You invent it, you design it, and you build it, and it's yours. Regulators come along later, screaming blue murder, because you've created something that others have their knickers in the twist about it. The irony with Apple, is they are often not the first, but end up being the best.
Yes. It’s an artificial problem, created by Epic.
Agree wholeheartedly. There are so many games I'd love to see available on the Mac/iOS but the big dominant players aren't bringing them to those platforms, but is Apple crying, nope.
But you agree to their terms to use their software... disagree with that? go install another OS on the hardware you own.
Well, that comment could have been said when Nokia and Blackberry were on top, but Apple did it anyway and sure, only large corporations like Apple can afford to try to venture in that space, but Epic isn't small. I too feel like 30% is a bit much.. but there's a reason it is only on digital goods. Digital items other than original development costs are basically free to duplicate for each buyer. Assuming Epic makes profits on these items without Apple, then anything it sells on Apple's platform is basically no cost to them to sell and they leverage Apple's ecosystem for the distribution of these items for free... yet don't want to share 30% of that profit.
It’s still an ignored distinction. For discussion sake. Apple being the most valuable company in the world has a target on it, even if it isn’t the most powerful.
Just curious, is this a fact or an opinion? Because it seems none of us can know how any future litigation against Apple might turn out.
If Epic wants their game so badly in the App Store, then just follow Apple’s rules. Trying to play by your own rules inside others people’s court is not something most would take lightly.
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'
Apple doesn’t see Fortnite as valuable to their ecosystem or they wouldn’t be keeping it out their store. Ironically when they do see a service or app worth investing in then people complain it’s unfair to 3rd party developers
So, basically, you mean every restaurant in the world MUST offer Coca-Cola if they come and tell the owner to have it on the menu?
Probably haven't given any yet or even denied the app. Epic is just getting their panties in a bunch and throwing a tantrum because the app didn't get a 24-hour approval like all the much smaller apps do. They keep throwing around the "120 hours" number because it sounds a lot larger than 5 days. They knew if they said 5 days people would laugh in their face. Epic is just hoping people can't do math.
I mean their whole business model is based on preying on kids not doing math so that thinking is right on brand.
i don’t believe Apple is allowed to ban Epic’s developer account. That’s why they’re still allowed to resubmit Fortnite
So Fortnite is never coming back. Wonder if epic will remove unreal engine from Mac/iOS in retaliation
