Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has confirmed on Twitter that the popular game Fortnite will not be returning to Apple's App Store anytime soon.
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Epic vs Apple: Judge rules Apple must allow App Store developers to link to third party payment options
According to the ruling, Apple’s practices are anti-competitive, and the company must allow App Store developers to redirect to third-party payment options.
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Apple exec: malware level on Mac no longer “acceptable”
iOS has established a dramatically higher bar for customer protection. The Mac is not meeting that bar today, said Apple's Craig Federighi.
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Epic Games takes another jab at Apple with an antitrust complaint in Europe
Epic Games is again going after Apple, and this time, the two companies will be duking it out in Europe. The company behind the Fortnite juggernaut has today announced that it has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in its bid to ensure equitable digital platform rules for developers as well as consumers.
In its complaint filed before the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, the developer alleges that Apple has imposed a number of anti-competitive restrictions with its tight grip over the iOS ecosystem that has ended all competition when it comes to app distribution and how payments are processed.
Epic Games is accusing Apple of abusing its dominant market position for its own benefit while choking rivals, something that is said to violate EU’s antitrust regulations.
Epic Games cites the whole Fortnite fiasco from last year as an example of how Apple’s policies have hurt the developer. The company also argues that Apple has launched its own game subscription service called Apple Arcade, but has kept competitors from doing the same on its platform.
To recall, cloud-based game streaming services that rely on a similar subscription model such as NVIDIA’s GeForce Now, Google’s Stadia – and soon Microsoft’s xCloud too – are only accessible on iPhones and iPads via the web, and not as a standalone app distributed via the App Store. Here’s what Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney had to say regarding the company’s latest legal attack on Apple:
| “We will not stand idly by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field. It’s bad for consumers, who are paying inflated prices due to the complete lack of competition among stores and in-app payment processing. And it’s bad for developers, whose very livelihoods often hinge on Apple’s complete discretion as to who to allow on the iOS platform, and on which terms.” |
What’s at stake here is the very future of mobile platforms: Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney
In its complaint, Epic has asked the European Commission to put in place some remedial controls to counter Apple’s anti-competitive conduct. The company further adds that it is not seeking any damages from Apple, but wants a level playing field for itself and other developers, a move that is said to effectively pass the benefits to consumers as well.
| “This is much bigger than Epic versus Apple – it goes to the heart of whether consumers and developers can do business together directly on mobile platforms or are forced to use monopoly channels against their wishes and interests.” |
At the height of Epic and Apple’s tussle last year, CEO Tim Sweeney took a veiled shot at Apple, calling it a middleman that uses its power to separate gamers from game creators. He added that Epic’s beef with Apple was about ensuring basic freedom for all consumers and developers.
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Epic Games cancels Fortnite World Cup in 2021, commits to more online tournaments
The year 2021 has been all about video calls and virtual meets, and one area that has been affected significantly by this drastic social shift is the domain of sports. And with sports, I mean both in-person physical sports fixtures as well as esports events. And as bad as it sounds, we don’t know how long that will continue to be the state of affairs. In yet another setback for fans that many saw coming, Epic Games has today announced that it won’t hold its big-money Fortnite World Cup event in 2021. In fact, Epic Games it doesn’t plan to hold any in-person event next year.
No in-person Fortnite events in 2021
“Our intent is to eventually hold global in-person tournaments again, but our priority for any such event is the health and safety of our players and staff. With so much still unknown about what is practical and safe, we do not plan to hold in-person events in 2021, including a Fortnite World Cup. We will continue to provide online competitions throughout 2021 with the hopes that physical events, in some form, can return at some point in the future,” said the blog post.
While in-person events, including Fortnite World Cup, have been nixed for the year 2021, Epic Games has promised to host multiple online tournaments to make up for it. The company revealed that it is currently scheduling more weekly tournaments, unique tournaments, and Creator Cups for next year. To recall, the inaugural Fortnite World Cup in 2019 was one of the biggest esports events of the year and had a prize pool of a cool $30 million.
