Summary
Epic Games, the studio behindFortnite,has announced that Apple terminated its developer account, blocking the company from creating and supporting the Epic Games Store on iOS. For those unfamiliar,Epic Gamesrecently revealed that Apple had approved its Sweden AB developer account, which it had planned to use as a way to bringFortniteto iOS devices in Europe. However, Apple has terminated this account, with Epic Games criticizing the decision publicly.
Epic Games is the studio responsible forthe worldwide sensation that isFortnite, which officially launched back in 2017. Over the years, Epic Games has transformed and evolvedFortniteinto one of the most successful video games of all time, bringing in millions upon millions of players daily. Part of this success can be attributed to the vast number of updatesFortnitereceives, with Epic Games pumping out new content on a consistent basis.
Apple Terminates Epic Games' Account
Epic Games intended to bringFortniteand its Epic Games Storeto as many devices as possible with its developer account and claimed that Apple’s decision was a serious violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Epic Games stated Apple’s decision to terminate its account “surprised” it. The DMA requires Apple to allow third-party app stores on the platform, such as the Epic Games Store. Epic Games claims that Apple’s decision is “unfair” and removes one of the largest competitors from the Apple App Store. Epic Games also states that no reasonable third-party developer would be willing to bring their apps to the Apple App Store as a result of what has happened.
Epic Games reiterates how the two companies have worked together on various projects for more than a decade, making the decision that much more disappointing. However, Epic Games still has several pieces of software and games currently available through the Apple App Store, such asRocket LeagueandPostparty.Epic Games also stated they are contracted in conjunction with Apple forHorizon Chase 2, a game developed specifically for Apple Arcade featuring Unreal Engine. Epic Games is also working on experimental Unreal Engine 5.4 support forApple’s new Apple Vision Pro headset.
Apple states one of the reasons it decided to terminate Epic Games' developer account is due to Epic criticizing Apple’s proposed DMA compliance plan, with Apple specifically citing tweets from Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney. Apple is also claiming Epic Games is a threat to its ecosystem.Epic Games developed a mobile version ofFortnitethat eventually made its way to iOS devices, but it was abandoned in 2020.Epic Gamesgoes as far as to call Apple’s practices “illegal” and “unfair” and states this has happened multiple times to other developers.
Fortnite
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