On August 28, Epic Games could lose its access to the App Store developer program, with many consequences.
The tone is rising between the Californian firm and the publisher of Fortnite. Following the modification of the payment method within the mobile game, Apple has banned Fortnite from the App Store and now threatened Epic Games to cut its access to all iOS and macOS development tools. The only solution for the publisher: remove the in-app payment method from Fortnite which does not respect the rules of the App Store.
The threat from Apple could have serious consequences for the publisher. He is not only behind the most popular battle royale in the world, he is also the developer of the Unreal Engine, a video game engine used by many mobile applications. Several mobile games integrated into Apple Arcade also run on this engine. Developers may be unable to update their own games if Apple complies with its threat. The Californian firm would therefore be indirectly affected by its decision. One can wonder if the American company is not bluffing to destabilize its adversary.
A conflict beyond Fortnite
Apple has given Epic Games two weeks to change the problematic Fortnite update that violates App Store policies. If the American company executes its threat, it could worsen the war between Apple and Epic Games.
The publisher said on Twitter that he had filed a preliminary injunction against Apple to prevent it from withdrawing its access to the developer program of the apple company. Epic assures that it would be ” irreparably injured long before the final judgment “- the publisher brought a lawsuit against the Cupertino company – if Apple executed its threat. ” The damage caused to Epic’s activities as well as to its reputation and its trust with its customers will be unquestionable and irreparable. “, Says Epic.
« The cascading effect of the ongoing loss of compatibility with Unreal Engine will threaten the viability of the engine and disrupt the development of a constellation of apps and uses that rely on its graphics. », Underlines the editor in his request for an injunction.
For its part, the firm at the apple did not wish to comment on the reaction of Epic Games, but reaffirmed that it ” would do everything possible to work with Epic to resolve these violations ».
It remains to be seen if Epic’s injunction will succeed. Either way, the war between Apple and Epic doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better anytime soon. Recall that the publisher has filed a complaint against the Cupertino company following its withdrawal from the App Store. He accuses Apple of applying an anti-competitive regulation on its application store.
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