Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news editorial.
Apple's App Store, once celebrated for its convenience and accessibility, has been criticized for overly stifling innovation commission expenses And ever-changing rules and restrictions. These monopolistic practices also caught the attention of the US Department of Justice File a lawsuit against Apple in March and its Drove To an additional hearing.
Apple is not the only company, as the Google App Store continues to face similar illegal monopoly claims in… processing Legal battle with Epic Games. Since the payment systems of various app distributors are not compatible with cryptocurrencies, cryptocurrency-related apps have been particularly hard hit by the high fees and restrictions imposed by these platforms, forcing developers to disable features or… Limit Careers.
What if the solution to the problems of cryptocurrency app stores was not to try to appease the owners of these markets, but to bypass them altogether?
By circumventing traditional app distribution channels, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer developers an opportunity to regain independence and reach audiences outside of the App Store. PWAs are applications built using web platform technologies that provide a user experience like that of the platform's own applications.
Developers publish the PWA online, and users can then add the app to their device's home screen directly from the browser. Once a PWA is installed on a mobile device, it can be run directly from the operating system, just like an app you can download from an app store.
In short, if developers code their app in a certain way, mobile browsers will render the app and enable a seamless app-like experience right within the browser. In doing so, they bypass app stores entirely.
Apple and Google are troubled by cryptocurrency elements in their app stores, especially features that enable users to avoid traditional payment systems and reduce distributor control. Therefore, app stores typically do not allow peer-to-peer trading, dynamic pricing, and wallet connections.
What's more, the Apple App Store fees 27% commission on every transaction, and any transaction The benefit of NFT is Forbidden Unless purchased in-app.
If a developer wants to link to other ways to purchase, they will need to go through the arduous process of submitting an application for StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement. Apple then reviews the app to ensure it complies with the entitlement terms and conditions, and each time the app sends traffic to an external link, the App Store displays the user with an in-app system disclosure page.
PWAs can bridge the gap between web3 games and web2 mobile platforms by combining the benefits of traditional websites and platform-specific apps. PWAs provide easy access, a unified experience across operating systems, and a comprehensive, decentralized alternative to traditional app marketplaces.
For play-to-win games in particular, PWAs provide a way for users to participate outside of desktop, without arbitrary restrictions that make it nearly impossible for developers to successfully launch this style of mobile gaming.
Furthermore, the ability to deliver full web3 mobile gaming experiences can enhance communication between players, increase user engagement, and allow developers to maintain control of their gaming systems.
Despite some developers' skepticism regarding the viability of PWAs for Web 3 gaming, concerns surrounding performance, user acquisition, and market acceptance are largely unfounded. PWAs support features like Apple Pay and push notifications, enabling seamless payments and user interaction. Furthermore, user acquisition of preferential app programs relies on practical, direct channels like Facebook, bypassing the restrictions and huge investments often required to appear in app stores.
While it is true that few developers have extensive experience in building PWA applications, they are pioneers in the field of web3 games, Included Kuroro Beasts, Sui Games, and Pixelverse are committed to navigating this new territory and showing the community the potential of PWAs. Adopting PWA technology will undoubtedly 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 towards mobile gaming app development and explore the untapped potential of PWAs in creating immersive and accessible digital experiences. Developers and gamers alike can stand up against unfair restrictions in the app market, and move toward a future where decentralized innovation can flourish without restrictions.
Because it's not just the games themselves that should reflect the core values of web3 users, but also the means through which we reach them.
Let's move beyond the Apple/Google duopoly to a world that allows app developers and users to truly thrive.