More weekly tournaments and Creator Cups
While the party size has been standardized to Trios for the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) – the key ranking system for competitive Fortnite – Epic Games has promised a lot more competitive stuff is in the pipeline than just Trios. The studio is also implementing the new Bars for competitive playlists and will also be listening to feedback from players on how the new gameplay mechanics in the latest season fan out for Fortnite’s competitive gaming space.
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Apple strikes back, Epic Games now being sued for breach of contract damages
The newest chapter of the Apple vs Epic Games drama has just been revealed. Both companies are waiting for a preliminary injunction hearing that will decide if the Fortnite app will be allowed back on Apple’s App Store, but things have taken an interesting turn. It seems that Apple has decided to make Epic Games pay for their actions, literally.
We could see the Apple vs Epic games issue rise to new dimensions, as Apple has filed counterclaims and responses against Epic Games. Cupertino is requesting damages for breach of contract and other counts, trying to get back all the money Fortnite collected through its payment system. Apple also claims that Epic’s lawsuit is “nothing more than a basic disagreement over money.”
“Although Epic portrays itself as a modern corporate Robin Hood, in reality it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that simply wants to pay nothing for the tremendous value it derives from the App Store. Epic’s demands for special treatment and cries of “retaliation” cannot be reconciled with its flagrant breach of contract and its own business practices, as it rakes in billions by taking commissions on game developers’ sales and charging consumers up to $99.99 for bundles of “V-Bucks.”
“For years, Epic took advantage of everything the App Store had to offer. It availed itself of the tools, technology, software, marketing opportunities, and customer reach that Apple provided so that it could bring games like Infinity Blade and Fortnite to Apple customers all over the world. It enjoyed the tremendous resources that Apple pours into its App Store to constantly innovate and create new opportunities for developers and experiences for customers, as well as to review and approve every app, keeping the App Store safe and secure for customers and developers alike.”
At this moment, we can’t tell just how much money Apple may want to claim in damages from Epic, but we know that Cupertino said in the filing that Epic Games had earned over $600 million from its App Store. On the other hand, Epic is still looking to get Fortnite back on the store, with the direct payment option that goes against Apple’s policies. Now, we only have to wait until September 28, when the preliminary injunction hearing is set to take place. If you’re curious, you can take a look at Apple’s complete filing by clicking on this link. It will also help you understand Apple’s perspective on the issue at hand.
Source CNBC
Via MacRumors
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Pocketnow Daily: iPhone 12 will be Apple’s WEIRDEST Launch EVER? (video)
https://youtu.be/tRLtMX_UIqs
The Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, 10.2-inch iPad and more on sale today
Deals. Yes, the Galaxy S20 5G is still $170 off, which leaves the 128GB variant for $979 but, you still get the Galaxy Buds+ for free. The brand new Galaxy Watch 3 is also $64 off, leaving it at $365 shipped for the 45mm variant. Finally, The Razer Blade Pro 17 is $200 off, leaving the Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 variant for $2400. We have more deals on iPads, Galaxy Watches and gaming peripherals in the links in the description.Richard Yu talks about when we can expect a HUAWEI HarmonyOS smartphone
It’s been over a year since the last time we talked about Harmony OS. In case you don’t remember, Huawei was banned by the US over a year ago which is the reason why new Huawei phones don’t bring Google Play Services. Well, during all the drama Huawei said that they would be making their own OS which was 60% faster than Android amongst other things. They actually unveiled the first version at their Developer Conference but, it was far from a finished product. Well, according to a new rumor that sites Richard Yu, Huawei will be unveiling Harmony OS 2.0 at this year’s Huawei Developer’s Conference and we should see the first smartphone rocking it by 2021. Apparently there’s already smartphones supporting it but it will also support PCs, tablets and other IoT products.POCO X3 NFC brings a 120Hz display and Snapdragon 732G SoC on a €200 budget
