Apple Terminates Epic’s Developer Account, Stalling Launch of Epic Games Store on iOS in EU
The highly anticipated launch of Epic Games Store on iOS in the European Union has hit a major roadblock as Apple terminated Epic’s developer account. This move by Apple has not only impacted the launch of the Epic Games Store but has also delayed the return of Fortnite to iOS.
Epic had announced its plans to launch an iOS version of its store in Europe earlier this year, following Apple’s confirmation that it would comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. This act requires Apple to allow sideloading and alternate marketplaces on its devices. However, Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, expressed his dissatisfaction with Apple’s implementation of the EU’s rules, referring to it as “hot garbage.”
Despite the initial backlash, Epic had received an Apple Developer Account and was preparing to launch the Epic Games Store on iOS. However, Apple has now terminated Epic’s developer account, claiming that the company is “verifiably untrustworthy.” Epic argues that this termination is a violation of the Digital Markets Act and demonstrates Apple’s lack of intention to allow true competition on iOS devices.
Correspondence between Apple and Epic reveals that Apple’s Phil Schiller reached out to Tim Sweeney for written assurances that Epic would act in good faith before approving its developer account. Schiller highlighted Sweeney’s recent social media comments and mentioned that Epic had previously entered into agreements with Apple and then broken them. This refers to Epic’s decision in 2020 to bypass Apple’s App Store fees by allowing direct in-game payments in Fortnite, resulting in Fortnite being removed from the App Store and sparking a legal battle between the two companies.
In response to Schiller’s request, Sweeney assured Apple that Epic and its subsidiaries would act in good faith and comply with all current and future agreements. However, Apple’s legal team deemed this response “wholly insufficient and not credible,” citing Epic’s history of untrustworthiness. They pointed out that Sweeney’s assurances were contradicted by Epic’s public attacks on Apple’s policies and business model. Apple’s legal team also referred to a submission in an Australian litigation that suggested Epic Games Sweden AB was part of a global effort to undermine or evade Apple’s rules. As a result, Apple terminated Epic Games Sweden’s Developer Program membership immediately.
Epic responded to Apple’s decision with a lengthy statement, accusing Apple of eliminating one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store. They argued that Apple’s actions undermine their ability to be a viable competitor and serve as a warning to other developers who attempt to compete with or criticize Apple’s practices.
Epic further emphasized that if Apple retains the power to remove third-party marketplaces from iOS at its sole discretion, no reasonable developer would be willing to utilize a third-party app store. This is because they could be permanently separated from their audience at any time.
As a result of Apple’s termination of Epic’s developer account, an iOS version of the Epic Games Store and the return of Fortnite to iOS are unlikely to happen in the near future. However, Fortnite remains available on the platform through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, it seems that Epic’s legal battles with Apple are far from over.
In conclusion, the termination of Epic’s developer account by Apple has dealt a significant blow to Epic’s plans for the Epic Games Store on iOS in the EU. The ongoing conflict between Epic and Apple highlights the challenges faced by developers seeking to compete with Apple’s dominant position in the app marketplace.
