Last week, Apple and Google shocked the video game community when both tech giants removed Fortnite from their respective app stores. The removal of the game occurred after Epic introduced its own in-game payment system that allowed players to purchase V-Bucks directly from Epic, bypassing the 30% commission fee of both Apple and Google.
Of course, Epic retaliated by filing separate anti-trust lawsuits against the two tech giants, and it appears that Apple is striking back once more. Recent reports about the ongoing feud between Epic and Apple revealed that, apart from removing Fortnite from the App Store, Apple is blocking Unreal Engine on its platforms by August 28. So what does this mean? And what does Apple have to say about it?
To those unfamiliar, Unreal Engine is owned by Epic Games, and blocking it on Apple’s platforms would mean that Epic would be unable to develop tools for iOS and Mac. In a statement released by Epic, the company revealed that this move by Apple is an “outrageous retaliation” especially since Unreal Engine never violated any of Apple’s policies.
Additionally, Epic revealed that Apple‘s decision to block the Unreal Engine on iOS and Mac would have a severe impact on its business. Without access to development tools, app developers relying on the Unreal Engine would be forced to jump on other game development tools, which basically means that should Apple continue its plan to block the Unreal Engine by August 28, Epic stands to lose a significant number of its customers.
“If the Unreal Engine can no longer support Apple platforms, the software developers that use it will be forced to use alternatives,” Epic said in a legal document. “The damage to Epic’s ongoing business and to its reputation and trust with its customers will be unquantifiable and irreparable. Preliminary injunctive relief is necessary to prevent Apple from casting Epic before this case could ever get to a judgment.”
Shortly after Epic’s statement about Apple blocking Unreal Engine on its platforms, a spokesperson for Apple spoke out about the ongoing situation. In a statement, Apple acknowledged that it wants to keep Epic Games “as part of the Apple Developer Program” and its apps on the App Store. Additionally, the spokesperson clarified that Apple has no personal grudge against Epic. However, the decision to remove Fortnite from the App Store was in response to Epic failing to adhere to Apple’s guidelines.
Moreover, Apple said that Epic can easily remedy the problem that “it has created for itself” by simply updating its app so it complies to the guidelines that Epic Games and all other developers on the App Store have agreed upon. Apple also said that it will not be giving Epic Games any special treatment saying, “we won’t make an exception for Epic because we don’t think it’s right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers.” Although Apple did not specifically address the Unreal Engine issue, it is likely that the only way for Apple not to continue its plans to block access Epic’s access to development tools is for Epic to update Fortnite and revert back to the payment system that adheres to Apple’s strict guidelines, unless the courts intervene of course.
In the end, it appears that the on-going feud between Epic and Apple won’t be going away anytime soon unless one concedes to the demand of the other. Of course, should Epic succeed in its lawsuit, then it could lead to Apple reducing its 30% commission on all software developers in the App Store, which will be problematic for the company given the massive revenue it earns from in-app purchases alone. However, if Apple prevails, then Epic would be faced with two choices: either swallow its pride and comply with Apple’s policies to earn Fortnite’s place back in the App Store, or find another way to bring Fortnite to mobile, which is possible for Android devices, but not iOS.
Fortnite is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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