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GameDev Breakdown

Fandom Unlimited Appearance and Courtroom Drama

Todd appeared on Fandom Unlimited's live Facebook stream to talk about Epic and Microsoft vs. Apple and Google, then we dive into an equally troubling lawsuit between a studio and publisher that you might not have heard about.

Epic (with Microsoft) vs. Apple (and seperately) Google

Important concepts

Microsoft xCloud - Announced at E3 2018. A service that will let you play Xbox games from a certain library they maintain and you can stream them to a bunch of devices and play them with an xbox controller. Laptops, phones, tablets, you name it. Launches September 15th and will be included with Game Pass Ultimate for $15 per month - includes Live, Game Pass, and xCloud, making it a great deal

Timeline

  • Microsoft announced xCloud at E3 2018 and suggested you'll be able to play on many devices, including smartphones 
  • Apple came out and clarified xCloud will not be approved for iOS 
  • After Fortnite attracted many mobile players, Tim Sweeney insisted on a special deal with Apple 
  • Apple flatly rejected Epic 
  • Epic put out an update on mobile platforms, Android and iOS, that optionally circumvents app store microtransactions and just takes money directly from players 
  • Both platforms kick Fortnite out of the store 
  • Epic filed simultaneous lawsuits against Apple and Google 
  • Apple advised Epic it was cancelling all licensing agreements, including Mac and iOS support in the Unreal engine
  • Motions are being filed back and forth, the judge is already treating these motions in a way that seems to favor Apple 
  • This week, Microsoft entered a court filing on behalf of Epic

Frogwares vs. Nacon

Important Concepts

  • Frogwares - Ukranian game studio with offices in Dublin, Ireland. They created the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series, which are really cool games.
  • Nacon, Formerly BigBen - French game publisher established in 1981. Their main markets are France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. 

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