There’s been several leaks of POCO’s upcoming smartphone but now it’s finally official. The company had a livestream for their event today where they announced the new POCO X3 NFC. It features a 6.67in FHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate and a punch hole at the center which houses a 20MP selfie camera. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 732G, 6GB of RAM, either 64 or 128GB of storage and a crazy 5160 mAh battery. At the back you get a quad camera array on a… interesting module. It consists of a 64MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra wide with a 119 degree field of view, and of course my favorites, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. It will have an introductory price of €199 and later on it will be sold for €229 and it’s available globally as of tomorrow.Epic Games asks court to force Apple put Fortnite back on the App Store
Even if the lawsuit was still going on, we thought that the whole Epic vs Apple feud was over once Apple decided to terminate Epic Games but, apparently that’s not the case. Epic Games has reportedly filed a preliminary injunction that would put Fortnite back on the App Store, and would give them access to their developer account. The filing mentions that Epic Games challenged Apple because “it was the right thing to do” and they were “in a better position than other companies to be able to weather the storm”. They also described Apple as “monopolist” that maintain their position by “explicitly prohibiting competitive entry”. Finally, the company added that they could suffer “serious harm” if Fortnite isn’t back on the App Store claiming that 60% of their users have declined since they took the game out of the App Store. Again, these are some bold claims by Epic but, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be winning here, and 60% of the people probably just stopped playing the game and obviously not ditching their iPhone and iPads.We might not get a OnePlus 8T Pro this year, and it actually makes sense
OnePlus Clover was spotted on Geekbench with a different processor
We know that OnePlus compromised to giving us more Nord-branded devices in the future and now, a OnePlus “Clover” just went through Geekbench, rocking a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 and 4GB of RAM. This new OnePlus Clover should bring a 6.52in HD+ Display, 64GB of storage along with the Snapdragon 460 and the 4GB of RAM from the benchmark. We should also expect a crazy 6000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging, as well as a triple camera array that consists of a 13MP main sensor and two 2MP sensors. Moving on, last week we started getting some rumors of the OnePlus “T” model for this year and, yeah it looks like it’s going to be a single model. It’ll bring some internal changes like the upgrade to 120Hz, the Snapdragon 865+ and a better camera setup. We also know that it’s codenamed Kebab, but according to Max J on Twitter, Kebab 2 isn’t coming, meaning that we won’t be getting a OnePlus 8T Pro. This kinda makes sense considering that the only “Pro” upgrade this year would be the Snapdragon 865+ and last year, the 7T Pro was the McLaren Edition so we didn’t exactly get a stand-along 7T Pro.Story of the day:
6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 12 Pro could launch before other iPhone 12 models
We could see the new Apple Watch Series 6 and more Apple products soon
Finally, let’s talk about Apple and their crazy staggered and confusing launches for the rest of this year. Let’s start off with a new Supply Chain report that claims that ASE Tech is packaging core chips for at least two new Apple Watch models and they will also be adding this technology to the third gen AirPods. Earlier this week, a Mark Gurman report claimed that Apple would launch the Series 6 as well as a replacement for the Series 3 which will compete with lower-cost fitness trackers like Fitbits. Speaking of the Apple Watch, a Jon Prosser tweet from Saturday claims that Apple’s press release is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00AM EST. However, he does say that the date isn’t 100% locked in until the press is briefed. According to previous tweets from Prosser we should expect the new Apple Watch and an iPad, but Marc Gurman claims that this will only be used to announce the date for the official iPhone September Event, even if we’re expecting it on October. Finally, we’ve heard conflicting rumors over how we’d be getting this year’s iPhones. The most logical one seems to be, getting the regular 12’s first and the Pros later. However, a new report from DigiTimes goes back and reaffirms their old claims that we’d be getting the 6.1in iPhone 12 and the 6.1in 12 Pro first, and then we’d get the 5.4in 12 and the 6.7in 12 Pro Max. According to Prosser’s leaks we should expect these in October but, if Marc Gurman is right, we’ll be getting the official date tomorrow. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/pocketnowsub http://pocketnow.com Follow us: http://flipboard.com/@Pocketnow http://facebook.com/pocketnow http://twitter.com/pocketnow http://google.com/+pocketnowThe post Pocketnow Daily: iPhone 12 will be Apple’s WEIRDEST Launch EVER? (video) appeared first on Pocketnow.
