Mike Peterson
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.
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.
— App Store (@AppStore) August 28, 2020
Check out the exclusive sneak peek here. https://t.co/ZmcDm6zKQR
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.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
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36 Comments
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.
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.
I find PUBG a lot more enjoyable than Fornite, looking forward to seeing how they've updated Erangel.