Episode
The Epic Settlement: Google's "Level Up" Program & The Future of DTC
- Podcast
- Deconstructor of Fun
- Published
- Mar 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1882
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Summary
It's been 2030 days since Google pulled Fortnite, and the Epic vs. Google settlement is finally here. We sit down with AppCharge CMO Gil Tovly to read the fine print of Google’s new 15% fee, unpack the mandatory AI sidekicks in the "Level Up" program, and figure out if this is actually a win for developers going direct-to-consumer. Questions we answer in this episode: ● What is the real cost of Google's new 15% fee structure? ● What exactly is the "Level Up" program and why are top studios hesitating to join? ● Do developers really have to integrate an AI sidekick into their games? ● What does the settlement mean for existing users versus new users? ● Does this change the math on building direct-to-consumer web shops? ● When (if ever) will Apple follow Google’s lead and lower their App Store fees? ● Is the Epic settlement a monumental win for the industry or just an anti-climactic sellout? Michail Katkoff | Gil Tovly