Microsoft President discusses metaverse economy and Meta pricing model
Brad Smith isn’t expecting Microsoft to manage metaverse money like Meta.
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What you need to know
It’s the word on everyone’s mind right now (at least, everyone in Big Tech): Metaverse. Where there’s a new tech frontier, there are new ways to monetize content, and companies are starting to reveal how they plan to make money off the new dimension of technology. Microsoft President Brad Smith recently provided some insight into his company’s thinking on the matter.
Speaking onCNBC’s TechCheck, Smith was asked by show host Jon Fortt whetherMicrosoft is going to emulate Meta, which plans to impose up to a 47.5% fee (30% for sales on Quest and a 25% sales fee tacked onto the remaining amount for Meta’s new Horizon Worlds metaverse platform) on creators selling goods within its metaverse ecosystem. Such a cut from Meta would leave creators with 52.5%, should Meta take the maximum amount it’s currently outlined.
“I will be very surprised if you see something like that at Microsoft,” Smith said. After that opening remark, he mentioned how Microsoft’s view of themetaverse conceptisn’t monolithic, referencing the different “metaverse” sectors Microsoft already operates within, including its IVAS AR headset deal with the U.S. Army (a deal that has seen somereported road bumps). “One way you make room for developers is: You offer them a good deal,” he continued, emphasizing that Microsoft is keen on attracting developers with enticing offers.
Smith’s sentiment echoes Microsoft’s previous amendments to its existing storefront. The company recently reduced the cut it takes from many developers as well as outlined a list of dedicatedopen app store principles.
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Robert Carnevale is the News Editor for Windows Central. He’s a big fan of Kinect (it lives on in his heart), Sonic the Hedgehog, and the legendary intersection of those two titans, Sonic Free Riders. He is the author ofCold War 2395. Have a useful tip? Send it to robert.carnevale@futurenet.com.
