It's not the same model though, is it? I can buy XBox, PS an Nintendo games in a shit ton of physical or digital stores. So there are different channels. There is no equivalent on iOS. If you don't want to publish in the app store, no one will be able to install your app (developers with own certs and enterprise customers with mdm excluded).
A chunk of those sales go to the platform, regardless of where they're bought. And you can't just sell an Xbox/playstation game without permission and royalties
This is true, but they're also now selling digital-only consoles. For some customers, the digital store is their only choice.
Don't/can't you still buy codes in other stores, though?
You can buy Apple gift cards in other stores too
But not directly the apps. I can, however, for example buy codes for individual xbox games from different vendors.
Right, but I feel that this method of distribution is very similar to gift cards in that the retailer has no control over pricing, promotions, etc. additionally, these codes cannot be re-used.
It's not the same model though, is it? I can buy XBox, PS an Nintendo games in a shit ton of physical or digital stores. So there are different channels. There is no equivalent on iOS. If you don't want to publish in the app store, no one will be able to install your app (developers with own certs and enterprise customers with mdm excluded).
A chunk of those sales go to the platform, regardless of where they're bought. And you can't just sell an Xbox/playstation game without permission and royalties
This is true, but they're also now selling digital-only consoles. For some customers, the digital store is their only choice.
Don't/can't you still buy codes in other stores, though?
You can buy Apple gift cards in other stores too
But not directly the apps. I can, however, for example buy codes for individual xbox games from different vendors.
Right, but I feel that this method of distribution is very similar to gift cards in that the retailer has no control over pricing, promotions, etc. additionally, these codes cannot be re-used.