A Battle Royale for the Ages: Apple Announces Decision to Remove Unreal Engine from iOS and Mac Tools; Epic Games Responds With Another Lawsuit

[Raevenlord]

The epic (ahem) battle between Epic Games and Apple is becoming increasingly nastier, as Apple has communicated to the game and game engine developers that it plans on terminating all of Epic developer accounts on its ecosystem (both on iOS or MacOS) by August 28th. If done, this would impede not only Epic from developing for these systems, but also would impact any and all companies that actually employ the Unreal Engine in their development process, be it final or merely as a toolbox. It's case to say that Apple has its finger firmly set on the big, red button.

This move from Apple comes in wake of the calculated feud initiated by Epic Games last week with both Google and Apple. What some may have failed to see is that the Epic Games move was a coordinated, well-thought-out one, in that the company knew - or thought they knew - the full ramifications of what they were setting in motion. Epic Games, with its newfound budget and clout, is looking to become a banner for developers, spearheading a charge that is looking to brunt the walled garden approach. In fact, the company is even looking to form a "coalition of Apple critics", and is looking for companies to join its bandwagon in fighting against the Apple walled-garden and middle-man approach to software distribution.





One company that has already thrown its hat in the ring with Epic, albeit in the most non-committal way possible (via words), is Spotify, who said that:

We applaud Epic Games' decision to take a stand against Apple and shed further light on Apple's abuse of its dominant position. Apple's unfair practices have disadvantaged competitors and deprived consumers for far too long. The stakes for consumers and app developers large and small couldn't be higher and ensuring that the iOS platform operates competitively and fairly is an urgent task with far-reaching implications.

The app store philosophy levies heavy fees towards all developers simply for software distribution, arguably under the guise of "consumer safety and a consistent experience". The move by Epic Games to host a video called "Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite," parodying Apple's iconic "1984" ad was a clearly a prepared response to Apple's predictable decision to remove Fortnite from the Apple Store, as was the swift lawsuit launched against Apple. Epic Games is also taking advantage of its newfound public opinion weight conquered with its consumer and developer-friendly Epic Games Store, its perceived standing in the industry, as well as its pedigree as developer of the hugely popular Unreal Engine and Fortnite game. These have culminated in the launch of a social-media campaign against Apple with the hashtag #freefortnite.

Epic Games, of course, says that Apple is overreaching with this decision to remove Unreal Engine developer access and accounts, threatening to terminate a non-related business asset from Epic that has never breached any of Apple's regulations. According to the lawsuit, "Not content simply to remove Fortnite from the App Store, Apple is attacking Epic's entire business in unrelated areas. Left unchecked, 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 is seeking preliminary injunctive relief (which would freeze Apple's decision before an actual judgment is reached in court), which it says is necessary to prevent its business from being irreparably harmed. The company also asks that Fortnite be returned to the App Store with the direct payment option added last week (and which set in motion this particular chain of events) still in place.

In a statement to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, regarding Epic's developer account termination, Apple said:

The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users and a great business opportunity for all developers. Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, growing into a multibillion dollar business that reaches millions of iOS customers around the world. We very much want to keep the company as part of the Apple Developer Program and their apps on the Store. The problem Epic has created for itself is one that can be easily remedied if they submit an update of their app that reverts it to comply with the guidelines they agreed to and which apply to all developers. We won't make an exception for Epic because we don't think it's right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers.

Tim Sweeney himself describes Epic Games' Stance as thus:

At the most basic level, we're fighting for the freedom of people who bought smartphones to install apps from sources of their choosing, the freedom for creators of apps to distribute them as they choose, and the freedom of both groups to do business directly.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Vya Domus]

Game development for the Mac was dead anyway, this is just another nail in he coffin. On iOS though, it's gonna hurt.

 

[Imouto]

This guy contradicts himself with every word he spews.

 

[xkm1948]

Apple is going backwards, fast.

 

[Flanker]

 

[Vya Domus]

This guy contradicts himself with every word he spews.

Nah, it's just that all these companies, Apple, Epic, etc are money grubbing POS. Pardon my french.

 

[Fourstaff]

Lets see if US courts can be persuaded to separate OS and App Store monopoly.

 

[Imouto]

I noticed there is a poll and it is misleading to say the least.

You don't have to side with Apple to know that a company offering a non-essential service to other companies is in no obligation whatsoever to make business with all of them. It is in the foundation of a free market refuse to do business with whoever you want and do so with anyone if there is an agreement.

It really baffles my mind that they are trying to force Apple and Google to run their business in a way they don't want to. They are not a public utility.

