Apple has officially banned Fortnite and its developer, Epic Games from the iOS as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
In the official statement from Apple, the Cupertino based company blames Epic Games for not following the App Store guidelines. Apple points at the extended relationship with Epic Games and suggests that something has changed in the hierarchy of the company led by Tim Sweeney.
“They’ve followed [the guidelines] for the past decade until they [Epic Games] created this situation” reads Apple’s statement, ”
Apple says that Epic Games has refused to comply with Apple’s conditions, ” They repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. Apple is referring to Epic Games’ updating Fortnite for allowing players to acquire V-Bucks directly from the app.
Apple has terminated his relationship with Epic Games, and there won’t be a game from the developer on the App Store. Currently installed games will still work but won’t receive future updates. Apple’s intention was to remove all Unreal Engine apps from its platform, following a restraining order dictated by the US Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
“The record shows potential significant damage to both the Unreal Engine platform itself, and to the gaming industry generally, including on both third-party developers and gamers,”… “Apple has chosen to act severely, and by doing so, has impacted non-parties, and a third-party developer ecosystem,” said Gonzales Rogers.
Apple’s move against Epic Games goes against the costumers who chose iOS as a platform that supports content from the biggest game developers, and publishers, Epic Games included. iOS users are dragged by Apple’s decision and have lost the ability to play one of the most important games of the decade, if not the most important game ever released.
Epic Games has released an official statement explaining to users why Apple decision is against the costumer:
“Epic believes that you have a right to save money thanks to using more efficient, new purchase options. Apple’s rules add a 30% tax on all of your purchases, and they punish game developers like us who offer direct payment options.”
Apple has blocked Fortnite from the App Store, removing everyone’s ability to install and update the game on iOS devices, while instructing Epic to “remove the ‘Epic direct payment’ feature”. Apple is keeping prices high so they can collect 30% of your payments, and is blocking Fortnite to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to you! Join the fight against @AppStore on social media with # FreeFortnite.
Source: GamesIndustry
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