Home IFTTT Pocket-lint Apple escalates battle against Epic by threatening to curb-stomp Unreal Engine

Apple escalates battle against Epic by threatening to curb-stomp Unreal Engine

August 17, 2020

There is a new twist in the battle between Apple and Fortnite publisher Epic Games, and it might impact countless apps and games that leverage Epic's Unreal Engine. Basically, Epic says Apple has threatened to cut off its access to all iOS and Mac developer tools.

Epic recently rolled out a new update that broke Apple and Google's rules on in-app purchases. Basically, the new update made it so Epic could directly collect revenue from purchases of V-bucks, Fortnite's in-game currency, effectively bypassing Apple and Google and cutting them both off from the 30 per cent cut they usually demand from developers.

Apple and Google responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store and Play Store. Epic promptly filed a civil lawsuit, released a video mocking Apple, and published a FAQ page detailing the ways it believes Apple is abusing its dominance in the marketplace.

Now, Epic says Apple is retaliating, by threatening to boot Epic from the Apple Developer Program, which is required to use Apple's developer tools and to distribute apps on iOS devices. Apple wants Epic to “cure your breaches” within two weeks, according to a letter from the company that Epic shared. Epic won't even be able to notarise Mac apps.

Keep in mind all apps must be notarised before they can run the latest version of macOS, even if they’re not distributed through the App Store. Also, Epic's Unreal Engine is widely used by many games. Those developers would presumably need to build new all-new games or scramble to release updates should Apple block their access to the software.

Epic has already filed for a preliminary injunction against the company, claiming it will be irreparably harmed:

“Apple’s actions will irreparably damage Epic’s reputation among Fortnite users and be catastrophic for the future of the separate Unreal Engine business", Epic writes. “The cascading effect of losing ongoing Unreal Engine compatibility will threaten the viability of the engine and disrupt development of a constellation of apps and uses that rely on its graphics to render hundreds of video games". 

Epic also asks the court for Fortnite to be returned to the App Store. Meanwhile, Apple is giving Epic until 28 August to make changes.



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