games fray

Microsoft responds to Federal Trade Commission letter: Game Pass price changes don’t support theories of harm in Activision Blizzard merger case Companies remain free to (re)define their offerings. It's not about more $$ for the same thing. And it doesn't legally matter. https://lnkd.in/dwzAu2SW

Epic Games's contempt motion against Apple went from slam dunk to second thoughts: more evidence may be needed https://lnkd.in/d4b6T4be

This MobileGamer_biz article quotes me on the Xbox mobile app store. There are quotes in it from some other people who sound negative. I'm not negative, but cautious, especially for iOS where such a store will be limited to the EU market. https://lnkd.in/e6WPWsG6

Apple ready to provide clarification regarding Epic Games’ injunction, but contempt holding and appeal likely to happen regardless One could be led to think that Apple was on trial for an established wrongdoing, as Judge Gonzalez Rogers made comments and asked questions consistent with Epic's position. But this is a marathon, not a sprint, as the article explains. https://lnkd.in/dZji6rHs

Google vehemently objects to Epic Games’ proposed worldwide injunction, raises intellectual property issues like Apple https://lnkd.in/g-u3-bSa

Judge believes Apple is violating Epic Games’ U.S. injunction, schedules evidentiary hearing before final decision “... sufficient preliminary showing that, viewed holistically, Apple’s practice changes undermine the spirit of the injunction ...” https://lnkd.in/dYmUA-Cf

Brazil's antitrust regulator CADE has officially requested information on Apple's efforts to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act, which makes it a possibility that the agency will order DMA-like.remedies in Brazil further to a complaint by Mercado Livre Brasil. It may also be part of the general evidence-gathering effort concerning the impact of alternative app stores and direct web installs. CC: Rupprecht Podszun Viktoria (Vicky) Robertson Alba Ribera Martínez

Apple responds to Epic Games’ enforcement motion, says it already announced in October 2021 it would charge for links While the U.S. injunction is pointless based on the rules Apple put in place, the legal hurdle for contempt of court is very high. Apple is engaging in anti-anti-anti-steering (yes, 3x "anti"). https://lnkd.in/d5WKgfCD

Epic Games requests 14-page U.S. injunction against Google to strengthen alternative #Android app distribution channels Among other things, Google would have to offer the frontend apps of rival app stores via the Google Play Store for six years. https://lnkd.in/dhiwkTj8

The only meaningful indicator for more competition in iOS web browsing would be a significant market share for RIVAL BROWSER ENGINES. As long as users just get to choose between browsers using Apple's WebKit engine, there's no meaningful progress. Only rival browser engines, and only if they could also be used to run progressive web apps, would make a difference. Only high-performance rival engines would enable progressive (i.e., home screen) web apps to compete more effectively with native iOS apps. In the short term, those higher download figures for the likes of Opera's Vivaldi will merely strengthen Apple's defense to the compliance inquiry that relates to the browser choice window: "look, more downloads for smaller browsers."