<p>In this ultra-special episode, Chip Thurston (FastSpring) returns to break down the current reality of D2C - what’s allowed today, what’s changing, and why publishers need to act immediately.</p><p>We unpack the Epic–Google settlement, the new fee structure, what’s enforceable (and what probably isn’t), and why Japan&#39;s new regulation on December 18 will reshape global payments.</p><p><br></p><p>What you’ll learn</p><p>• Why iOS and Android steering IS legal right now</p><p>• Why publishers shouldn’t wait for “final clarity”</p><p>• How to use D2C purchase data to optimize UA</p><p>• How attribution to webshops actually works</p><p>• The truth about Google’s 20% vs 9% fee categories</p><p>• Why the judge is skeptical of the Google–Epic settlement</p><p>• How social steering, landing pages, and Discord avoid fees</p><p>• Why Japan’s new law will supercharge D2C</p><p>• The strategic window publishers must seize NOW</p><p><br></p><p>Key takeaway</p><p>The publishers who act NOW - not when rules are “final” will own the highest-value customers for years.</p><p><br></p><p>Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop</p><p>---------------------------------------</p><p>For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.</p><p>Our sponsor FastSpring:</p><p>Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 years</p><p>They power top mobile publishers around the world</p><p>Launch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.</p><p>---------------------------------------</p><p>This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let&#39;s not take it too seriously.</p><p>Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠</p><p>Chip Thurston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thurstonchip/</p><p><br></p><p>Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipg</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 — The real state of D2C: iOS + Android steering is live now</p><p>06:30 — Why publishers hesitate, and why that’s a huge mistake</p><p>09:40 — The business value of D2C: data, UA optimization, retention</p><p>13:20 — Epic–Google settlement explained: timelines, confusion, loopholes</p><p>26:00 — The future: fees, global laws, Japan, and why the window won’t last</p><p>---------------------------------------</p><p>Matej Lancaric</p><p>User Acquisition &amp; Creatives Consultant</p><p>⁠https://lancaric.me</p><p>Felix Braberg</p><p>Ad monetization consultant</p><p>⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com</p><p>Jakub Remiar</p><p>Game design consultant</p><p>⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar</p><p>---------------------------------------</p><p>Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs &amp; cats. Especially cats! They love it!</p><p>Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!</p><p>Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]</p><p>---------------------------------------</p><p>If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &amp; sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric</p><p>Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai</p>