Epic Games asks court to force Apple put Fortnite back on the App Store
The Epic Games-Apple feud over Fortnite has taken a new turn. Epic Games has filed for a preliminary injunction against Apple, asking the court to force Apple put back Fortnite on the App Store. “Today we ask the Court to stop Apple from retaliating against Epic for daring to challenge Apple’s misconduct while our antitrust case proceeds,” Epic Games said in a statement. And as expected, Epic Games is not pulling any stops and is calling Apple a ‘monopolist’ that forces developers into silence with its retaliatory stance.
To give you a quick background, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store when Epic Games introduced its own in-app payment system in the game, something that goes against the App Store policies. Epic followed it up with a lawsuit against Apple, and soon after, Apple terminated Epic Games’ developer account in what appears to be an ugly spat between the two companies, a feud in which Epic Games is trying to position itself as the savior for the whole developer community that is losing revenue opportunities due to strict Apple Store policies.
Apple is a monopolist and standing up to them is a necessary step to free consumers and developers from the unlawful restrictions Apple has imposed over app distribution and in-app payment processing on iOS. For too long, developers have not spoken out because they fear Apple’s retaliation. The company’s recent actions show that if you challenge Apple’s monopoly, Apple will attempt to destroy your business. We are committed to speaking up and securing lower cost, competitive access for all.
Epic Games
Apple, on the other hand, claims that the whole dispute is Epic Games’ own making, adding that the developer demanded a special deal from the company, something Apple didn’t accept. The Tim Cook-led company has also made it clear that Fortnite can return to the App Store if Epic Games agrees to the App Store policies and removes its own in-app payment system from the game.
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Fortnite gets ray-tracing and NVIDIA DLSS support to boost the visual appeal
Fortnite is currently at the centre of an ugly spat between Epic Games and Apple, which has resulted in the game getting kicked off the App Store. But there is finally some good news for players. Epic Games and NVIDIA have announced that Fortnite is getting support for real-time ray tracing and NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DSLL) technology to boost the game’s visuals.
The hit battle royale game is getting support for ray-traced reflections, shadows, global illumination and ambient occlusion, all four of which collectively enhance the details in a frame and improve the visual experience of playing Fortnite. NVIDIA’s AI-driven DLSS technology will boost the frame rates and also helps enhance the output resolution.
Additionally, Fortnite is also one of the first games to support the new NVIDIA Reflex tech that helps reduce system latency and improves responsiveness. Moreover, a special map called RTX Treasure Run has also been introduced in the Creative mode to highlight the benefits of ray-tracing. All the aforementioned advancements are coming to Fortnite’s Chapter 4 of the second season which is now live for players with a ton of Marvel content.
Source NVIDIA
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Pocketnow Daily: Apple vs Epic Games: Game Over! (video)
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Google Pixel 4 and more devices on sale today
Deals. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is currently $170 off, leaving the 128GB variant for $1380 shipped, and pretty much what you’re getting for free is a pair of Galaxy Buds+. The Google Pixel 4 is still $250 off, leaving the 64GB variant for $549 shipped. The 4 XL is now $100 off, which leaves the 64GB variant for $800. Finally, Amazon is having a sale on Razer peripherals, for example, the Viper Ultimate HyperSpeed which my amazing editor loves, is $20 off, leaving it at $130 shipped. We have more deals on Razer keyboards, mice and more.POCO X3 will feature a 64MP primary camera; samples revealed
Ever since POCO became an independent brand they have been on a roll when it comes to launching products. So far, we’ve gotten the POCO X2 and the F2 Pro, but recently the company announced that we would be getting another phone soon. Well, their global spokesman just went on Twitter and posted a picture of the X3 and a camera sample as well. POCO already confirmed that this phone will bring a 64MP main sensor on a quad camera array so this serves as more of a teaser. According to him both of these pictures were taken with the X3 and, they don’t look bad at all. Some other leaked specs for this phone include a 120Hz display with 240Hz touch sampling rate, a 5160 mAh battery and it would be powered by an unannounced Snapdragon 732 SoC. It will also sport a 20MP selfie shooter and we should expect this phone to launch on September 8th.LG’s Wing smartphone with a rotating secondary display appears in another leaked video
