Just when you thought Fortnite was coming back to iOS, Apple and Epic Games take their feud to new heights. Credit: Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Apple’s recent decision to terminate Epic Games’ developer account marks a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and public relations battle between the two companies. This conflict, which began in August 2020 when Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in its popular game Fortnite, has now reached a new level of intensity.
Epic Games’ termination means that the company can no longer submit new apps or updates for its existing apps on the App Store. While users who have already downloaded Fortnite or other Epic games can continue to use them, they will not receive any updates, including new content or bug fixes. This move by Apple was justified on the grounds that Epic Games repeatedly submitted updates designed to violate the App Store guidelines, which was seen as unfair to other developers and as putting customers in the middle of their dispute.
Apple’s actions have been met with criticism from Epic Games, which argues that the company’s App Store policies monopolize the mobile app space and harm both developers and consumers by enforcing high commission fees and restricting payment options. This dispute has led to a series of legal challenges, with Epic Games seeking to have the Supreme Court review its case against Apple. The legal battles have focused on whether Apple’s practices violate antitrust laws and whether its control over the App Store constitutes monopolistic behavior.
In a recent development, Apple terminated another developer account of Epic Games, Epic Games Sweden AB, which Epic intended to use to launch a third-party app store on iOS in the EU. This move was in response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to promote competition and regulate the practices of large online platforms within the EU. Apple’s decision to terminate this account has been criticized by Epic Games as a violation of the DMA and as evidence of Apple’s unwillingness to allow competition on its platform.
Throughout this conflict, both companies have presented their actions as being in the best interest of consumers and developers. Apple argues that its App Store policies are designed to ensure a safe and trusted environment for users, while Epic Games contends that Apple’s practices stifle competition and innovation. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the tech industry, potentially affecting how app stores operate and how developers distribute their apps.
As the battle between Apple and Epic Games unfolds, the future of app distribution on iOS remains uncertain. The termination of Epic Games’ developer account is a significant development in this ongoing legal and public relations battle, and its implications for the tech industry are far-reaching.