legal battles Archives

BetaBeacon

April 30, 2025

Epic Games store challenges mobile monopolies

- Flappy Bird has made a comeback exclusively for Android users through the Epic Games store, developed by Flappy Bird Publishing. - The game includes Classic mode and a new Quest mode with unlockable worlds and obstacles. - Epic Games Store has struggled to meet installation goals, achieving fewer than 30 million installs out of a goal of 100 million by the end of 2024. - Alternative marketplaces on iPhones are needed to increase competition and benefit consumers through improved pricing and innovation.

TrendTechie

March 13, 2025

Соучредитель файлообменника The Pirate Bay погиб в авиакатастрофе

Karl Lundström, co-founder of the torrent tracker Pirate Bay, died in a plane crash on March 10 while traveling from Zagreb to Zurich. The Slovenian police reported that poor visibility due to bad weather likely contributed to the accident. Lundström was a Swedish politician and businessman who significantly influenced file sharing since Pirate Bay's inception in 2003. He faced legal issues with copyright holders, receiving a one-year prison sentence that was later reduced to four months, and was fined 32 million Swedish kronor (approximately €3 million).

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

GTA 5 Enhanced is your daily reminder that you should pirate every game that uses its own launcher

Rockstar has released the Enhanced Edition of Grand Theft Auto V for PC, featuring new Ray Tracing capabilities. However, users are experiencing persistent issues with the Rockstar Games Launcher, leading to frustration. One user spent two hours troubleshooting the launcher, attempting various fixes such as uninstalling the application, deleting registry entries, running executables as Administrator, and adjusting audio settings, but continued to encounter crashes. This situation raises concerns about the reliability of proprietary launchers and their impact on access to purchased games, including titles like Max Payne 3 and Red Dead Redemption. Many gamers feel that developers should focus on functionality and user experience.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Can alternative app stores break through?

Amazon will close its Android App Store on August 20th, preventing developers from submitting new applications. Epic Games reported an 18% year-over-year decline in player spending on PC, amounting to 5 million in 2024, despite increased user accounts. Alternative app stores face challenges in competing with established platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Companies like Huawei and Samsung have large user bases but struggle to generate significant revenue in Western markets. Alvaro Pinto, co-founder of Aptoide, notes that Amazon's closure occurs as the app distribution ecosystem is evolving, suggesting potential for new marketplaces despite existing hurdles. The upcoming Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco event on March 17th to 18th will discuss insights on alternative app stores and direct-to-consumer practices.

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

If not via the App Store, here’s how to download TikTok on Android in the U.S.

TikTok has announced that Android users in the U.S. can download the app from its official website due to its absence from Google and Apple’s app stores, following a new U.S. law effective January 19 that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. Despite the law, TikTok remains unavailable on both platforms, and President Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days while discussions for a potential acquisition continue. TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. and has denied allegations regarding the misuse of user data, stating that data is stored securely in the U.S. on Oracle-operated cloud servers. Concerns about ByteDance's ownership persist, and while there is bipartisan support for a ban, free speech advocates argue it undermines digital rights. The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain, with no confirmation from ByteDance about a potential sale.

BetaBeacon

December 15, 2024

Epic Games Enters New Android Agreement for Fortnite

Epic Games and Telefonica have partnered to enhance mobile gaming accessibility, with the Epic Games Store app being pre-installed on new Android devices sold by Telefonica. This initiative aims to make it easier for users in select European countries and Spanish-speaking Latin American countries to download and play Fortnite right out of the box. The partnership also includes plans for additional benefits for mobile gamers on Telefonica's network to be unveiled in 2025. This collaboration is part of a broader trend in the gaming industry where game developers and telecommunications companies are working together to improve accessibility and enhance the gaming experience for users.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Epic Games Store will be preloaded onto Telefónica phones in new partnership

Epic Games has partnered with Telefónica to pre-load the Epic Game Store on every Android device offered by Telefónica. This initiative will provide users in Spain, the U.K., Germany, Mexico, and Spanish-speaking LATAM countries access to games like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe. The partnership aims to offer more choices beyond conventional app marketplaces and is set to expand further by 2025. Epic maintains an 88/12 revenue split for purchases, contrasting with Google’s 15% to 30% fees. This collaboration follows Epic's legal battles with Google over anti-competitive practices related to app distribution.

BetaBeacon

December 12, 2024

Epic Games’ app store will be preinstalled on millions of Android phones

Epic Games has partnered with Telefónica to have its mobile storefront pre-installed on millions of compatible Android devices sold by Telefónica networks, offering popular games like Fortnite and Fall Guys.

AppWizard

October 24, 2024

Will these PC games ever come to Steam? We predict the chances of WoW, Minecraft, and more

World of Warcraft, originally released in November 2004, has a 30% chance of releasing on Steam due to its complex subscription model and integration with Blizzard's Battle.net. The Ultima series, first released in 1981, has a 60% chance of appearing on Steam as EA is reintroducing classic titles on the platform. MiHoYo's games Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, released in September 2020, April 2023, and July 2024 respectively, have a 40% chance of releasing on Steam, depending on MiHoYo's revenue strategy. Fortnite, released in July 2017, has a 2% chance of coming to Steam as Epic Games seeks to retain full control over its revenue. Riot Games' titles, including League of Legends and Valorant, released between October 2009 and June 2020, have a 15% chance of being on Steam due to their profitable ecosystems. Minecraft, launched in November 2011, has a 50% chance of releasing on Steam, though integrating its Java and Bedrock editions poses challenges. Star Citizen, which began its first playable module in August 2013, has a 15% chance of coming to Steam due to its unique monetization strategy and ongoing development issues.

AppWizard

October 12, 2024

Disco Elysium ‘spiritual successor’ in development at new video game studio

Longdue is a new game developer creating a "spiritual successor" to the 2019 title Disco Elysium, with a team of 12 that includes former contributors to the original game and talent from Bungie and Rockstar. Their first project is a "psychogeographic RPG" focusing on the dynamics between the conscious and subconscious. Disco Elysium, the predecessor, is a BAFTA-winning RPG known for its narrative and themes, but its future became uncertain after disputes at developer ZA/UM, leading to legal battles and the scrapping of sequel plans. Longdue has confirmed that key figures from Disco Elysium, including lead designer Robert Kurvitz and lead artist Aleksander Rostov, are not part of the new project, which is being led by Grant Roberts from Bungie and Rocksteady.