Epic Games, the publisher of Fortnite, can no longer design apps for iPhone users and other mobile devices.Apple : the electronics and technology giant closed its account on Friday, after having already banned the application of the famous survival shooting game.
“We are disappointed that we had to close the Epic Games account in the App Store. We have worked with their team for many years on launches and releases ”, said the Californian group.
The two companies have been clashing for two weeks in the courts and in the press over the commission that Apple levies on consumer purchases via the App Store, its essential platform for downloading applications on the brand’s devices.
On Monday, a California judge ruled that Apple could not exclude Epic Games from its developer program, but ruled in favor of removing the video game from the App Store.
Editor “Seems to have put himself in this difficult situation”, had specified the magistrate, since it broke the terms of the contract concluded with the giant of electronics and technologies.
In accordance with the judge’s decision, Apple did not cut off Epic Games’ access to a program necessary to run its Unreal Engine video creation platform, used by various clients of the publisher, mainly studios.
Commission “Tyrannical”
In the heart of the battle: Epic Games judges “Tyrannical” Apple’s 30% commission on revenue generated by businesses that use the App Store to distribute their apps to consumers on iPhones and tablets.
The publisher recently attempted to bypass iOS’s payment system (the operating software) in Fortnite updates, but Apple immediately removed the ultra-popular game from the App Store.
Epic Games has filed a complaint against Apple for abuse of dominance.
“The court recommended that Epic abide by the rules of the App Store pending the resolution of the court case, rules they followed for years until they created this situation. Epic refused “Apple explained on Friday.
“It’s not fair to all the other developers on the App Store, and it puts customers at the heart of their battle. We hope that it will be possible to work together again in the future, but it is not possible today ”, added the group.
Epic Games ensures for its part to fight “In principle”, in the name of the freedom of developers and gamers.“Apple is asking Epic to revert to the version of Fortnite that exclusively uses Apple’s payment system. It is an invitation to make Epic an accomplice of Apple in maintaining its monopoly on transactions under iOS ”, the company said.
“Smartphone users have the right to install apps from any source they choose. Software developers have the right to express their ideas and compete in fair marketplaces. Apple’s rules take away these freedoms ”, she added.
Apple, judge and party on the App Store, regularly defends itself against any abuse by explaining that the commissions, of a standard level on other equivalent stores, are used to protect the applications and their users from hackers and scams.
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