Things Continue to Heat up Between Apple and Epic Games
The official Epic Games’ Newsroom Twitter account recently confirmed that Apple is looking to terminate all of their developer accounts and cut Epic Games as a whole off from iOS and Mac development tools. A recent statement from Apple suggests that they’d like to sort out the App Store issues, but Epic Games suggests that on August 28th, Apple will terminate Epic’s developer accounts. Apple keeps a cut of each transaction that happens on the App Store, but Epic Games is looking to reduce their cut. Fortnite is available for Mac, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PS4 right now.
“Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users,” said an Apple spokesperson. “As a result, their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.”
“Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade, and have benefited from the App Store ecosystem, including its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers,” continued the Apple spokesperson. “Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely and we’re glad they’ve built such a successful business on the App Store. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the App Store.”
“Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and has informed Epic that on Friday, August 28 Apple will terminate all our developer accounts and cut Epic off from iOS and Mac development tools,” said Epic Games’ Newsroom Twitter account. “We are asking the court to stop this retaliation.”
Do you think Apple will cut Epic’s developer accounts and remove their access to development tools? Let us know in the comments below!