This April, a U.S. federal court ruled that Apple violated a previous order by preventing developers from directing users to out-of-app payment methods. This decision marks a significant step forward for game developers and app creators, providing new opportunities to monetize without App Store restrictions.
What Changed for Developers?
- 27% Commissions Removed: Apple can no longer take a cut of out-of-app transactions. That’s pure revenue back into your hands.
- Scare Screens Eliminated: Those friction-heavy warnings that discouraged users from paying outside the app? Gone.
- Clear Path to External Payments: Developers can now use links and buttons to direct users to external payment methods without Apple's interference.
This is a game-changer for developers who have been limited by Apple's policies for years.
What the Ruling Means for In-Game Commerce
Our COO, Marca Wosoba, sees this as a positive change:
"This is a huge win for the gaming industry, as well as the wider app ecosystem. It opens the door for innovation within the thus-far overly monopolized space of in-game commerce. There is huge potential for creating added value for both developers and consumers with more modern implementations of payments within games and apps."
The shift is real. Developers can now:
- Direct users to external payment options seamlessly with clear links and buttons right inside your apps.
- Communicate freely with players using contact information gathered during sign-up or registration.
- Unlock new pricing strategies by offering bundles, exclusive deals, and alternative payment methods outside the App Store ecosystem.
- Reduce friction in purchase flows, improving user experience without Apple's mandated barriers.
- Keep more revenue from these external transactions - no more 27% cuts.
At ZBD, we're prepared to support developers in building these new direct-to-consumer experiences. With Apple’s grip loosened, game creators can explore new ways to innovate and engage their communities, all while keeping more of their revenue.
How ZBD Unlocks New Revenue Streams
ZBD empowers developers to create fully branded, direct payment experiences that take full advantage of the new possibilities. Here’s how:
- P2P Trading Ecosystems: Allowing players to buy, sell, and trade in-game items directly. Unlock a new layer of community-driven economies that were previously stifled by platform restrictions.
- Rewards: ZBD’s infrastructure supports seamless, instant real-money nanorewards that drive engagement, with full support for custom game currencies.
- Unified Checkout & Subscriptions:ZBD provides embedded checkout solutions that enable seamless purchases and subscriptions, with ZBD handling all the payment flows through our infrastructure, enabling minimum processing fees while avoiding Apple’s commission.
These features and more are currently available for select partners as we get ready for wider rollout. Get in touch if it sounds interesting and let’s explore implementation options!
Moving Forward
With Apple’s policies evolving, developers have the chance to take control of their game economies. Now is the time to rethink payment experiences, boost player engagement, and unlock new monetization pathways.
Ready to build a better revenue model? Let’s talk.
