Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views and opinions of the crypto.news editorial.
Apple's App Store, once celebrated for its convenience and accessibility, has been criticized for stifling innovation with excessivetech/apple-plans-new-fees-and-restrictions-for-downloads-outside-app-store-f464f426″ target=”_blank” rel=””> commission tech/apple-plans-new-fees-and-restrictions-for-downloads-outside-app-store-f464f426″ target=”_blank” rel=””>fee and ever-changing rules and restrictions. These monopolistic practices have also caught the attention of the United States Department of Justice, whichcrypto-apps-on-ios-at-stake/” target=”_blank” rel=””> defendant Apple in March and has led to an additional audience.
Apple is not alone: Google's app store continues to face similar claims of illegal monopoly in a in progress Legal battle with Epic Games. Since the payment systems of several app distributors are incompatible with digital currencies, cryptocurrency-related apps have been especially affected by the high fees and restrictions of these platforms, forcing developers to disable features ornfts/2022/apple-applies-30-percent-app-store-fee-nfts-limiting-appeal/” target=”_blank” rel=””> limit functionality.
What if the solution to the problems of cryptocurrency app stores lies not in trying to appease the owners of these markets, but in transcending them entirely?
By bypassing traditional app distribution channels, progressive web apps (PWAs) offer developers the opportunity to regain autonomy and reach audiences beyond the App Store. PWAs are applications built with web platform technologies that offer a user experience similar to that of platform-specific applications.
Developers publish a PWA online and users can then add the app to their device's home screen directly from a browser. Once a PWA is installed on a mobile device, it can be launched directly from the operating system, like an app you would download from an app store.
In short, if developers code their app in a certain way, mobile browsers will display the app and allow for a fluid, app-like experience directly within a browser. And in doing so, they avoid app stores entirely.
Apple and Google are concerned about crypto elements in their app stores, particularly features that allow users to bypass traditional payment systems and reduce control by distributors. Therefore, app stores do not typically allow peer-to-peer trading, dynamic pricing, and wallet connections.
What's more, the Apple App Store charges a 27% commission for each transaction, and any The nft utility is forbidden unless purchased in the app.
If a developer wanted to link to other forms of purchasing, they would have to follow the tedious process of submitting a request for StoreKit's external purchasing link right. Apple then reviews the app to make sure it meets the terms and conditions of the right, and whenever the app sends traffic to an external link, the App Store displays an in-app system disclosure page to the user.
PWAs can bridge the gap between web3 games and web2 mobile platforms by combining the benefits of traditional websites and platform-specific applications. PWAs offer easy access, a consistent experience across operating systems, and an inclusive, decentralized alternative to traditional app marketplaces.
Especially for games that are played to earn money, PWAs offer a way for users to interact beyond the desktop, without arbitrary restrictions that make it nearly impossible for developers to successfully launch this style of mobile game.
Additionally, the ability to deliver complete web3 mobile gaming experiences can improve connectivity between players, increase user engagement, and allow developers to maintain control over their gaming ecosystems.
Despite some developers' skepticism regarding the viability of PWAs for web3 games, concerns around performance, user acquisition, and market acceptance are largely unfounded. PWAs support features like Apple Pay and push notifications, allowing for seamless payments and user interaction. Additionally, user acquisition for PWAs relies on convenient and direct channels like facebook, avoiding the restrictions and large investments often required for visibility in app stores.
While it is true that few developers have extensive experience in creating PWAs, pioneers in the web3 gaming space, crypto-gaming-pwas-to-blockchain-kuroro-sui-games-engines-of-fury-and-pixelverse” target=”_blank” rel=””>including Kuroro Beasts, Sui Games and Pixelverse are committed to navigating this new territory and demonstrating the potential of PWAs to the community. Adopting PWA technology will certainly present challenges, but dedicated builders are prepared to overcome these obstacles through optimization and effective marketing strategies.
Now is the time to rethink our approach to mobile gaming app development and explore the untapped potential of PWAs to create immersive and accessible digital experiences. Developers and gamers alike can stand against unfair app market restrictions, moving toward a future where decentralized innovation can flourish without restrictions.
Because it is not only the games themselves that should reflect the fundamental values of web3 users but the same means by which we access them.
Let's move beyond the Apple/Google duopoly to a world that allows app developers and users to truly thrive.
