Epic isn't planning on making changes to return 'Fortnite' to the App Store
Epic Games has confirmed that the upcoming season of "Fortnite" will not be available on iOS or macOS devices, suggesting that the company will continue to refuse to comply with Apple guidelines for the foreseeable future.
"Fortnite" being played on an iPhone. Credit: AppleInsider
The news follows a court decision denying Epic's call for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would restore "Fortnite" to the App Store. In the ruling, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said that Epic was not suffering irreparable harm and added that the situation seemed like one of its own making.
In an update to a "Fortnite" FAQ on Wednesday, Epic Games said that the season update would not be available on iPhone, iPad or Mac on the Aug. 27 date.
The "Fortnite" maker says that Apple is "blocking Fortnite updates and new installs on the App Store," which is true. Epic does not mention that "Fortnite" was only removed from the App Store after it baited Apple into doing so.
At a hearing on the TRO Monday, Judge Rogers said that Epic could remove the direct payment system that it had implemented in violation of Apple's developer guidelines and "return to the status quo." The FAQ update on Wednesday confirms that Epic Games won't make the necessary changes to allow "Fortnite" to return to the App Store.
The implementation of the direct payment system was a strategic move on Epic's part to protest Apple's 15% to 30% cut of in-app purchases. Shortly after "Fortnite" was removed from the App Store, Epic Games filed an antitrust lawsuit and launched a marketing campaign alleging monopolistic behavior from Apple.
Apple, for its part, applauded Judge Rogers' decision on Tuesday, and said it would "gladly" restore "Fortnite" to the App Store if the infringing feature was removed from the app.
Our very first priority is making sure App Store users have a great experience in a safe and trusted environment, including iPhone users who play 'Fortnite' and who are looking forward to the game's next season," Apple said.
At Monday's hearing, Judge Rogers said that she was not inclined to issue a TRO for the "Fortnite" itself. But, she did issue protections that bar Apple from taking "retaliatory" measures against Epic Games property Unreal Engine, which is managed through a different developer account and business entity than "Fortnite."
"Fortnite" being played on an iPhone. Credit: AppleInsider
The news follows a court decision denying Epic's call for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would restore "Fortnite" to the App Store. In the ruling, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said that Epic was not suffering irreparable harm and added that the situation seemed like one of its own making.
In an update to a "Fortnite" FAQ on Wednesday, Epic Games said that the season update would not be available on iPhone, iPad or Mac on the Aug. 27 date.
The "Fortnite" maker says that Apple is "blocking Fortnite updates and new installs on the App Store," which is true. Epic does not mention that "Fortnite" was only removed from the App Store after it baited Apple into doing so.
At a hearing on the TRO Monday, Judge Rogers said that Epic could remove the direct payment system that it had implemented in violation of Apple's developer guidelines and "return to the status quo." The FAQ update on Wednesday confirms that Epic Games won't make the necessary changes to allow "Fortnite" to return to the App Store.
The implementation of the direct payment system was a strategic move on Epic's part to protest Apple's 15% to 30% cut of in-app purchases. Shortly after "Fortnite" was removed from the App Store, Epic Games filed an antitrust lawsuit and launched a marketing campaign alleging monopolistic behavior from Apple.
Apple, for its part, applauded Judge Rogers' decision on Tuesday, and said it would "gladly" restore "Fortnite" to the App Store if the infringing feature was removed from the app.
Our very first priority is making sure App Store users have a great experience in a safe and trusted environment, including iPhone users who play 'Fortnite' and who are looking forward to the game's next season," Apple said.
At Monday's hearing, Judge Rogers said that she was not inclined to issue a TRO for the "Fortnite" itself. But, she did issue protections that bar Apple from taking "retaliatory" measures against Epic Games property Unreal Engine, which is managed through a different developer account and business entity than "Fortnite."
Comments
That's likely their end goal here, too.
I trust Apple; I don't trust Epic.
That's a moronic declaration. Apple isn't catering to your `perceived rights' it is designing and developing solutions for their platforms to best serve and protect the data its customers expect to be protected. You have no `perceived rights' to how Apple should meet your wishes. If you have expectations in a platform then go use the one that meets your expectations. This Libertarian philosophy of I'll manage my system doesn't fly--it's not your system. You don't own the OS. Go install Linux. Apple has large contracts with corporations who pay for features that include security across the entire platform(s). Those contractual agreements benefit consumers by having those same features FOR FREE. You don't pay for OS X. Suck it up.
Epic intentionally breaks the rules
Gets banned
Says it won't follow the rules.
"NO! I don't wanna!"
You dug your own grave.
1) 30% is fine.
2) Apple doesn’t prevent store circumvention it just prevents the promotion in-app. Perhaps it should tighten that up.
3) Other platforms demonstrate that opening the platform to other stores may lower store fees, it disadvantages the customers in almost every other way.
Hopefully Justice will drop these actions.
I can't believe I recommended Apple TV run Fortnite to get the ball rolling for Apple TV gaming. What a scum company.
The problem is, Apple didn't take gaming seriously and now that one of their biggest games is leaving the App Store it's biting them in the ass. Had Apple had AAA first party exclusives ready, if Apple Arcade was better than Fortnite and had great competitive online games like I've been suggesting for a year, then very little gamers would care. Non-gamers won't notice a difference(duh) but this WILL affect gamers whether you're a Fortnite fan or not.
Epic is effectively abandoning suing for damages, because (1) this is self-imposed damage; and (2) we'll never know how much Epic could have sold through iOS and Apple's cut.