Apple highlights PUBG Mobile on same day it's set to close 'Fortnite' account

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion
Apple is highlighting a "Fortnite" competitor on the App Store while Epic Games has taken to blaming the company for the game's removal in direct emails to iOS and macOS players.

Credit: PUBG
Credit: PUBG


The new volley in the ongoing legal saga between Apple and Epic comes on the same day that Apple is set to shut down Epic's developer account on iOS and macOS.

On the App Store, the featured piece of editorial content is about PUBG Mobile's "new era." Although possibly coincidental, the timing of the highlight appears to be a jab at Epic Games -- or a reminder to "Fortnite" players that similar battle royale titles exist.

A new era of @PUBGMOBILE is coming, featuring an overhaul of the Erangel map and a bold new look.

Check out the exclusive sneak peek here. https://t.co/ZmcDm6zKQR

-- App Store (@AppStore)


The previous evening to that App Store highlight, Epic Games sent direct emails to iOS and macOS players that accused Apple of being the sole reason that "Fortnite" updates are blocked.
Apple limits competition so they can collect 30% of consumer payments made in apps like Fortnite, raising the prices you pay. Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players. Epic has taken legal action to end Apple's anti-competitive restrictions on mobile device marketplaces. Papers are available for our August 13, August 17, and August 23 filings. In retaliation for this action, Apple blocked your access to Fortnite updates and new installs on all iOS devices.
The "Fortnite" creator makes no mention of the temporary restraining order it had tried to obtain to get the game restored to the App Store. It also fails to mention the fact that a district judge in a hearing Monday declined to grant that TRO, claiming that the "Fortnite" situation was one of Epic's own making.

Epic Games originally baited Apple to remove "Fortnite" from the App Store by implementing a direct payment feature that was in direct violation of Apple's developer guidelines. The move was clearly strategic, since Epic filed a prepared lawsuit and launched a marketing campaign less than an hour after Apple pulled "Fortnite."

PUGB Mobile, it's worth noting, is made using Epic Games' Unreal Engine. As part of the court's decision on Monday, Apple can't block updates to Unreal Engine.

jahbladeBeats
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 36
    Apple_BarApple_Bar Posts: 134member
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    killroyBeatswatto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 2 of 36
    carnegiecarnegie Posts: 1,078member
    I’ve never played Fortnite, but I have purchased games from Epic Games before. I won’t in the future, unless the company’s CEO apologizes for its behavior and his rhetoric in this situation. His rhetoric is offensive, it insults the intelligence of those it means to persuade. Epic’s actions have been deplorable and demonstrate an arrogant - and dangerous - lack of respect for property rights, which rights are among the essential foundations which society and the prosperity it facilitates are built on.

    The essence of Epic Games’ complaints is that Apple won’t let it steal Apple’s IP. Apple won’t let Epic Games use its IP unless Epic Games agrees to abide by the terms under which Apple is willing to license the use of that IP. And Apple won’t let Epic Games directly monetize Apple’s IP unless Epic Games gives Apple a fair share of the revenue generated from the monetization if its IP.

    Epic Games may eventually, to at least some degree, win this fight. But it shouldn’t. And if it does, that victory will represent a further erosion of the foundations on which the enormous benefits of societal organization are built.
    Rayz2016DAalsethwilliamlondonmobirdpscooter63Beatsrundhvidwatto_cobralolliverDetnator
  • Reply 3 of 36
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    williamlondonCloudTalkinBeatselijahg
  • Reply 4 of 36
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    I find PUBG a lot more enjoyable than Fornite, looking forward to seeing how they've updated Erangel.
    jahblademrmacgeek
  • Reply 5 of 36
    verne araseverne arase Posts: 460member
    thepimento said:
    Of course they're going to push PUBG. The app is made by Tencent. 
    Actually, I believe Tencent owns a piece of Epic too.
    hammeroftruthtmaypscooter63Beatswatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 36
    mknelsonmknelson Posts: 1,125member
    verne arase said:
    thepimento said:
    Of course they're going to push PUBG. The app is made by Tencent. 
    Actually, I believe Tencent owns a piece of Epic too.
    48.4%, you are correct! That's a mighty big piece!