 

[medi01]

Nah, it's just that all these companies, Apple, Epic, etc are money grubbing POS. Pardon my french.

It's like comparing a guy who stole a can of beer, to a serial killer.
It's hard to be as filthy as Apple, maybe Huang The Leather Man comes close.

It is in the foundation of a free market refuse to do business with whoever you want

Yeah. Such as "I don't like you I won't bake cakes for you". Remind me, how that worked.

It really baffles my mind that they are trying to force Apple and Google to run their business in a way they don't want to. They are not a public utility.

Apple (and, to a much lesser degrees, Google) are engaged in practices that are harmful to their customers.
That shit needs fixing.

 

[Vya Domus]

It's hard to be as filthy as Apple, maybe Huang The Leather Man comes close.

They've just been around for longer.

 

[dj-electric]

Poll missing a choice.
I am informed enough, I side with none of those clowns.

 

[mouacyk]

Ever since the Epic Game Store push began, it's always been a crusade against "early bird gets the worm." He's just taking the loud and late way.

 

[medi01]

I am informed enough, I side with none of those clowns.

"informed enough" as in:

Dunning–Kruger effect - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It is asshole on one side, and strongarmed developers on the other. It is not about Epic at all, they just happen to be adventurous enough to put some fight.

 

[DrCR]

Apple is totally fine. Unless they get declared a Monopoly, and I don't think their market share is high enough to warrant such a ruling.

With regard to sideloading, didn't Epic initially take that route with Android for Fortnite before abandoning it and going with the store route? Maybe I'm not recalling that correctly.

P.s. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's illegal and you can force them to change via governmental authorities. It feels like a huge swath of whole world is turning into Karens.

 

[medi01]

Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's illegal

Just because something is not illegal, doesn't mean that it should not be.
Legislations are based on principles such as customer interests.

Spotify has rock solid case against the filthy A.

 

[DrCR]

Apple (and, to a much lesser degrees, Google) are engaged in practices that are harmful to their customers.
That shit needs fixing.

Really? That's not how a free country works. And religious freedom is acutely protected, despite however a judge may wish to legislate from the bench -- This situation has nothing to do with that. With regard to Google, I'm still upset the DNC have not put together a proper privacy bill.

Just because something is not illegal, doesn't mean that it should not be.
Legislations are based on principles such as customer interests.

Totally and completely agree with you. Via the courts? That's not how this (is supposed to) work. Unless you're trying to get a ruling of equity, which is a different animal.

 

[Imouto]

Yeah. Such as "I don't like you I won't bake cakes for you". Remind me, how that worked.

Baker who refused to make cake for gay wedding: 'I don't discriminate'

Jack Phillips maintained he would 'serve everybody that comes in my shop,' but that he wouldn't 'create cakes for every message.'

www.nbcnews.com

Do you mean this one?

Apple (and, to a much lesser degrees, Google) are engaged in practices that are harmful to their customers.
That shit needs fixing.

You are free to vote with your wallet. Again, you can use an alternative store or install manually with Android.

 

[DrCR]

Do you mean this one?

iirc that was the situation where they crucified him, and the higher courts (Supreme Court? don't recall) got his back and slammed the lower court(s) for such a terrible job. I'd recommend reading the case brief.

 

[Bones]

"The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users and a great business opportunity for all developers. Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, growing into a multibillion dollar business that reaches millions of iOS customers around the world. We very much want to keep the company as part of the Apple Developer Program and their apps on the Store.

The problem Epic has created for itself is one that can be easily remedied if they submit an update of their app that reverts it to comply with the guidelines they agreed to and which apply to all developers. We won't make an exception for Epic because we don't think it's right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers."

Apple
===================================================================================================================================================================
Translation:
We very much want to retain as much control over any and all that is apple in the world and if we could, we would even take literal contol over apple orchids too and you'd better believe we'd do it if we could... And probrably will one day.
As of late we noticed one of the little peon developers has been making some money as of late and we demand a cut of it on top of whatever fees and so on that's already part of of the agreements made.
We do this in the name of our profit customer service.

A simple solution to all this is for Epic to do as we say:
If Epic doesn't bend over, pucker up and kiss our ass in that special way we really like we'll continue pounding on them. We'll also be more than happy to make an example of Epic for the others developers just in case they have any ideas along the path Epic themselves has taken, namely to no longer be one of the little bitches under our thumb.
You will comply or else.

Apple
====================================================================================================================================================================

And that's how it's coming across to me in what they have said and done up to this point.
Typical heavy-handed, profit/control motivated corporate BS.

