APPLE BLOCKS EPIC GAMES APP STORE ACCOUNT AFTER JUDGE ORDER NOT TO BLOCK UNREAL ENGINE
The fight takes a different twist as Apple blocks Epic Games App Store account, this comes just after a mixed verdict from the U.S. District Court judge ordered Apple not to terminate the game giant’s ability to offer and distribute Unreal Engine tools on the iPhone-maker’s ecosystem. Epic had earlier moved with a motion to temporarily restore the Fortnite game to the App Store but was denied.
Noting the fact that Epic Games did not breach any contract related to Unreal Engine coupled with developer tools, but violated App Store’s guidelines. In the earlier verdict the presiding judge ‘Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ made it clear that “Apple has chosen to act severely, and by doing so, has impacted non-parties, and a third-party developer ecosystem”.
The latest from Apple shouldn’t result to any panic, which means, if you have already downloaded Fortnite to your iOS or Mac device, it should still function effectively, while on the other hand, Apple terminating Epic’s account meant the subject game developer has been restrained from submitting new apps or further updates.
Previously, the iOS giant made it clear that Fortnite removal from the App Store was entirely self-inflicted while noting that it’s in Epic’s hand to have it resolved, which could’ve been unless Epic Games attempt to bring back Fortnite in accordance with App Store guidelines. However, Apple blocking Epic Games account was rather based on breaches of its store guidelines, while after the ruling, Apple went ahead and notified Epic that it will be revoking all its developer tools.
The latest dispute between the two companies was eventually given a clearer picture based on the fact that App Store is at the moment featuring Fortnite competitor PUBG, tweeted by MacStories Managing Editor ‘John Voorhees’, noting that the fight has gotten pretty.
Apple eventually confirmed the latest development, stating that:
“We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store. We have worked with the team at Epic Games for many years on their launches and releases. The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this situation. Epic has refused. Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight. We hope that we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately that is not possible today”.
Meanwhile, the latest removal should have no effect on the Unreal Engine, a different account separately managed by Epic. Apple also claimed Epic has been creating support issues by directing frustrated users to its AppleCare. Meaning Epic simply needs to comply with the rules and Fortnite with others will be restored on the App Store.
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