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0 pointsfauigerzigerk6y ago0 comments

"Reasonable" would be to charge a fixed transaction fee plus a percentage that doesn't scream "dysfunctional market!".

Microsoft takes 5% for selling apps in the Windows store. That may be a bit desperate given that these stores aren't just payment services but act as merchants of record, taking care of international taxes, billing and running an actual store.

I wouldn't complain for a second if store fees were in the neighbourhood of 10% plus transaction fee.

But charging 30% irrespective of price is not reasonable by any reasonable definition of reasonable.

0 comments

e_y_6y ago

It made sense in the early days when apps were $0.99 and credit cards charged approx $0.19 + 3% per transaction (Apple likely gets better rates, but just as an approximation).

There's still a lot of apps that fall in that range, but I'd agree with you that it's completely unfair for subscriptions and more expensive apps.

Steam is probably also overcharging with their 30% cut (once upon a time that was an amazing deal compared to boxed retail) and most games are $30+ so it's a pretty hefty chunk of change. I don't necessarily agree with the exclusivity tactics taken by Epic or EA/Ubisoft but having more diverse options for buying PC games is a good thing.

friendlybus6y ago

Steam's store page promotions provides up to 80% of the revenue for indie games. 30% is a steal for what they offer. Discord nitro offered a selection of games along with its premium subscription. People would take the subscription for the chat features and very few if any played the games offered with it, to the point where discord just cut the games out. Nobody cared.

I've spoken to a few silicon valley guys who believe steam will be disrupted, but I just don't see it at all. Epic has a chance because of fortnite users. Steam was built on hl2, epic on fortnite. Features and cut %s aren't the deciding factor.

BlueTemplar6y ago

The non-standard features like Steam multiplayer and mods Workshop that lock out non-Steam users pretty much forever are IMHO even worse than the 1-year exclusivity (as long as it's not retroactive).

friendlybus6y ago

Steam multiplayer? You mean the friends list? Steam doesn't provide hosted mp servers for games. Mods are made by community members that can be released anywhere. Workshop is just a distribution channel.

Battle.net and origin are lock in services. Nothing about them is open to the public or accessible. Steam is pretty open and reasonably successful at it.

3 more replies

BlueTemplar6y ago

"Reasonable" is defined by the market. But since they are a monopsony...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsfauigerzigerk6y ago0 comments

"Reasonable" would be to charge a fixed transaction fee plus a percentage that doesn't scream "dysfunctional market!".

I wouldn't complain for a second if store fees were in the neighbourhood of 10% plus transaction fee.

But charging 30% irrespective of price is not reasonable by any reasonable definition of reasonable.

0 comments

e_y_6y ago

It made sense in the early days when apps were $0.99 and credit cards charged approx $0.19 + 3% per transaction (Apple likely gets better rates, but just as an approximation).

There's still a lot of apps that fall in that range, but I'd agree with you that it's completely unfair for subscriptions and more expensive apps.

friendlybus6y ago

BlueTemplar6y ago

The non-standard features like Steam multiplayer and mods Workshop that lock out non-Steam users pretty much forever are IMHO even worse than the 1-year exclusivity (as long as it's not retroactive).

friendlybus6y ago

Battle.net and origin are lock in services. Nothing about them is open to the public or accessible. Steam is pretty open and reasonably successful at it.

3 more replies

BlueTemplar6y ago

"Reasonable" is defined by the market. But since they are a monopsony...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse