- Google allegedly gave $360 million in ad credits and co-marketing incentives to Activision Blizzard to ensure that its games launched on the Google Play Store alongside rival platforms.
- Further, Google allegedly had a campaign internally called “Project Hug,” which attracted developers to the Play Store.
- Some internal emails indicate that Google was intent on discouraging developers from setting up their own rival app stores.
Most of us recognize the Google Play Store as the premier destination to download and install apps and games on our Android phones. But Android has also long remained an open platform, allowing third parties to make it their own home. How does the Google Play Store remain the top choice for all the top apps and games? In addition to just being good, Google apparently also provides incentives to developers to keep them attracted to the Play Store.
According to a report from Bloomberg, sourcing court proceedings in the Epic Games vs. Google saga and the accompanying internal documents, Google allegedly provided incentives worth $360 million to Activision Blizzard to ensure that its games launched on the Google Play Store alongside rival platforms.