Why Apple’s new rules for games in China could spell trouble for indies
Apple and TikTok maker ByteDance are asking for developers to show game licenses as China tightens its grip on video game publishing
Four years after China declared that all games need to be approved by the state, Apple is now moving to enforce that rule on its iOS App Store in China. And the move could spell trouble for creative indie games.
In a notice to developers, Apple said it’s now requesting all games with in-app purchases to submit their licenses by June 30th this year. Apple isn’t alone; ByteDance is also looking to enforce this rule on its own mini app store on China’s TikTok, Douyin, but the company didn’t give a specific deadline.
As it stands, this new requirement only applies to games with in-app purchases, so free games like those supported by ads are spared. But it could hit foreign indie developers especially hard.
“Only Chinese citizens or Chinese companies can hold the copyright for games approved [by the National Radio and Television Administration],” AppInChina marketing manager Todd Kuhns said. “So in order for these iOS games to go through the approval process and get that ISBN, they will have to sign over their copyright to a Chinese partner.”
Android app stores in China have been complying with this regulation since 2016, but with Apple now on board, some people fear what it means for independent developers both inside and outside the country. Industry watchers expect that there will be a significant reduction in the number of games available on the App Store in China as a result.
