Apple has deleted Epic’s developer account ????

As promised by Apple, Epic’s developer account has been deleted. The very direct consequence of this measure for the user is that it is no longer possible to redownload an Epic application after having purchased or downloaded it for the first time (the same goes for Infinity Blade or Battle Breakers). Since two weeks, it was the only way install Fortnite on an iPhone or iPad, Apple having removed the battle royale shelves of the App Store.

For gamers who have had the presence of mind to keep Fortnite on their iOS device, the game remains playable, but purchasing V-Bucks is only possible through the alternative payment system set up by Epic Games, which resulted in the deletion of its developer account. A game that has lost a lot of its appeal since he was not entitled to the new season … Fortunately, as Apple mischievously pointed out today, PUBG Mobile remains!

If justice has confirmed Apple’s right to remove Fortnite from the App Store, on the other hand the manufacturer cannot block the Unreal Engine. The structure of the company (Epic Games distributes Fortnite, Epic International manages the Unreal Engine, each with their dev account) allows them to keep control of the engine.

Update – Through a statement to the US press, Apple confirms the deletion of Epic’s developer account, a disappointment for Apple: ” We worked with the Epic Games team for many years to launch [de leurs jeux]. Court recommended Epic abide by App Store rules as lawsuit unfolds “. This would have meant, for the publisher, to remove its alternative payment system in Fortnite, which is ” not fair to all the other App Store developers, and what puts customers in the middle of their fight “. The builder explains that Epic has made several attempts to submit updates to Fortnite ” designed to violate guidelines “. Apple hopes to be able to work with Epic again in the future, but “ unfortunately this is not possible today ».

Update 2 – Tim Sweeney, the boss of Epic, reacted this evening to the deletion of Epic’s account: ” [Apple] chose to delete the account, they didn’t have to do », he assures. He also responds to Apple’s comments that Epic has increased Fortnite updates: ” It’s not that. Epic submitted three Fortnite builds: two for fixes, third for season 4 [du jeu] “. A season that was ultimately not offered to iOS players. In a slip note with this final update, the publisher indicates that it is provided ” in case Apple wants to restore Fortnite to the App Store in time for the Season 4 launch ».

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