Delta Emulator Now on Patreon: Adapting to App Store Changes

Delta Emulator Leverages App Store Ruling for Patreon Support

The game emulator, Delta, is capitalizing on a recent judicial decision concerning Apple’s App Store policies. This allows the application to directly link to its Patreon membership page, bolstering its financial model.

This update, which received approval for release on the U.S. App Store on Wednesday, enables Delta users to subscribe to the Delta team’s Patreon directly within the mobile application. Crucially, this bypasses Apple’s standard commission on subscriptions.

The Impact of the Epic Games Ruling

The change stems from last week’s court ruling that compelled Apple to fully open its U.S. App Store to external purchasing options. This followed a prolonged legal battle initiated by Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite.

Although Apple largely prevailed in the antitrust lawsuit, the judge determined that the technology company had not fully adhered to the court’s directives regarding in-app purchases.

Previous Restrictions and Commissions

Previously, Apple rigorously vetted applications seeking to include links to external websites. Furthermore, the company displayed cautionary screens intended to discourage users from completing purchases through alternative payment systems.

Despite these measures, Apple continued to levy a commission of 27% on sales made via these web-based channels, a reduction from its typical 30% fee.

New App Store Rules and Business Adaptations

Following Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’s ruling that Apple had not complied with the initial injunction, Apple revised its App Store regulations for the U.S. market.

Consequently, companies such as Spotify, Amazon Kindle, and Patreon have updated their iOS applications to incorporate links to their websites. This allows consumers to make payments directly, circumventing Apple’s in-app purchase system.

While larger corporations benefit from retaining a greater portion of their revenue by avoiding Apple’s commission, Delta’s update demonstrates how the ruling facilitates innovative monetization strategies for mobile applications.

Supporting Indie Development

This shift could provide a much-needed stimulus to the App Store, particularly at a time when independent app development is experiencing a decline. Each new iOS release often replicates the functionality of existing third-party applications.

Smaller developers frequently find it challenging to sustain their businesses after remitting a 30% commission to Apple. The expanded support for web payments now offers them an opportunity to retain a larger share of their earnings.

Delta’s Patreon Integration

The latest version of Delta’s game emulator prompts users to “Join our Patreon” from within the app’s Settings menu.

Users can then click a button to subscribe to Delta’s $3 monthly Patreon membership, granting access to exclusive features and additional benefits.

The webpage loads directly within the application, enabling users to connect their Patreon accounts and select a membership level, such as monthly or annual billing. (Previously, users could only link their Patreon account, but not subscribe directly through the app.)

“We are now able to openly promote our Patreon without Apple taking 27% of donations,” Delta creator Riley Testut stated on social media. He added, “Farewell to scare screens” – referencing the previously required warnings discouraging external purchases.

Apple’s In-App Purchase Option Remains

Delta continues to offer the option of payment through Apple’s in-app purchase system, as is still mandated.

However, this option is relegated to an “Alternative Payment Methods” menu within the Settings screen – a location that many users are unlikely to discover.

Apple’s History of Obscuring Options

Concealing user-friendly options within multiple layers of menus is a tactic Apple has historically employed to its advantage.

For example, disabling Apple’s personalized advertising requires navigating to iOS Settings, then Privacy & Security, scrolling to Apple Advertising, and toggling off Personalized Ads. Similarly, clearing app usage data to personalize the App Store experience involves a similarly convoluted path through Settings > Apps > App Store.

It is reasonable to question whether Apple would object to developers adopting similar strategies?

Future Implications

With Apple’s App Review having approved Delta’s updated application, it is anticipated that other Patreon-supported apps will emerge in the coming months.