Japanese media company MIXI has announced that its popular mobile game Monster Strike now supports out-of-app payment, allowing players to make purchases outside of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The new system uses App-Pay, an online payment service run by Japanese company Digital Garage, to process transactions for in-game currency and items.

This change follows a growing trend among Japanese mobile game developers who are moving away from traditional app store payment systems. The shift gained momentum after Japan passed the Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act in June 2024. According to law firm Mori & Partners, the Act aims to prevent large tech companies from using gatekeeping practices that limit market competition and restrict consumer options. One of the Act’s main goals is to give developers more freedom in choosing their payment methods.

The financial difference between payment systems is significant. Both Apple and Google typically charge a 30% transaction fee on in-app purchases (15% for smaller companies), which takes a substantial portion of a developer’s revenue. In contrast, App-Pay only charges a 5% transaction fee, making it a more cost-effective option for game companies.

App-Pay has gained traction in the Japanese mobile gaming market, with Monster Strike joining nearly 40 other mobile games that currently use the service. To encourage players to use App-Pay, Monster Strike is offering exclusive free in-game items and special benefits to those who choose this payment method.

The move toward payment flexibility isn’t limited to mobile games. Other Japanese content platforms, including DLSite and Toranoana, have recently introduced their own independent payment services as alternatives to credit card processors like Visa and Mastercard, though their reasons for doing so vary.