Tencent games briefly disappeared from Huawei app store ‘due to revenue dispute’

Tencent’s Android games had briefly disappeared from Huawei’s Android app store. According to Reuters, it is a disagreement between the two Chinese parties over how the proceeds will be divided, but the games have returned fairly quickly.

Reuters writes that Tencent would not agree with the fifty percent revenue payment that Huawei would ask. As a result of the conflict, all Tencent games disappeared on Friday, but they also returned on the same day. Huawei did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters, with Tencent only saying that “both parties will continue to work together to provide consumers with better experiences and services”.

According to research firms citing Reuters, Huawei controls 41.4 percent of the Chinese phone market. Because the Google Play Store is not allowed in China, various Chinese parties offer app stores, including phone manufacturers themselves. Therefore, this case has a greater impact in China. Tencent itself also offers a large app store and it is the publisher of games such as PUBG Mobile.

Epic Games, which is 40 percent owned by Tencent, has a quarrel with Apple in the Western world over the revenue distribution at the App Store. The company contributes thirty percent there, but that is no longer the case. A lawsuit about this will start in 2021.