they talk about alternative stores as well but fail to do a great reporting on the issue ... a alternative appstore that need's google approve it's simply not a real alternative.

From https://keepandroidopen.org/ In August 2025, Google announced ↗ that as of September 2026, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:

• Paying a fee to Google
• Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
• Providing government identification
• Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key
• Listing all current and future application identifiers

Reminder: Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has defended child pornography, saying that stopping it is "gatekeeping".

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't this be used as a precedent for other app makers that are screwed over by google's monopoly?

So after all that, Epic just got the commission cut by 1/3? Wonder how long it'll take their savings to equal what they spent on legal fees and the revenue they missed while Fortnite wasn't on the Play Store.

edit: Ars' coverage says attorneys' fees were included in the settlement, so I guess Epic only needs to make up the missed revenue.

Alright so

Line must go up, so where are they going to recoup that loss of revenue?

Interesting differences in the apple case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games_v._Apple