The standoff continues between Epic Games and Apple. The editor of Fortnite Can no longer design applications for users of iPhone and other Apple devices: the electronics and technology giant closed its account on Friday, August 28.
“We are disappointed that we had to close the Epic Games account in the App Store. We have worked with their team for many years on launches and releases ”, said the Californian group.
The two companies have been clashing for two weeks in the courts and in the press over the commission that Apple levies on consumer purchases via the App Store, its essential platform for downloading applications on the brand’s devices. .
On Monday, a California judge asked the manufacturer not to end Epic’s access to Apple’s development tools to protect the Unreal Engine and not endanger Apple developers and partners who use it. game engine. But she had agreed with him on the withdrawal of Fortnite from the App Store. Editor “Seems to have put himself in this difficult situation”, had specified the magistrate, since it broke the terms of the contract concluded with the giant of electronics and technologies.
Apple accused of abuse of dominant position
In the heart of the battle: Epic Games judges “Tyrannical” Apple’s 30% commission on revenue generated by businesses that use the App Store to distribute their apps to consumers on iPhones and tablets. The publisher recently attempted to bypass the iOS payment system (the operating software) in updates to Fortnite, but Apple immediately removed the ultra-popular game from the App Store.
Epic Games has filed a complaint against Apple for abuse of dominance. “The court recommended that Epic abide by the rules of the App Store pending the resolution of the court case, rules they followed for years until they created this situation. Epic refused “Apple explained on Friday.
“It’s not fair to all the other developers on the App Store, and it puts customers at the heart of their battle. We hope that it will be possible to work together again in the future, but it is not possible today ”, added the group.
A fight for freedoms
Epic Games ensures, for its part, to fight “In principle”, in the name of the freedom of developers and gamers. “Apple asks Epic to revert to the version of Fortnite which exclusively uses Apple’s payment system. It is an invitation to make Epic an accomplice of Apple in maintaining its monopoly on transactions under iOS ”, assured the company.
“Smartphone users have the right to install apps from any source they choose. Software developers have the right to express their ideas and compete in fair marketplaces. Apple’s rules take away these freedoms ”, she added.
Apple, judge and party on the App Store, regularly defends itself against any abuse by explaining that the commissions, of a standard level on other equivalent stores, are used to protect the applications and their users from hackers and scams.
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