Open App Store Principles are a collection of best practices developed by Microsoft for use in its Windows app store and future gaming console marketplaces, according to the company. They essentially equate to Microsoft expressly vowing not to engage in practises that Google and Apple, in particular, have been accused of engaging in — such as obtaining unfair advantages over developers who depend on their own app marketplaces.
According to Microsoft, the principles are designed to assuage concerns about the company’s recent purchase of Activision Blizzard and to distinguish it from two of its major competitors, whose app store limitations have prompted litigation and legislative action.
In a statement, Microsoft said that the Open App Store Principles are “based on app store legislation that is now being reviewed by governments throughout the globe,” including those in the United States and the EU. A blog post describing the new policy states: “We want regulators and the public to know that Microsoft is dedicated to complying with these new regulations as a business and that with these principles, we’re moving forward to accomplish that goal.”
There are many who question whether or not the concepts of today’s Xbox console shop can be applied instantly and in their entirety.
This week, Microsoft revealed a new set of Open App Store Principles to help the company win regulatory clearance for its purchase of Activision Blizzard earlier than expected.
Here’s what they said:
Our new Open App Store Principles are being announced today and will be applied to the Microsoft Store for Windows and our upcoming gaming marketplaces. Our purchase of Activision Blizzard has prompted us to create these principles in order to meet Microsoft’s rising position and responsibilities in global capitals. While many countries are enacting new legislation to encourage competition in app stores and beyond, this regulatory process starts. Using these guiding principles, we want to demonstrate to authorities and the general public that Microsoft is serious about complying with these new rules.
It is Microsoft’s belief that additional regulations will deliver the greatest possible experience for both developers and consumers, notably in the United States, South Korea and the Netherlands where new app store laws is now being developed.
Quality, Safety, Security & Privacy, Accountability, Fairness & Transparency, and Developer Choice are the four pillars of the organisation. When it comes to issues that have been widely criticised by the public (such as Apple’s privacy policies), this step will undoubtedly put pressure on Apple.
In our app store, all applications will be treated equally, with no preference or rating given to our own or those of our business partners.
The promotion and marketing policies in our app store will be open and transparent, with a uniform and impartial application.
In-app payments will not be a requirement for developers in our store to utilise our payment system.
In our app store, we will not force app developers to provide more advantageous conditions to our customers than they would in other shops.
Using a separate payment processing method or offering different terms and conditions in other app stores will not put developers at a disadvantage with us.
We will not stop app developers from connecting directly with their consumers for legitimate commercial objectives, such as pricing terms and product or service offers, via their applications.
Other important points include a promise to enable Windows sideloading to continue.
Microsoft, on the other hand, has made it plain that these regulations do not apply “wholesale” to their Xbox system. Provisions 8-11 of the statement, which deal with in-app payments, other app stores, alternative payment methods, and direct consumer communications, will not be implemented.
It’s an interesting oversight, given that in the Epic Games vs Apple trial, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers stated in her ruling against Epic that the court had “never been satisfied” that its aftermarket theory regarding Apple’s App Store “would not also apply to other platform holders with similar walled garden models in the wider gaming market, including Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. According to her, there is no foundation in existing antitrust legislation for distinguishing between iOS and consoles as general-purpose vs special-purpose devices when it comes to variables affecting Apple’s iOS ecosystem and products like the iPhone 13.
Eventually, Microsoft adds, it wants to close the gap in this manner.
As time goes on, we’ll work to close the remaining gaps. The spirit of such regulations should be incorporated even farther than their reach, while also ensuring that the requirements of game creators, players, and the competitive and healthy game-console ecosystems are protected.
With this philosophical approach in mind, we think that we can better serve our users and developers by promoting a more open app market. With their cooperation we can establish a more successful gaming company in the long run.