Apple Reinstates Epic Games EU Developer Account, Paving the Way for Alternative App Store

[2540497]

Might download it just so they get charged 50 cents or whatever it is for my install, every year. Without opening it! Bahaha.

 

[Lethal-Bacon]

Apple knew what they were doing. Epic has now publicly gone on record assuring that they'll follow Apple's EU developer agreement.

unfortunatelly im not sure you understand... as long as Epic respects the DMA rules they can disrespect any and all terms and conditions apple has set that are malicious compliance or straight up illegal under DMA and they have 0 power to ban any rival app store under the DMA unless said rival store breaks DMA rules as well as apple's rules.

 

[wilhoitm]

Every other day it seems like there’s an article on Apple reversing course on one thing or another lmao. Before this it was not allowing web apps in the EU. Apple’s immature teenager level of pettiness and defiance really makes them look like a bunch of amateurs.

How many smart phones has the EU made? So who are the real amateurs? It seems to me that someone is obsessed with riding Apple's coattails!

 

[iOS Geek]

Epic has committed to following the rules. WOW, that is some about face.

It's kinda funny reading all the EU bootlicking from people who think this reversal was due to the actions of the EU. No government works that fast. None. EVER. Not even their EU "idols". I'd feel pretty safe in saying the EU didn't have jack **** to do with this reversal.

 

[gnipgnop]

Per the recent EU ruling, they actually do have limitations in telling me what I can and cannot do.

But more to the point, no other platform is as limited as iOS.

Don't worry! Epic and Microsoft will surely launch an avalanche of AAA games on iOS now that the EU has stepped in to make everything so competitive.

 

[Zdigital2015]

The purpose of an alternative store is so you don't have to go to Apple (or in your example Target) and get their approval to sell your products. You can set up your own shop away from Apple (or Target in your case) by using your own resources and not Apple's (or Target's in your case).

The way this so-called alternative app store works now is like having to ask Target for permission to start your own mom & pop business selling items that would compete with Target. And if you have anything negative to say about Target, Target can terminate your business license whenever they feel like it.

If you want to set up that Mom and Pop business using Target's (Apple's) resources (distribution, APIs, reviewers, et al.) then yes, you should have to get approval and Target (Apple) should have the right to say yay or nay and there are penalties when you abuse the privileges. That's how Amazon and Target marketplaces work. you agree to Target's TandC's to be able to use their platform to sell your stuff. If you violate them you're gone.

If I had the actual resources to build my own platform, manufacture the devices, create the software, along with the APIs that developers would use to create software and I charged them a nominal fee to be a developer, I would damn well reserve the right to kick them off of my platform for their bad behavior or shenanigans the went against the LEGAL agreement that they AGREED to. If they didn't want to be bound by the agreement then they wouldn't be able to create software for my devices. I certainly don't want some idiot politicians who are only guided by how much money they can get out of this with fines and consent agreements and such getting involved. But here we are, with EU meddling and the usual suspects around here thinking that it's going to suddenly make the iPhone platform some free love panacea.

Quick answer - it won't...this is all going to turn out very badly for consumers who will blame Apple for fraud, identity theft, viruses and whatever else ends up happening to which they should point people in the direction of their congress critters and the vocal supporters on this forum.

 

[Lethal-Bacon]

Might download it just so they get charged 50 cents or whatever it is for my install, every year. Without opening it! Bahaha.

Wont work, that fee is illegal under DMA and Epic will continue developing their rival app store but not publish it until EU either forces apple to remove it or fines them 10% of world wide sales and orders its removal so either way there will be a lot of changes to their current "rules".

 

[SmugMaverick]

So much copium in here.

Apple was wrong, got called out by the EU.

Game over.

 

[iOS Geek]

So many people slobbering all over Apple, it's disgusting.

Epic is no angel, but neither is Apple (and likely more so).

Aren't most of us adults here? Can we not at least -attempt- to look at issues like this objectively?

I agree. It's also just as disgusting as all the people slobbering all over the EU...

Epic and Apple are no angel, but neither is the EU.

No one, on either side of this, is looking at it objectively.

 

[gnipgnop]

unfortunatelly im not sure you understand... as long as Epic respects the DMA rules they can disrespect any and all terms and conditions apple has set that are malicious compliance or straight up illegal under DMA and they have 0 power to ban any rival app store under the DMA unless said rival store breaks DMA rules as well as apple's rules.

Please provide the actual legal language of the DMA that says that. Sounds like something you just made up.

 

[nt5672]

The soy boys at Apple lose again. Hope they start wising up.

 

[Jensend]

Looking forward to seeing what a benign and honorable gatekeeper Epic will be with their own App Store

Here's the thing: it doesn't matter. Why? Because consumers will be able to choose which store to use based on their merits. They can even choose to use multiple different stores depending on the strengths of each store.

Well, don't users have a choice when buying their device? There are a couple big differences. One is that there is a big cost involved. Most people can't realistically get both an iOS and Android device. And switching between devices takes a lot of effort. Installing an extra app store is free and only takes a small amount of additional effort. I have multiple app stores installed on my PC. Yeah, just having one may be a bit more convenient, but I think the competition is good overall, and even if I just stick to one game store, like Steam, there would still be more good games available than on any console game store. The other difference is that there are only two OS choices available for smartphones, and it's almost impossible to enter that market. Some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Microsoft and Amazon have tried and failed.

