If Fortnite fans were hoping Apple and Epic Games could mend their relationship after Epic Games announced the popular battle royale game would be returning to iPhone in the EU – well, we’ve got some bad news.
According to Epic Games, Apple is completely termination its developer account. As a result, Epic Games will no longer be able to launch the Epic Games Store in the EU.And, this means The Return of Fortnite iPhones may also be cancelled.
“We recently announced that Apple has approved our Epic Games Scotland AB developer account,” said a statement from Epic Games on Wednesday. “Due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), we intend to use this account to bring the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to Europe. iOS devices. To our surprise, Apple has terminated the account and now we are unable to develop the Epic Games Store for iOS.”
Tweet may have been deleted
“This is a serious violation of the DMA and demonstrates that Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices,” statement Epic Games continues.
Here’s what happened between Apple and Epic Games
This month, new EU regulations called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) officially came into effect in the European Union. The rules require big tech companies like Apple to open their core platforms to third parties.
Google loses lawsuit against Fortnite developer Epic Games
The biggest change for Apple is that the company must allow “alternative markets” access to distribute apps on users’ iOS devices, competing directly with its official App Store. The change allows developers who want to circumvent Apple’s App Store rules to still distribute apps to users on iPhones.
Due to Apple’s new DMA requirement rules, Epic Games decided to create its own alternative app market for iPhone and distribute its Fortnite app there, allowing EU players to play the games on iOS for the first time in years.
However, Apple’s new App Store policy has also been affected. harsh criticism Provided by Meta, Microsoft, Spotify and Epic Games itself. While these alternative markets are a step in the right direction, Apple has created a system in which it still profits from developers distributing their apps through these App Store competitors. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney described Apple’s DM-inspired rules as “malicious compliance.”
Epic Games provided an email from Apple in which the iPhone maker cited several statements Sweeney made that were highly critical of the company. Apple cited these statements and Epic Games’ past history with Apple as reasons for terminating the Fortnite developer account.
Tweet may have been deleted
“This is the post Apple cited when it banned the Epic Games Store from competing with the iOS App Store under Europe’s new DMA law,” Sweeney said in a statement. postal on
In his notice to the company, Sweeney cited the X thread cited by Apple, in which the Epic Games CEO accused Apple of monopolizing certain products and services. Apple also cited Sweeney’s “now infamous characterization” of Applemalicious compliance“When dealing with regulations.
The Apple-Epic Games saga continues
The feud between Apple and Epic Games has been going on for years.already 2020apple deleted Fortnite was removed from the App Store after Epic Games introduced a way for Fortnite players to bypass Apple App Store in-app purchases and purchase in-game currency, known as V-Bucks, at a discount.
Fortnite has been unavailable on iOS devices since Epic Games tried to avoid paying Apple its 30% cut on in-app purchases three years ago.
Epic Games and Apple are involved legal battle since.
When the DMA passed in the EU, Epic Games was one of the first major developers to seize the opportunity to take advantage of the new regulations Apple was forced to comply with. Epic Games quickly applied for a developer account and was approved by Apple.so epic game Announce Thanks to these developments, Fortnite will be returning to the EU on iPhone.
Now that Apple has terminated Epic Games’ developer account, all video game developers’ plans are at least indefinitely suspended.
What’s next for Fortnite on iPhone?
Epic Games has made it clear that it will not give up on iPhone users.
“This is a serious violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act,” Epic Games said in a statement about Apple’s termination of its developer account. “We will continue to work hard to get back on iOS!”
Epic Games will lodge a complaint with the European Commission, which could fine Apple and force it to reconsider its decision if it is found to have violated the DMA.
Using the European Commission’s powers is actually feasible because EU regulators have significant sway over Apple. Meta and Microsoft have It is said has been lobbying the EU in response to Apple’s App Store changes.Moreover, Apple is recently fined The penalty in the EU comes after Spotify lodged a formal complaint with EU regulators.
Apple has recently taken an uncharacteristically public stand against Spotify statement Attacks music streaming service that “paid Apple nothing” but wants “more” due to Spotify’s antitrust complaint.
But while Spotify may have cost Apple billions of dollars, it didn’t terminate Spotify’s developer accounts like Epic Games did. Apple cited Epic Games’ public criticism as one of the factors that ended the two companies’ developer relationship. However, Spotify has also been publicly critical.
What makes Epic Games so different from Spotify?according to wall street journalAn Apple spokesman said a past legal ruling gave the iPhone maker the right to take this step if it violated Apple’s rules. They said: “Given Epic’s past and current conduct, Apple has chosen to exercise this right.” However, it is worth noting that Spotify does not currently plan to have its own alternative market to compete with the App Store like Epic Games.
The ball is now in the court of EU regulators.