Apple has terminated Epic Games’ developer account (actually, this happened back in 2020), the Fortnite video-game maker whined on Wednesday.
Reuters:
Epic Games said it had intended to use the developer account to bring the online marketplace, Epic Games Store, and the Fortnite game to iOS devices in Europe.
The two companies have been in a legal battle since 2020, when the gaming firm alleged that Apple’s practice of charging up to 30% commissions on in-app payments on iPhones and other devices violated U.S. antitrust rules.
The Fortnite developer also alleged that by terminating its developer account, Apple was removing one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store.
MacDailyNews Take: In order to use Apple’s developer tools and services, or distribute software on Apple platforms, developers need to agree to adhere to Apple’s terms or face termination of their account(s).
Epic instead decided to play stupid games and win stupid prizes.
Epic Games clearly failed to adhere to Apple’s terms when it violated Apple’s App Store guidelines by offering up a way to bypass App Store In-App Payments in Fortnite. In fact and as such, and rightfully so, Epic Games’ developer account was terminated by Apple in 2020.
May they never get it back.
UPDATE: 1:03pm ET: Apple on Wednesday shared the following statement with MacRumors:
Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate “any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion.” In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.
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Anyone willing to bet this decision will haunt Apple for years to come when dealing with future 3rd party App stores?
FAFO