A couple of days ago we got a leaked video of the LG Wing fully working on a car and well, now we have another one. And don’t worry guys, this time there’s no multi-tasking while driving. On this new 10 second clip, the person on the passenger seat is playing Asphalt on the main display which is set horizontally, while getting driving directions on the vertical secondary display which is at the top this time. What’s interesting is that this time the phone seems to be set into a different position when compared to last time, meaning that there will be multiple ways to play around with both displays instead of a single position. We still don’t have any information on a launch date or specs as, we still believe that this is only a concept as of right now.A budget OnePlus ‘Clover’ with Snapdragon 460 SoC, 6000mAh battery is coming soon
OnePlus could be working on a smartwatch, might launch it by year-end
Back on Monday we covered how, the OnePlus proprietary source code hinted that we would be getting a new budget phone some time soon with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460. Now, a new report from Android Central claims that OnePlus is working on an “entry-level phone” that is powered by that same Snapdragon 460. The report mentions that the launch is imminent and that this device will be made available in global markets, including the US. Apparently the codename for this phone is “Clover” and it will feature a 6.52in 720p LCD display, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. It could also pack a 6000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging and a triple camera array at the back which would include a 13MP main sensor and two 2MP sensors. It is rumored to cost around $200. Moving on, it looks like the company is working on a smart watch as well. As a new OnePlus Watch was just certified in Singapore, revealing the model number. It’s most likely running WearOS, on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 and it will reportedly have a design similar to the OPPO Watch, so you know what that means.. We could get it along the OnePlus 8T.The prices of the iPhone 12 lineup will apparently go up
I guess the only way we can describe iPhone 12 rumors is by saying they’re cumbersome. It’s been a constant back and forth over the specs, the features and the prices. Well, according to a new report from TrendForce Analytics, it looks like we are getting some more expensive iPhones, even if they’re taking away accessories and cutting corners with other components. According to them, these iPhones might be $50-$100 more expensive than the 11 Series. They claim that the 5.4in iPhone 12 could start between $699-749, the 6.1in iPhone 12 Max between $799-849, the 6.1in 12 Pro will apparently start at $1049 instead of $999 and finally, the 6.7in 12 Pro Max would be priced between $1149-1199. Most of the added costs are due to the new 5G components as we know that the Pro variants will rock mmWave 5G which is causing some of the delays and according to this particular report, storage will start at 64GB unlike previous rumors that hinted to 128GB.Story of the day:
Apple has terminated Epic Games’ developer accounts
And finally the hottest news today have to do with Apple and Epic Games going thermo nuclear on each other. I guess they weren’t joking around. Just for context if you remember Fortnite has been banned from the App Store ever since August 13th when they violated the Terms of Service by adding an in-app payment option to their cosmetics store. Well, Apple gave them 14 days to fix this or they would be permanently banned from the Store. Well, that just happened. Apple just terminated Epics Developer Account, meaning that Fortnite isn’t the only game affected anymore. If you search for other titles like Infinity Blade or Battle Breakers they are completely gone. Epic announced the latest Fortnite Season yesterday, and technically you can still play but you’re only able to play with other Apple users, and you won’t get any new updates. Epic also sent emails to their users blaming Apple over the fact that they wouldn’t be able to play the new season and Apple simply responded by featuring PUBG in the App Store. As of right now, only Epics Main account has been terminated, and not Epic Games international which is responsible for the Unreal Engine thanks to the judges ruling as Apple was going after both. Apple already confirmed this on a statement saying that it was disappointing that the termination had to happen. Epic doesn’t have the ability to submit apps or updates any more and with how that lawsuit is going, it looks like that’s the it’s going to end. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/pocketnowsub http://pocketnow.com Follow us: http://flipboard.com/@Pocketnow http://facebook.com/pocketnow http://twitter.com/pocketnow http://google.com/+pocketnowThe post Pocketnow Daily: Apple vs Epic Games: Game Over! (video) appeared first on Pocketnow.
