This Reddit strike is the most Reddit thing I’ve seen.
I don’t even understand the issue in the first place, you can either use the official app for free with ads, or use a third party app for something like $2 a month.
I don’t even understand the issue in the first place, you can either use the official app for free with ads, or use a third party app for something like $2 a month.
So, yes ~$2-3/user/month. The 3p app has to charge the user and then pay reddit. In the case of Apollo, it is to the tune of $20M a year. Apollo (the app) is developed by 1 person and so are most other 3p apps. Suddenly (with months notice) they are going to be billed millions.
Even after the user pays to use a 3p app, they cannot access any NSFW content through it.
This isn't a case of opportunity cost or lost revenue, reddit simply wants 3p apps gone.
There have already been multiple analysis done that no 3rd party client can survive this given the new pricing for the API. $2 a month won't cut it.
There were many options Reddit had to improve its API, define a contract with API callers, etc. but, Reddit didn't do enough.
/u/spez doesn't want my money, he wants to drive out 3rd party clients so he can (try to) make even more money by limiting and controlling the ways people can use the site.