App developers no longer have to give anything to Microsoft from July 28th
Microsoft will implement its new Store policy from July 28. Developers can then use their own payment methods in their programs and do not have to pay any commission. Games are exempt from that scheme.
The new policies are part of the innovations Microsoft announced with the launch of Windows 11, but also apply to the download store in Windows 10. Starting July 28, developers can add third party commerce platforms to their apps and payments made in them will not be necessary. no commission to be paid.
Currently, all software in the Microsoft Store has yet to use the payment platform integrated into the download store. Microsoft collects 15 percent of all payments in commission. This revenue model is also used by other download stores, such as the Apple App Store, the download stores on consoles and Steam.
If developers want to sell their app in the Microsoft Store, they still pay a commission to Microsoft. However, it will be possible to offer software for free with other payment methods, for example for unlocking a full version or for taking out a subscription. Adobe has already announced that it will bring its Creative Cloud package to the Microsoft Store in this way and Disney+ will also offer its streaming app.
Games excluded
Microsoft does make a specific exception for games. Microsoft continues to earn a commission on both the sale of games and the sale of in-game purchases. In April, Microsoft lowered that commission for PC games to 12 percent and will remain so. Microsoft has not explained why an exception is made for games. This may have to do with the lucrative market for free-to-play games. That is about a hundred billion dollars a year.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, who is fighting lawsuits against high commission rates from companies like Apple and Google, responded on Twitter enthusiastically to Microsoft’s policy change. It’s not clear if Sweeney was aware of the games exception. In the Windows 11 presentation, Microsoft did not explicitly mention that exception.
More freedoms for developers
Immediately, developers can publish any kind of app in the Microsoft Store, regardless of the framework or package technology used. The main consequence of this is that software developers can now put their existing Win32 applications in the download store without modification. Microsoft provides more details about the changes in a developer blog.
More stores in the Microsoft Store
Microsoft also announced that Android apps will be available for Windows 11 for download through the Amazon Appstore, which will be integrated into the Microsoft Store. In an interview with The Verge, Windows CEO Panos Panay indicates that Microsoft is open to more such integrations. Steam and the Epic Games Store could also become part of the Windows download store in this way. However, if its operators have to pay a commission to Microsoft for every sale, that seems unlikely. You may not have to, as the store-in-store integration is different from publishing a game to the Microsoft Store.
Redesigned Microsoft Store