DMM Games, one of Japan’s biggest digital game platforms and publishers, has announced plans to release its own app store for iOS devices. The platform is operated by EXNOA and currently serves over 40 million users, hosting well-known titles like Kantai Collection and Touken Ranbu Online, as well as being the domestic publisher of Shuten Order from Too Kyo Games and Neilo.

According to Famitsu, DMM Games stated it “may offer a variety of services, including R-rated versions of games,” though fully adult-rated content appears to still be under consideration.

The move is a direct response to changes Apple made to its App Store guidelines following Japan’s “Mobile Software Competition Act” (MSCA). The law was passed in 2024 and took full effect on December 18, 2025. Its goal is to promote fair competition in the mobile software market and reduce the dominance of major tech companies like Apple and Google.

One of its key requirements is that operating systems must be opened up to allow third-party app stores, which is what makes DMM Games’ initiative possible. Apple has responded with some countermeasures of its own since the law came into effect.

Apple and Google’s app stores are widely known for charging developers a commission of up to 30% on transactions. By running its own store, DMM Games would avoid those fees entirely. On top of that, a proprietary store gives the company more freedom over what content it can distribute. The company is targeting a launch sometime in June or later, though no exact date has been confirmed.