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Epic: Fortnite Offline Worldwide 'Until Apple Unblocks It'
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There is no legal requirement for a company to be a monopoly to be accused and sued for anticompetitive practices.
Apple denied the resubmit.
Ahhh, poor baby. That’s the price you pay for being a complete butt-wad. Tim Sweeney obviously is part of the entitled generation whereby he wants Apple to absorb all the costs to market and deliver his product to the masses and he just absorbs the benefit. I wouldn’t play his games if they were free.
Epic Games said today that Apple has blocked its attempt to bring Fortnite back to iOS devices, leaving the popular battle royale game unavailable on iPhones and iPads worldwide.
"Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union," Epic stated via its Fortnite account on X (Twitter). "Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it."
Apple banned the Epic Games developer account back in 2020 when Epic Games violated its App Store rules to add web-based purchases, kicking off a multi-year legal battle. Because the main Epic Games developer account continues to be banned, Epic submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store using an account from Epic Games Sweden, a subsidiary that Epic formed to create the Epic Games Store alternative app marketplace in the European Union.
The game was submitted for review on May 9, but after waiting over 120 hours without a response, Epic was forced to pull and resubmit its application to include the latest update.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been vocal about his frustration with the situation, claiming that Apple has not been returning the company's calls and that the review process typically moves much faster.
Before submitting Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said the company spoke with Apple about its plans – but never claimed Apple approved them. It remains unclear if Apple will allow Fortnite back, as the Epic v. Apple lawsuit confirmed that Apple has the right to ban Epic's account and isn't required to reinstate it.
It's the latest chapter in the ongoing legal battle between the two companies, which began in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after Epic implemented direct payment options that bypassed Apple's 30% commission.
The game had briefly returned to iOS devices in the EU via the Epic Games Store, but that version has now also gone offline.
Article Link: Epic: Fortnite Offline Worldwide 'Until Apple Unblocks It'
"tell developers how they presented these third party fees"
They are telling customers that you MAY be scammed. While Epic is just going to take your money... other developers Unammed Backgammon app or King Master block destroyer 3, could easily changed their submitted and approved apps backend link from paypal, stripe or whoever to a unsecured credit card information scraper.
There is ZIP all payment security now. I'll never touch one anyway, but I know what to look for. Most people won't
Can I come to your home, that you built, and furnished, and watch TV for a bit, grab a few beers from the fridge, use your wifi and then sue you, because you won't let me have a key?
Why?! Of course it is! It's exactly the same. Locked down controlled platforms... Must the the freakin EU are looking at them now.
That might be their next step, and nothing is stopping them.
Sweeney is so unhinged that you just know this came up as the nuclear option.
Apple banned Epic because Epic willingly broke the Apple developer agreement they agreed with. This is a binding agreement and Apple has every right to ban developers who break the agreement.
Smartphones aren't games consoles. They're general purpose computing devices. It's not 2007.
This is a blatantly spiteful move from a company that has lost its compass under Cook.
I’d argue macOS is absolutely less secure than iOS. In addition, iOS has ~2 billion users, macOS ~150 million, making iOS a much more attractive target for bad actors.
Beyond the App Store: The Hidden Risks of Sideloading Apps - Zimperium
Application sideloading opens the door to significant security vulnerabilities increasing the attack surface users are exposed to.
zimperium.com
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The EU don't have jurisdiction in the US.
None of that changes anything I wrote, all of which is undeniably factually accurate.
I will never understand people who so clearly want an open ecosystem buy an iPhone anyway and then complain about it being closed. It’s like buying a Tesla and then complaining it doesn’t take gas.
Epic just started offering 20% back in Epic Rewards for purchases on the Epic Store. That's not greedy at all; it's probably why Apple will block them from the App Store. Nobody's going to make purchases through Apple when Epic is offering 20% back in rewards.
Because it's one industry, with nowhere close to the level of reach. Apple sells more iPhones in two years than Sony has sold of all generations of Playstation in 30 years.
