The Apple-Epic saga just took a new turn today when Fortnite game developer Epic Games shared that Apple has canceled your developer account. This is a reversal of Apple's previous approval of the account last month, which Epic said would allow it to bring Fortnite back to iOS devices in the EU through the region's new law, the Digital Markets Act ( DMA). But Epic now says Apple's lawyers sent it a letter saying it will terminate its Epic Games Sweden AB account, a move Epic calls a “serious violation of the DMA” and an indication that Apple has no intention of “allowing a real competition on iOS devices. “
“By terminating Epic's developer account, Apple is eliminating one of the biggest potential competitors to Apple's App Store. “They are undermining our ability to be a viable competitor and showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or criticize its unfair practices,” Epic writes on its company blog, where it has also posted copies of his correspondence. with Apple.
The game developer alleges that one of the reasons Apple gave to support its decision was Epic's criticism of Apple's proposed DMA rules. including this post on X (formerly Twitter) by Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. Of course, Epic has been a thorn in Apple's side, taking it to court over antitrust concerns and pushing for regulation in multiple markets to crack down on Apple's power and influence over Apple's economy. the applications. As a result, it seems that Apple would prefer to end Epic. According to Epic, Apple allegedly told the company that it is “a threat to its ecosystem.”
However, Epic said it has publicly shared his intentions and then again assured Apple in writing that it would accept all the terms of its developer agreements after requesting one of the DMA consultations that Apple offers its App Store developers. (The request was initially denied.) It was after agreeing to abide by their rules that Apple's lawyers sent a letter canceling his Epic Games Sweden AB account.
Epic claims the tech giant is retaliating against him for speaking out, as indicated in a letter written by Apple executive Phil Schiller.
“In the past, Epic entered into agreements with Apple and then broke them,” Schiller reminds the game maker in the letter dated February 23, 2024. “He also testified that Epic deliberately violated Apple's rules, to make a clear point. and for financial gain. More recently, he has described our DMA compliance as “hot garbage,” a “horror show,” and a “devious new instance of malicious compliance.” And you've complained about what you called 'junk fees' and 'Apple taxes.'
Schiller suggests that Epic's “colorful criticism” combined with its past actions “strongly suggest that Epic Sweden has no intention of playing by the rules.” He adds that another intentional breach could “threaten the integrity of the iOS platform, as well as the security and privacy of users.”
“…in plain English and unreserved terms, tell us why we should trust Epic right now,” he concludes.
He also noted that his company has contractual relationships with Apple dating back to 2010 for Epic games, Unreal Engine and other creation tools and that Apple itself has publicly supported Epic's Unreal Engine.
Apple has been asked for comment.