 

[iOS Geek]

So much copium in here.

Apple was wrong, got called out by the EU.

Game over.

You really believe the EU had anything to do with this? No government works that fast. They just announced a "probe" into the issue YESTERDAY. You do know what that means, right? It means they were starting to LOOK into it. Not take an action.

 

[ManuCH]

where do they get these people? the childish thinking is legion. what happened to law and order? follow the damn law or get the hell out of the EU LOL

I agree, as narcissistic as Apple is, their actions of late especially seem to be way out of character. it's either they've been spoiled by getting their way, or something is really wrong at the top.

I mean even when they're out there making themselves look stupid with the special 8 gigs of RAM nonsense, you really got to wonder what's going on with their communications.

Also laughing in the face of their customers who desperately want an upgraded 27-inch imac, just to add in to the actual marketing of the 24 inch that we don't need a bigger one, that size is perfect, and they have no intention of making another 27 in. it's just unusually cruel even for them.

but at the end of the day they're fighting tooth and nail to make sure they keep their gross monster margins, and they're willing to look like the bad guy to get it done. it doesn't exactly help them as we see in this case, but until there is some systemic change and how they communicate with the public and other large developers, this is likely to keep happening.

They found a way to sell consumers on non-upgradable hardware that has to be tossed when it's done...this was their dream goal for the last 20 years and they finally reached it with the iPad being the catalyst...and now they found a way to sell you a desktop in pieces. If you don't get a super cheap to manufacturer iMac that actually comes with a keyboard and a mouse, or a laptop, you're out of luck. in my opinion that's very cruel to customers who are investing into your ecosystem that has already plenty of costs involved as extras.

TLDR - basically any own goal from any soccer game ever is when Apple has been doing for the last year.

Exactly that, 100% agree. I believe something has been wrong at the top for a while. I'm a long time Apple fanboy, but lately they've been acting very... off, to say the least.

 

[jimtonic01]

It sometimes seems that the longing for freedom in the USA has waned a bit, and people allow themselves to be oppressed and exploited by the big tech companies as they please. Europe has a somewhat different attitude toward this.

 

[dgdosen]

Every other day it seems like there’s an article on Apple reversing course on one thing or another lmao. Before this it was not allowing web apps in the EU. Apple’s immature teenager level of pettiness and defiance really makes them look like a bunch of amateurs.

I think the better analogy is from a Simpson's episode - where Krusty gets visibly upset realizing he's losing the 'sweetest plum' of licensing t-shirt sales

 

[erikkfi]

You mean Apple wanted assurances Epic wouldn't be total *******s and disregard rules again? Yeah, total dick move.

Unjust rules don't need to be followed.

 

[ManuCH]

You say that, but when I updated my iPhone I got a pop up message about alternate app stores and I am in the UK.

That's definitely a bug though, it's not supposed to work in the UK. Is your Apple ID also UK-based? Or did you set it to some other country?

 

[vipergts2207]

So I can just use Targets infrastructure and millions of customer and not have to pay them a single penny? I also plan on using their water, electricity, employees as well.

I may consume Apple or Target products, but Apple or Target does not own me. I am not theirs to use as cudgel against other businesses. At least not until they start paying me as such. I’m certainly open to offers.

 

[Lethal-Bacon]

Please provide the actual legal language of the DMA that says that. Sounds like something you just made up.

Why dont you read the entire law and do your own research?
Or you know... wait a couple of months and see if EU launches any investigation into Apples "compliance" or forces them to change any current terms they have.
I already posted on other pages of this thread a paragraph of the law that says gatekeepers should create and offer interobility for competition FREE OF CHARGE, meaning the Core Technology Fee apple made up is illegal and if anyone disregards it wont be in trouble but apple will, not to mention dozen of fair sections that shifts the balance and stiffles competitivenes by terms and conditions offered/created by gatekeepers.

 

[GuyDouche]

How long before Epic breaks their promises and Apple gets to dump them again?

Never, as long as Apple stops with their anti-monopolistic practices

 

[vakarpochui]

Wont work, that fee is illegal under DMA and Epic will continue developing their rival app store but not publish it until EU either forces apple to remove it or fines them 10% of world wide sales and orders its removal so either way there will be a lot of changes to their current "rules".

You’re fantasising.

 

[jz0309]

Wont work, that fee is illegal under DMA and Epic will continue developing their rival app store but not publish it until EU either forces apple to remove it or fines them 10% of world wide sales and orders its removal so either way there will be a lot of changes to their current "rules".

has the EU stated that? is there a court ruling that says so? No. its YOUR opinion only, but to that you are entitled

 

[rafark]

Apple's Phil Schiller engaged in a conversation with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney

Wasn’t Phil retired? As someone who loves the old classic Apple (Steve jobs, Forstall, I’ve, Phill Schiller, etc) it’s great to see old uncle Phil still working for the company ❤️

 

[Lethal-Bacon]

I do not know if you have noticed but Apple is an American company and we do things differently over here! Your rules do not apply to us!

Any and all companies have to comply with the rules and laws of contry they operate in.
When apple sells devices and provides services in the US it must obey US laws and US businesses must obey US laws and apples terms and conditions. Same goes for the EU, meaning terms and conditions and laws US has do not apply over here