On the podcast: A lot of App Store news, NC’s $300m mobile push, Overwatch, Metacore, Yahoo and more
In a notably Apple-heavy episode of the mobilegamer.biz podcast, founder Neil Long covers major developments in the mobile games industry with particular focus on the App Store ecosystem. The episode includes App Store team guidance on securing featured placement and Apple’s emphasis on the ’try before you buy’ model for premium games, allowing players to sample paid titles before purchase.
A significant focus is the financial impact of Apple’s decision to open the App Store to alternative payment methods. The shift has reduced Apple’s revenue, as the company loses its traditional 30% cut on transactions using external payment options. The podcast includes commentary from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, a vocal critic of Apple’s App Store policies.
The episode also covers leadership changes within Apple’s App Store division. Phil Schiller, the longtime team leader, has stepped back from his role, with Eddy Cue assuming responsibility for the App Store. The transition includes organizational adjustments under Cue’s leadership.
Additionally, the podcast touches on developments from NC, a Korean mobile MMO developer, though specific details from that segment are limited in the available excerpt.