app store scene. For those interested in understanding the history of video games, "A Brief History of Video Games," authored by Rich Stanton, a games journalist with 15 years of experience, is a must-read. Stanton, who has worked for various outlets including Edge magazine, Ars Technica, Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, Gamespot, the Guardian, IGN, the New Statesman, Polygon, and Vice, offers an engaging and informative journey through the history of video games.
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As we move towards a more open mobile platform, it will be interesting to see how Google responds and how this decision shapes the future of Android app stores.
- Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, considers the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision requiring Google to allow third-party app stores on its Play Store as a significant victory for greater competition in mobile app stores.
- With the Epic Games Store for Android becoming available through Google Play, Android mobile ecosystems will see a substantial change, permitting alternative app stores and payment systems alongside Google's own.
- Google, although expressing concerns about user safety, limited choice, and innovation, has indicated its intention to continue appealing the ruling that gives Google eight months to prepare before allowing third-party stores on Android.
- The evolution of the mobile gaming landscape could lead to a more diverse and competitive app store scene, as this legal victory has set a precedent for openness in mobile platforms, similar to Epic's PC store already supporting carrying titles from other PC Stores like GOG Galaxy.
