The “Apple versus Epic Games” series continues, and the Apple brand does not seem ready to bury the hatchet. The American studio behind the success of Fortnite has in fact seen its developer account revoked, thus dashing hopes of seeing the game return to iOS in Europe. This action comes as the new European Digital Markets Act (DMA) has just come into force, imposing stricter rules on large tech companies like Apple to promote competition.
iOS 17.4 and the hope of new App Store
The deployment of iOS 17.4 had raised expectations about the opening of the iOS ecosystem to new alternative App Stores. Epic Games, as the main potential competitor, was among those considering this opportunity to offer its own app store. However, Apple’s revocation of Epic Games’ developer account thwarted those plans, highlighting the challenges third-party developers face in trying to access the app market on iOS.
The implementation of the DMA was expected to be a turning point for Europe’s mobile app industry, giving developers a chance to challenge Apple’s monopoly on the App Store. However, Apple’s desire to ban Epic Games from iOS goes against this new regulation.
The Apple-Epic Games conflict persists
The legal saga between Apple and Epic Games, which began in 2020 with the dispute over App Store commissions, continues. Apple’s revocation of Epic Games’ developer account is the latest chapter in a series of confrontations, highlighting growing tensions between the two companies.
Apple’s decision to close Epic Games’ developer account sparked outrage from the latter, who in a statement accused Apple of violating the DMA and preventing healthy competition on iOS. For its part, Apple spoke to the MacRumors site and defends its action by citing alleged violations of contractual agreements by Epic Games and emphasizing its desire to protect the iOS ecosystem against potential threats.