Epic v. Apple Trial Takeaways [Polygon Forest Podcast: Episode 08]

Nintendo Game Builder Garage is important.   
Nintendo this week announced a new game-creation tool with a child-friendly user interface to promote games development by introducing node-based pipelines at a younger age. “Game Builder Garage” is set to release on June 11th at $30 for the Nintendo switch and will include mouse support.   Much in-line with “Super Mario maker” and “Nintendo Labo”, Nintendo are taking another next step in encouraging their younger-audiences to explore games programming. The trailer indicates that players will be able to create music, textures, pixel animation and more within the educational game.  
The Epic Trial:   Epic Games and Apple are at trial over alleged antitrust practices by the iPhone maker that could see the entire App Store ecosystem change.. and bring Fortnight back on iPhones.   The trial, which started last week will address the question: do Apple’s in-app purchase policies violate antitrust law?    
Epic offered in-app purchases on the app store and didn’t pay the 30% fee charged by Apple, effectively circumventing Apple's policy.    Apple removed Epic from the App store and Epic responded immediately with the lawsuit. Suggesting that a court case was Epics strategy all along.   The verdict could also have a far-reaching impact on other digital storefronts, like Xbox Live, PlayStation Store, and the Nintendo eShop. However Judge Rogers – who is in charge of the US trial – seems cautious of this and is relying on Epic to be able to explain why the App Store is specifically a problem. Trials in Europe, The UK and Australia are due to take place potentially dragging this out for some time.     
Talking Points: Developers using the Epic Engine for IOS games Game developers who use the Unreal Engine to make their apps could be left scrambling if Epic loses its access to the Apple ecosystem entirely.   
Xbox Confirms they make a loss from their console sales Xbox vice president Lori Wright was called in as a third-party witness for the trial, where she was asked questions about the console market. In response to a question from Epic lawyer Wes Earnhardt asking "how much margin" Microsoft earns on the sale of Xbox consoles, Wright said: "We don't. We sell the consoles at a loss". Asked if Microsoft has ever earned a profit on the sale of an Xbox console, Wright replied: "no"   
Sony charges for cross platform play "Cross-platform play is not a slam dunk no matter the size of the title," "As you know, many companies are exploring this idea and not a single one can explain how cross-console play improves the PlayStation business." that take from an email from Gio Corsi of Playstation to Tim Sweeny of Epic.   
Apple think 30% won’t last forever Prior to Apple’s “Small Business” Program that cut its rates to 15% for developers making less than a million in revenue, Phil Schiller wondered whether Apple should make the proactive decision to cut fees. This taken from an email to Steve Jobs, “While I am a staunch supporter of the 70/30 split … I don’t think that 70/30 will last that unchanged forever.” Apple still charges $99 a year to publish games 
Vin Hill 
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Chris Jarvis 
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