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Microsoft Plans To Lower to Developers Fees

By  |  April 29, 2021

Microsoft will decrease the share of money it charges independent developers that publish PC games on its online store, starting in August, reported The New York Times.

Developers will keep 88% of the revenue from their games, up from 70%. That could make Microsoft’s store more attractive to independent studios than competitors like Valve’s gaming store, called Steam, which typically starts by taking a 30% cut. Epic Games’ store takes 12%.

“We want to make sure that we’re competitive in the market,” said Sarah Bond, a Microsoft vice president who leads the gaming ecosystem organization. “Our objective is to have a leading revenue share and really a leading platform.”

The share of revenue that developers get to keep has come under greater scrutiny across the tech industry. Google and Apple have faced antitrust questions for the 30% fees they charge developers whose programs appear in their app stores.

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