Today, the Apple-Epic saga takes a new turn as Fortnite game developer Epic Games announced that Apple has terminated its developer account. This is a reversal of Apple's approval of the account last month, where Epic announced it would be able to bring Fortnite back to iOS devices in the EU through the region's new law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA). did. However, Epic has now announced that Apple's lawyers have sent a letter to Epic Games terminating his Swedish AB account. Epic calls this a “serious DMA violation” and shows Apple has no intention of “allowing true competition on iOS devices.” ”
“By terminating Epic's developer account, Apple is eliminating one of the biggest potential competitors to the Apple App Store. They are hurting our ability to be a viable competitor. “We are showing other developers what happens when they try to compete with Apple or criticize Apple's unfair practices,” Epic wrote on its blog, where it also published a copy of the communication. has been done. With Apple.
The game developer claimed that one of the reasons Apple supported its decision was Epic's criticism of Apple's proposed DMA rules, including a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. I am. Of course, Epic has been a thorn in Apple's side, filing lawsuits over antitrust concerns and lobbying for regulations in multiple markets to crack down on Apple's power and influence over the app economy. There is. As a result, it appears Apple would rather end the deal with Epic. According to Epic, Apple reportedly told the company that this was a “threat to its ecosystem.”
But after publicly sharing its intentions and requesting one of the DMA talks that Apple offers to App Store developers, Epic reassured in writing that it agrees to all terms of the developer agreement. He said he did. (The request was initially denied). It was only after Apple's lawyers sent a letter terminating the Epic Games Sweden AB account that it agreed to abide by its rules.
A letter written by Apple executive Phil Schiller alleges that Epic is retaliating against the tech giant for speaking out.
“In the past, Epic has entered into agreements with Apple that have subsequently been broken,” Schiller reminded game makers in a letter dated February 23, 2024. economic benefit. You recently described our DMA Compliance as “hot trash,” a “horror show,” and a “bad new malicious compliance.” And you complain about so-called “junk fees” and “Apple taxes.”
Schiller suggested that Epic's “various criticisms” combined with its past actions “strongly suggest that Epic Sweden has no intention of playing by the rules.” He added that another deliberate breach “could threaten not only the integrity of the iOS platform, but also the security and privacy of our users.”
“…tell us in plain, unqualified terms why we should trust Epic at this time,” he concluded.
The company also noted that it has a contractual relationship with Apple dating back to 2010 for Epic's games, Unreal Engine, and other creator tools, and that Apple itself is a public supporter of Epic's Unreal Engine.
Apple has been contacted for comment.