    PUBG is in many ways the origins of the current style of Battle Royale.
    mrmacgeektmaywatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 36
    NaiyasNaiyas Posts: 107member
    After being burnt once by a game that used IAP for the acquisition of in-game currency several years ago I will never fall prey to the same type of game monetisation again, regardless of publisher. I get that the creation of games is expensive, but I would rather pay $30-$50 for a good game than be at risk of losing $1000's. Anyone's enjoyment of a game should not but their real world livelihood on the line.
    entropyselijahgwatto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 8 of 36
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    crowley said:
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    You said the magic word. “Epic will have to cover payment processing themselves”. The added cost will mean prices to the customer will not drop at all. 
    williamlondonmwhitepscooter63Beatswatto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 9 of 36
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    You said the magic word. “Epic will have to cover payment processing themselves”. The added cost will mean prices to the customer will not drop at all. 
    Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    williamlondonBeatselijahg
  • Reply 10 of 36
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    crowley said:
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    You said the magic word. “Epic will have to cover payment processing themselves”. The added cost will mean prices to the customer will not drop at all. 
    Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    Because companies lie. This price drop would be gone in a few months. Seen it happen over and over. 
    williamlondonmwhiteRayz2016mcdavetmaypscooter63Beatsentropyswatto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 11 of 36
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    You said the magic word. “Epic will have to cover payment processing themselves”. The added cost will mean prices to the customer will not drop at all. 
    Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    Because companies lie. This price drop would be gone in a few months. Seen it happen over and over. 
    The Epic Game Store has had a lower commission rate (12%) than Steam (30%, same as Apple) for over 18 months.  Your reckons are not supported by observable facts.
    williamlondonCloudTalkinrundhvidelijahg
  • Reply 12 of 36
    temperortemperor Posts: 66member
    crowley said:
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    You said the magic word. “Epic will have to cover payment processing themselves”. The added cost will mean prices to the customer will not drop at all. 
    Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    Because companies lie. This price drop would be gone in a few months. Seen it happen over and over. 
    The Epic Game Store has had a lower commission rate (12%) than Steam (30%, same as Apple) for over 18 months.  Your reckons are not supported by observable facts.
    Sure they do not review the app for compliance on Android or iOS privacy and security, do not check for usability, interface consistency. They do not need to develop the OS, they pretty make much more money then Google and Apple at 30% ... they just host it and do the pavement processing, that probably costs them 1%, the rest pure benefit ...  
    williamlondonBeatswatto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 13 of 36
    foregoneconclusionforegoneconclusion Posts: 2,677member
    crowley said: Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    The gotcha is that Epic's largest Fortnite market, gaming consoles, doesn't pass savings on to consumers. The price for digital (30% cut) and physical (55% cut) copies of new console games are the same, despite the obvious difference in cut from the store. Going by what Epic claims would happen with iOS/iPadOS, digital copies on consoles should be around 25% less than physical ones. 
    hammeroftruthtmayBeatswatto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 14 of 36
    mcdavemcdave Posts: 1,927member
    I thought Fortnite was just a camp PUBG rip-off by the Unreal engine creators anyway. It seems it’s not just Apple who Sherlock.
    Rayz2016watto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 15 of 36
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    crowley said: Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    The gotcha is that Epic's largest Fortnite market, gaming consoles, doesn't pass savings on to consumers. The price for digital (30% cut) and physical (55% cut) copies of new console games are the same, despite the obvious difference in cut from the store. Going by what Epic claims would happen with iOS/iPadOS, digital copies on consoles should be around 25% less than physical ones. 
    Publishers don't have much control over the price that a physical retail store chooses to sell at, whereas most/all digital stores will allow them to set the price.  Comparing to physical is not a straight comparison.

    And in any case, Fornite is a free download from the console stores, but it isn't free if you gfet a disc from a retailer.
    edited August 2020 watto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 36
    ashleyashley Posts: 6member
    thepimento said:
    Of course they're going to push PUBG. The app is made by Tencent. 
    Epic Games was acquired by Tencent in 2012
    BeatsMacFansentropyswatto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 36
    killroykillroy Posts: 276member
    Of course they're going to push PUBG. The app is made by Tencent. 

    Tencent Holdings Ltd owns 40% of Epic.
    BeatsMacFanswatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 36
    BeatsBeats Posts: 3,073member
    crowley said:
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    DAalseth said:
    crowley said:
    Apple_Bar said:
    From Epic’s email:

    “Epic lowered prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players.”

    They are making an extra $1 from these d*mb players. They still don’t see it and believe the #freefornite c*ap. 
    So?  It's still $2 less for players, and Epic wil have to cover payment processing themselves.  Epic aren't claiming that they're a non-profit.  Not sure why you think any of this makes the players dumb (or why dumb needs to be censored).
    You said the magic word. “Epic will have to cover payment processing themselves”. The added cost will mean prices to the customer will not drop at all. 
    Except that Epic already indicated that they would.  Epic's price was $7.99 for DLC that cost $9.99 using IAP.  Not sure what gotcha you think you've stumbled on there, but it's easily dismissed.
    Because companies lie. This price drop would be gone in a few months. Seen it happen over and over. 
    The Epic Game Store has had a lower commission rate (12%) than Steam (30%, same as Apple) for over 18 months.  Your reckons are not supported by observable facts.

    The observable fact is Epic has been caught lying over and over again. Just look at how deceitful the email is.
    watto_cobralolliver
  • Reply 19 of 36
    MacFansMacFans Posts: 3member
    thepimento said:
    Of course they're going to push PUBG. The app is made by Tencent. 
    Actually Tencent own 40% share of Epic.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 36
    Gilliam_BatesGilliam_Bates Posts: 198member
    One thing no-one has brought up — maybe it's not relevant enough for the discussion, idk — but it has been bugging me for a long time: privacy, security, usability, and interface consistency all suck in Fortnite. Some of these aspects are so bad that I would like to say they don't even exist in the app. Sure, it's a game with a world of its own, but there are plenty of situations where they both could and should be adhering to iOS consistency, and use platform specific code for it. But nope, not even there. So what exactly has Apple provided when it comes to quality ensurance of this app?
    edited August 2020 killroylolliver
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