This is the Daily Tech News for Friday, December 12th, 2025. We tell you what you need to know,

give you the important context, and help each other understand. Today, Scott Johnson tells us why

the Game Awards is an early sign of a gaming slowdown. And we get yet another ruling in the

forever Epic versus Apple case. Yet another ruling. I'm Jason Howell. I'm Jen Cutter. Let's start with what you need to know with a big story.

Apple, okay. So yes, we're going to talk about Apple and Epic Games again. I feel like this is the story that

never goes away, but it's just the way it works sometimes in tech news. Apple mostly lost its contempt appeal in the forever, I like how you put it,

Forever Epic Games case.

That really is how it feels right now.

Ninth Circuit affirmed that Apple willfully violated the 2021 anti-steering injunction by using a 27%

external link commission and then also challenging

Apple's use of implementing like design choices and Ux choices that made external payments,

quote, as hard to use as possible, you know, scare prompt tactics, that sort of stuff.

The opinion notes that Apple's 27% structure, as possible, you know, scare prompt tactics, that sort of stuff.

The opinion notes that Apple's 27% structure, some are referring to this as junk fees,

effectively erased any benefit of steering users to outside payments.

And it agrees there was clear and convincing evidence of civil contempt. So the core injunction that Apple must allow links and steering to external payment methods remains in force.

Apple did not lose across the board.

And it's important to point this out.

They didn't lose entirely.

I think a lot of people and sites

writing about this, you know, were proclaiming this massive, you know, another victory for Epic. And it is a

big victory for Epic. But Apple gets something here too. The panel has held that the prior order went

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