Copyright : Konstantin Kirillov / 123RF Stock Photo

Gaming platform creator FlowPlay has announced that it has joined the Coalition for App Fairness in a bid to drive change across app publishing ecosystems.

The latter, an independent non-profit formed to protect consumer choice, foster competition, and create a level playing field for all app and game developers globally, advocates for freedom of choice and fair competition across the industry. 

“The current monopolies in mobile app publishing perpetuate ineffective closed models that disproportionately penalise independent game developers and gamers,” said Derrick Morton, CEO of FlowPlay

“The Coalition for App Fairness is highly organised in addressing these issues through global lobbying, establishing partnerships across industries and facilitating important conversations among technology companies. 

“We look forward to partnering with fellow coalition members in 2021 and supporting key initiatives that benefit small and emerging developers. FlowPlay joins CAF in support of efforts to make it easier for developers to launch their games, connect with players, and grow revenues on a level playing field.”

FlowPlay first launched its newest title, Live Game Night, in early 2020 on desktop only, intentionally opting out of the most popular app stores due to concerns over their “anticompetitive practices”. It’s Casino World social casino also made its mobile debut via browser.

FlowPlay warns that, amid forecasts of further growth during the year ahead, “without fair competition across the app ecosystem, game developers are prevented from reaping the full benefits of this trend”. 

With FlowPlay’s support, CAF totals more than 50 members, including Epic Games, Grove Street Games and Match Group, among others.

“As a representative of the games industry and a long-time critic of today’s app store models, FlowPlay is an important addition to the coalition,” said Meghan DiMuzio, executive director of the Coalition for App Fairness

“Developers in the games industry are directly affected by unfair App Store policies and the separate rulebook Apple creates to benefit its own products, like Apple Arcade. 

“We appreciate that leaders like FlowPlay have spoken out on this issue over the years, and we look forward to working with the growing number of CAF’s gaming industry members to advocate for changes that provide more consumer freedom, lower costs, and increase the ability for developers to continue innovating.”