Apple Threatens to Terminate Epic Games' Developer Accounts on August 28

[GubbyMan]

I really hope Epic doesn't go back on this and stops supporting iOS devices on Epic engine. iPhones and iPads need to become real general computing devices, not the locked things we have now that are limited by whatever Apple thinks is good or bad for us.

 

[adamjackson]

This is the right thing to do but I didn't expect Apple to actually do it.

 

[rgeneral]

Epic are sitting on so much money its unbelievable!

create their own console and compete with Xbox and PS. Then ask Microsoft and Sony to allow their apps on there without any fees. See what happens.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

So happy Apple is doubling down and not letting Epic get away with this.

I wouldn’t say Apple is “doubling down”. This is very likely spelled out in the developer agreement that Epic Games agreed to. I mean, it’s not like Apple sent a release to the press, they, just like any other developer, sent the information to Epic Games. AND, Epic Games knew it was coming because they’ve got access to the agreement terms.

This is why I’ve always thought that Fortnite will be back on the App Store in a couple weeks because that’s literally how much time they have after willfully becoming non-compliant.

 

[ouimetnick]

This won’t hold any water. They clearly violated the guidelines they previously agreed to. Maybe this would swing if they tried this lawsuit before signing, but as of now they’re breaching their own contract. These were the consequences they agreed to.

Right, and Epic’s argument is that the contract is illegal or not enforceable. We will have to wait and see what happens, but if

I’m not mistaken, if a contract is found to be illegal in the eyes of the law, it is not enforceable. (Not specific to this situation, just contracts in general)

 

[farewelwilliams]

Going to be fewer games on iOS if unreal engine goes away.

UE doesn't run as well as Unity on phones. Mobile games generally run on Unity. This is great news for Unity (and possibly a huge lifeline)

 

[KentBunn]

So happy Apple is doubling down and not letting Epic get away with this.

As a consumer I certainly hate it when someone is prevented from supplying me something for a better price.

 

[jonnyb098]

Going to be fewer games on iOS if unreal engine goes away.

Apple doesnt really care about that...they essentially have their own graphics engine anyway. Most Apple Arcade games are using it. Also there are plenty of indie developers alive and well on the app store.

Might this stop some larger companies from publishing? Sure. But for every EA (FTP money guzzling) game on the app store there are literally 100 indies games that are free or a couple bucks.

In the end it wont be that big of a deal for consumers other than these couple of large players like Fortnite.

 

[KentBunn]

I think the optics on this, for Apple, aren't going to look good, especially with government officials now saying Apple is anti-competitive.

Apple's going to win some skirmishes, and lose the war. It's some kind of strategy.

 

[Rogifan]

Apple’s biggest cash cow is all the money they make from IAP in games. They’re never giving that up unless they’re forced to.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Hahahaha. I love it. Burrrrrrry them!!

 

[SevenSeas]

This is a legitimate response to the preemptive strike from Epic.

 

[kuwxman]

Apple is just being petty at this point.

 

[KentBunn]

Apple’s biggest cash cow is all the money they make from IAP in games. They’re never giving that up unless they’re forced to.

When you're already being hauled in front of congress and charged with being monopolistic, engaging in blatantly anti-competitive actions tends to not be a good look. So the "unless they are forced" to part of your statement is getting ever more likely.

 

[atomic.flip]

I think the optics on this, for Apple, aren't going to look good, especially with government officials now saying Apple is anti-competitive.

Exactly. This is the worst time to take a hardline approach. Especially with a developer like Epic which can afford to drag their butts to court.

 

[borgein]

Epic are sitting on so much money its unbelievable!

Yeah, having the help of the Chinese (Tencent) filling your bank accounts is an advantage.
But it's still a drop in the ocean compared to Apple's cash reserves.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

This is a legitimate response to the preemptive strike from Epic.

It’s not even a response to a strike, it’s just the rules that all developers adhere to. This would be happening even without the lawsuit.

 

[satchmo]

Epic are sitting on so much money its unbelievable!

Guess who's sitting on even more money.

 

[borgein]

I really hope Epic doesn't go back on this and stops supporting iOS devices on Epic engine. Smartphones need to become real general computing devices, not the limited things we have now that are locked behind whatever Apple thinks is good or bad for us.

If Epic stops supporting Unreal engine on iOS, I'm sure a lot of companies will sue Epic because of breach of contract. Do you think Unreal engine is free? No... Absolutely not. Developers pay Epic 5% royalties for all sales above $3000. If Epic stopped supporting Unreal, they would literally be breaching a lot of terms that customers (developers) has paid for.

 

[Aichon]

Assuming this goes through, the ramifications are bigger than most people here seem to realize, and would seemingly affect Apple a lot more than Epic. Say goodbye to any new Unreal-based games running on iOS (e.g. Infinity Blade, Injustice 1 and 2, Mortal Kombat, Hello Neighbor, Life Is Strange, etc.) or Mac (e.g. Psychonauts 2, Ark: Survival Evolved, Obduction, Life is Strange 2, etc.). Not to mention saying goodbye to Unreal Engine 5, which was due for release on iOS and Mac next year and would have allowed developers to use the same engine across the next-gen consoles and Mac/iOS. Without it, we'll lose access to a lot of games.

I'm not making a judgment call here about whether Apple is right or wrong, but this is the sort of thing that can easily blow up in Apple's face. Epic likely doesn't need the money for licensing those games on Apple platforms, but Apple needs headline-grabbing games to make the case that they care about gaming. Cutting off one of the key players in that toolchain is not the way to keep those sorts of games coming to your platform.

 

[pweicks]

Apple can do whatever the frick they want. It’s their company

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple should have terminated their account forthwith.

 

[pearvsapple]

And now iOS has no games ROFL!

 

[cocky jeremy]

When you're already being hauled in front of congress and charged with being monopolistic, engaging in blatantly anti-competitive actions tends to not be a good look. So the "unless they are forced" to part of your statement is getting ever more likely.

Nope. Apple charges the same 30% everyone else does. I don't see PS or Xbox letting people sell products without taking 30%.

 

[Realityck]

I think the optics on this, for Apple, aren't going to look good, especially with government officials now saying Apple is anti-competitive.

In all the times we seen Apple facing a lawsuit, has anyone seen Apple saying "we are yanking your entire access to its App Store and app development tools"? If I am not mistaken this is new, and dangerous.