Graham Smith
A Nikkei survey has found that 40% of Japan’s top mobile game developers are finding ways around the high payment processing fees demanded by Apple and Google. The challenge to the two tech behemoths’ dominance is further encouraged by a new law set to take effect in 2025.
Google and Apple may have cornered the market — and arguably the world in many senses — as far as smartphone applications go, but Japan’s top mobile game developers have been bucking the beast by avoiding high in-app payment processing fees.
A recent survey by Nikkei has shown that 12 out of 30 leading game developers (or 40%) are opting to go with web-based payments in lieu of suffering Apple and Google’s heavenly commission fees. These fees can be as steep as 30% for an in-app payment.
Konami Group, Sony Group, and Bandai Namco Holdings are a few examples of those offering web-based payments.
Another example is Mixi, which recently launched a site where players of the popular RPG game Monster Strike can purchase in-game items. Nikkei Asia reports that by going this route, players can get 5% more of the in-game currency than they would be able to if they used an in-app purchase.
New law encouraging companies to diverge from Apple, Google
Encouraging this trend of finding ways around entrenched big tech is a new antitrust law passed in June, and set to take effect in 2025, which ostensibly seeks to rein in the dominance of Apple and Google.
There has been significant fear among game developers about standing up to tech giants and taking economic power back. Given the legal brawn juggernauts like Nintendo have brandished against smaller indie game developers like Pocketpair in recent months, it’s understandable.
However, one gaming firm executive interviewed by Nikkei says of web-based payments that “the tide has now turned in Japan with the passage of the new law.”
