Apple says Epic can return to App Store only if it follows the rules

Apple in a statement said Epic is welcome to return to the App Store when it agrees to "play by the same rules as everyone else," terms to which the developer has not yet agreed.

Epic on Thursday asked Apple to reinstate its developer account in light of the passage of a South Korean law that will require app store operators like Apple and Google to offer third-party payment systems for in-app purchases.

"As we've said all along, we would welcome Epic's return to the App Store if they agree to play by the same rules as everyone else," Apple said in a statement to AppleInsider. "Epic has admitted to breach of contract and as of now, there's no legitimate basis for the reinstatement of their developer account."

Accepting the App Store's guidelines is the minimum requirement for any developer to gain entry to the marketplace, but Epic has refused to agree to Apple's terms. Epic's request on Thursday does not demonstrate a willingness to change that stance and Apple is not prepared to consider a request for reinstatement until the developer agrees to comply with App Store rules, Apple says.

The "Fortnite" developer was hanging its hopes on a change of heart following the passage of South Korea's Telecommunications Business Act, which will require app stores to accept alternative payment methods for in-app purchases. Passed late last month, the legislation is not yet in effect.

Interestingly, Epic in its letter to Apple on Thursday said it plans to use Apple SDKs, software and testing services. Why Epic is attempting to access to those tools is unknown, but it can't legally do so without a license.

"Fortnite" was booted off the App Store more than a year ago after Epic sidestepped Apple's commission mechanism by secretly including and later activating a third-party payment option in an app update. Apple consequently deactivated the company's account, an action that triggered a prepared legal barrage and corresponding PR campaign.

16 Comments

thinkman100000000 87 comments · 3 Years

About 3 years ago

Really tired of Apple playing nice with A*holes like this. Epic could be said to have caused irreparable damage to Apple in their campaign to debase them. Fartnite is incredibly popular thanks to the likes of Apple and Google, yet the billions Epic made on these platforms was just not quite enough. But, I can't see Epic throwing in the towel to abide by the App Store rules, particularly since they are still litigating. Their begging needs to be front page news if for no other reason than to show everyone who follows this mini-series what lunatics they are!

UnReal Engine, on the other hand, is truly amazing, and needs to be available for all the game developers who depend on them. I wonder how much Epic charges them - is it a one time licencing fee or do they pay a percentage of income?

karmathing 2 comments · 3 Years

About 3 years ago

Epic: We want you to host our free app on your platform. But we want all the income. Cool?
Apple: Well, no.
Epic: Waaaaah We’re being repressed! Greedy Apple!
Apple: You’re welcome back if you follow the same rules as the others.
Epic: Waaaaaaaaah

jcs2305 1340 comments · 11 Years

About 3 years ago

thinkman100000000 said:

Really tired of Apple playing nice with A*holes like this. Epic could be said to have caused irreparable damage to Apple in their campaign to debase them. Fartnite is incredibly popular thanks to the likes of Apple and Google, yet the billions Epic made on these platforms was just not quite enough. But, I can't see Epic throwing in the towel to abide by the App Store rules, particularly since they are still litigating. Their begging needs to be front page news if for no other reason than to show everyone who follows this mini-series what lunatics they are!

UnReal Engine, on the other hand, is truly amazing, and needs to be available for all the game developers who depend on them. I wonder how much Epic charges them - is it a one time licencing fee or do they pay a percentage of income?

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-16-what-is-the-best-game-engine-is-unreal-engine-4-the-right-game-engine-for-you

Another aspect that has evolved drastically over the years is its pricing model. Up until Unreal Engine 3, Epic's licensing costs were high, starting at $99 for its Unreal Development Kit but usually going much higher as most licences were custom. When UE4 was released, Epic Games tested a subscription model at $19 a month, which resulted in its userbase growing ten times larger in a single year. At that point, the company decided to make UE4 free.
Epic then switched to a royalties system -- initially, if your game made more than $3,000 per calendar quarter, Epic would take a 5% royalty. When announcing Unreal Engine 5, the company also changed this system and removed all royalties on the first $1 million in revenue for all games made in Unreal Engine. This took effect on May 13, 2020, but is retroactive to January 1, 2020.

nadriel 92 comments · 5 Years

About 3 years ago

thinkman100000000 said:

Really tired of Apple playing nice with A*holes like this. Epic could be said to have caused irreparable damage to Apple in their campaign to debase them. Fartnite is incredibly popular thanks to the likes of Apple and Google, yet the billions Epic made on these platforms was just not quite enough. But, I can't see Epic throwing in the towel to abide by the App Store rules, particularly since they are still litigating. Their begging needs to be front page news if for no other reason than to show everyone who follows this mini-series what lunatics they are!

UnReal Engine, on the other hand, is truly amazing, and needs to be available for all the game developers who depend on them. I wonder how much Epic charges them - is it a one time licencing fee or do they pay a percentage of income?

According to this, after first 1 million dollars of gross *revenue* it’s a 5% royalty.

edit: this being their site
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/download

earthkid 35 comments · 4 Years

About 3 years ago

epic is just a bully kid that doesn't know how to play by the rules, law, or signed contracts. warning anyone who do business with epic, since they don't convey by their own sign contracts, they could just overtake you at anytime if they feel like it. I don't think they got enough love while growing up from their parents. this why they turn out such a spoil brat bully kids that only want things their way. I mean they doing worse things to their customers, someone should go complain about that with their royalty points system.