Top 50 Mobile Games May Face 20% Fee Under New Play Store Rules

Google and Epic Games are proposing significant changes to Play Store fees for mobile games, introducing a new two-tier policy based on the type of in-app purchase. Under their new global settlement, in-app purchases that grant a gameplay advantage, such as loot boxes, boosters, gacha draws, or items that affect player power or game outcomes, will be subject to a 20% fee. 

Purchases that are purely cosmetic, like skins or visual items, or content subscriptions, will face a lower fee of 9%. For developers who use Google’s own billing service, there will be an additional 5% charge on top of these rates.

The Top 50 Mobile Games Could be Affected by the Changes

According to Sensor Tower data, 37 of the top 50 grossing Play Store games featured loot boxes, and the majority included mechanics that could trigger the higher 20% fee. In fact, all of October’s top 50 US grossers are likely to face the 20% charge on some or all in-app purchases, given that most feature IAPs impacting game progression, rewards, or player competitiveness. Cosmetics and subscriptions are categorized for the lower tier, but supplemental models (like starter packs, battle passes, or PvP-related rewards) are under review regarding their exact fee status.

This change follows regulatory and legal battles between Google and Epic Games, requiring the Play Store to accommodate alternative payments and greater transparency in revenue sharing worldwide. The specifics of what qualifies as a "gameplay advantage" remain somewhat ambiguous and may evolve, with bundles containing both gameplay and cosmetic items defaulting to the higher 20% rate unless it establishes pro-rating. 

Cosmetic-centric games like Fortnite are in the lower 9% bracket, but hybrid monetization models, such as battle passes, subscription packs granting resource boosts, or currency that can be spent on both cosmetic and non-cosmetic items, create grey areas that developers and Google must closely monitor. The proposal allows the 20% rate to apply to bundles or mixed purchases, unless careful attribution can be demonstrated.