 

[eLJay88]

Apple is going backwards, fast.

ROFLMAO, Apple is not at fault here.
Game-company-went-full-troll EPIC is very, very wrong here. They will lose the lawsuit fair and square, but they will cry about it for ages.
Hope Apple will burn EPIC's wallet forcing them back to game development instead of being the troll-poster-child.
They agreed to the conditions of the app store years ago. Now they wilfully violate these conditions and trying to cut out Apple. They want to use it's eco-system, servers and everything but they, a multi-billion dollar company doesn't want to pay for it. Probably the biggest scam since Theranos or Magic Leap.

Fun to see how Steam actually stopped developing games to raise gaming to a higher level. Where as EPIC stopped developing games (UT!) just trying to destroy the scene with it's trolling and exclusivity.
I honestly hold Epic in lower regard than EA or even Blizzard.

 

[Chrispy_]

Lets see if US courts can be persuaded to separate OS and App Store monopoly.

Doesn't matter. US is only a tiny fraction of the global market.
It has to start somewhere and it's mostly likely to kick off in the EU courts where monopolies are heavily penalised.

 

[eLJay88]

Doesn't matter. US is only a tiny fraction of the global market.
It has to start somewhere and it's mostly likely to kick off in the EU courts where monopolies are heavily penalised.

I sincerely doubt EPIC stands any chance in EU courts (I am Dutch with some knowledge of the Dutch and European system) They wilfully complied with reasonable terms. Now they wilfully violate these reasonable terms. The only way European courts would decide in favour of Epic is if the think the terms are unreasonable (which imho they aren't). EPIC wants all the perks of the iOS platform en App store eco-system without having to pay for it. We are talking about a billion dollar company expecting free service.
In addition EPIC might even be persecuted for criminal intent. Since they acted wilfully and aware of the consequences and choose to break the law. (Like the difference between first degree murder vs manslaughter)

 

[ShurikN]

Poll missing a choice.
I am informed enough, I side with none of those clowns.

The choice should be: I don't care, let them destroy each other.

 

[Deleted member 177333]

Game-company-went-full-troll EPIC is very, very wrong here. They will lose the lawsuit fair and square, but they will cry about it for ages.
Hope Apple will burn EPIC's wallet forcing them back to game development instead of being the troll-poster-child.
They agreed to the conditions of the app store years ago. Now they wilfully violate these conditions and trying to cut out Apple. They want to use it's eco-system, servers and everything but they, a multi-billion dollar company doesn't want to pay for it. Probably the biggest scam since Theranos or Magic Leap.

Fun to see how Steam actually stopped developing games to raise gaming to a higher level. Where as EPIC stopped developing games (UT!) just trying to destroy the scene with it's trolling and exclusivity.
I honestly hold Epic in lower regard than EA or even Blizzard.

Yep, agreed. I don't do business with Epic. Not saying I'm a huge fan of Apple, but I detest Epic and will never buy anything from their storefront.

 

[Chrispy_]

I sincerely doubt EPIC stands any chance in EU courts (I am Dutch with some knowledge of the Dutch and European system) They wilfully complied with reasonable terms. Now they wilfully violate these reasonable terms. The only way European courts would decide in favour of Epic is if the think the terms are unreasonable (which imho they aren't). EPIC wants all the perks of the iOS platform en App store eco-system without having to pay for it. We are talking about a billion dollar company expecting free service.
In addition EPIC might even be persecuted for criminal intent. Since they acted wilfully and aware of the consequences and choose to break the law. (Like the difference between first degree murder vs manslaughter)

Oh, Epic don't have a leg to stand on. They violated the terms of their contract because they got greedy.

They don't like the 30% cut Apple/Google take but at the same time, their 70% cut is exclusively created by Apple/Google's ecosystems in the first place. Tim Sweeny is just throwing a tantrum because he's jealous that the market Apple and Google created pretty much from scratch (and have spent two decades working on, investing hundreds of billions of dollars on each) should be something he now gets to exploit for himself without paying for the privilege. Apple and Google aren't charities, and Tim Sweeny ain't no saint. He can say he's doing it for the gamers but everyone with two braincells to rub together can Google just how toxic Sweeny has been for gamers, intentionally fragmenting the game industry and just being an obnoxious, self-serving jerk in his position of relative power within the industry.

My comment was more to stress that if anyone is going to break up Apple/Google ecosystems on anticompetitive/monopolistic grounds, it'll most likely be the European Commission. That case will be a completely separate case of EC vs Apple, not EPIC vs Apple.