Apple has large business from online dating, music streaming, social media, productivity all complain about their business practices.
Even if Sony/Nintendo/Microsoft are problematic in gaming it is perfectly reasonable that regulators have focussed on Apple/Google first given their market power.
The article is misleading, the Epic App Store is on the iOS in the EU, and Apple has no approval process preventing Epic from making Fortnite available there. So more hyperbole from Epic.
iOS device sales dont seem too hindered by NOT having Fortnight in the appstore...
Think of it as Epic games are an Android exclusive like so many console games are on various platforms.
"You want to play MarioCart? You know what hardware you need to buy".
That’s correct. In the US they have a suit to win. Other than hubris, that they mostly won against Epic to me is an indicator of how the broader might go. The DoJ doesn’t win them all. And any other bill that might be in play has to win and can be easily derailed.
Not sure why everyone is praising Apple and condemning Epic Games. Honestly, both sides are in the wrong.
Epic violated Apple’s terms, so Apple has the right to remove Epic from the App Store. But the fact that Epic is effectively banned from all iPhone hardware—not just the App Store—because there are no alternative app stores, is where Apple goes too far.
Right now, Apple acts as judge, jury, and executioner by having total control over both software and hardware.
The argument that people can just “switch to Android” is weak. If Google ever chooses the same path, what options are left? Are we expected to write our own mobile operating systems?
Epic violated Apple’s terms, so Apple has the right to remove Epic from the App Store. But the fact that Epic is effectively banned from all iPhone hardware—not just the App Store—because there are no alternative app stores, is where Apple goes too far.
Right now, Apple acts as judge, jury, and executioner by having total control over both software and hardware.
The argument that people can just “switch to Android” is weak. If Google ever chooses the same path, what options are left? Are we expected to write our own mobile operating systems?
Nintendo made their own switch console where they can sell their own first-party titles at $70-80 a pop and keep 100% of revenue, while taxing other game developers 30%.
The only reason they want to be in Apple's storefront is because there's no other way to be on the most popular smartphone in the world. If iOS devices were treated like the computers they are, a user could simply install Fortnite from a webpage and be done with it. There would be no drama at all. Instead Apple is clinging to an outdated and unfair policy of iron-fisted control over everything that happens on their customers' devices.
Smart move, Apple, no response is also a response! No judge said anything about that!
As I see it, this is neither about the App Store anymore, nor about Fortnite.
This is about a CEO’s ego who doesn’t get his way and who wants to fight until the end to change a system he just doesn’t agree with. Because he wants more money. Meanwhile spending his company’s money on trials, on this fight that can also be used to develop nice games. This person only wants the rights, not the duties. Besides, who wants freemium trash anyway?
It’s like fighting an airline for not having to wear your seatbelt anymore, just because you don’t agree with the rules. But if you don’t agree, you can also just choose to not fly at all.
Same with the App Store, if you don’t agree, don’t use it. The responsibility of the downside is for yourself to handle. But don’t go into victim mode to get your way, Sweeny.
As I see it, this is neither about the App Store anymore, nor about Fortnite.
This is about a CEO’s ego who doesn’t get his way and who wants to fight until the end to change a system he just doesn’t agree with. Because he wants more money. Meanwhile spending his company’s money on trials, on this fight that can also be used to develop nice games. This person only wants the rights, not the duties. Besides, who wants freemium trash anyway?
It’s like fighting an airline for not having to wear your seatbelt anymore, just because you don’t agree with the rules. But if you don’t agree, you can also just choose to not fly at all.
Same with the App Store, if you don’t agree, don’t use it. The responsibility of the downside is for yourself to handle. But don’t go into victim mode to get your way, Sweeny.
This is an artificial distinction.
Complaints is not the same as having an illegal business practices.
Seems Sony and Nintendo have some great market power also. I’m personally not interested, but to deny they don’t is a fallacy.