Apple has terminated Epic Games’ developer accounts
It seems that Apple wasn’t playing when it said that it would terminate Epic Games’ developer accounts if Fortnite continued to have direct payment options. Now, the threat has become action, and Epic has lost access to its Apple developer account.
Apple has taken the next step in its fight against Epic Games. A war that was started by Epic, when it decided to introduce a way for Fortnite players to avoid paying Apple’s 30% commission. Apple quickly removed the Fortnite App, and the legal problems started. Now, every Epic Game in the App Store has been removed, including titles like Battle Breakers and Infinity Blade Stickers.
“We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store. We have worked with the team at Epic Games for many years on their launches and releases. The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this situation. Epic has refused. Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight. We hope that we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately that is not possible today.”
Apple has only terminated the accounts of Epic Games, and not Epic International, as the court issued a temporary restraining order that will prevent Cupertino from closing every account related to Epic. Epic International is a separate account linked to Epic´s Unreal Engine, which is also used by third-party app developers.
On a positive note, Fortnite users who downloaded the app on their iPhone or iPad before this mess can still play the game, but they will miss out on the new Season 4 and future updates.
Source MacRumors
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Fortnite on Apple devices is losing cross-play support with the new season on August 27
Epic Games today confirmed that Fortnite on iPhones, iPads, and Macs won’t get the Chapter 2 Season 4 update which releases on August 27, while players on other platforms will enjoy the new content. With that schism created, we were wondering what would happen to cross-play support? Well, that ends as well with the arrival of the next content update.
The publisher has told The Verge that once the new season kicks off on August 27, cross-platform support for the game’s older version on Apple devices will end. What this means is users who have installed Fortnite on their iPhone, iPad or Mac will be able to play with each other, but not with players running the new version on Android and other compatible platforms.
For players, it means Fortnite is now split into two domains – one is the Apple ecosystem that won’t get access to new content introduced by Chapter 2 Season 4 of Fortnite and also loses out cross-play support, and the other one is where the new season kicks off without any impact and with cross-play intact. The rift was not totally unexpected, as Epic Games had been banned by Apple from submitting new updates for Fortnite and was told that it can get the game back on the App Store if the Epic’s own in-app payment system was removed.
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Epic Games confirms Fortnite’s next season won’t come to iPhones, iPads, and Macs
The Epic Games-Apple feud has put the future of Fortnite in jeopardy for players, especially when it comes to the arrival of new content. Today, Epic Games has confirmed that the next major content update that arrives with Season 4 of Fortnite’s Chapter 2 won’t be released on iPhones, iPads, and the Mac platform.
“Apple is blocking Fortnite updates and new installs on the App Store, and has said they will terminate our ability to develop Fortnite for Apple devices. As a result, Fortnite’s newly released Chapter 2 – Season 4 update (v14.00), will not release on iOS and macOS on August 27, ” Epic Games mentioned in a blog post that was updated on August 26.
What this means is users who have Fortnite installed on their iPhones, iPads, or Macs will be able to play the game, but they won’t receive the Chapter 2 Season 4 update that will be released on August 27. And that is unlikely to change, As Apple has made it clear that Fortnite will only be accepted back on the App Store when Epic Games removes its own in-app payment option.
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Apple says Fortnite can return to App Store if Epic takes a step back
The first outcome of the legal battle between Apple and Epic Games has concluded with a tie. Epic Games asked for a restraining order to prevent Apple from terminating Epic’s developer accounts on August 28. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, has decided not to require Apple to allow Fortnite on the App Store, but Apple won’t be able to terminate all of Epic’s developer accounts.
Epic Games has managed to find limited success in the latest chapter of the Apple VS Epic Games story. The court decided to give Apple a restraining order that will prevent Apple from terminating developer accounts relating to Epic International, including Unreal Engine. Unfortunately, Apple will be able to end the Epic Games developer account, and it seems that the Fortnite app will not be allowed back on the App Store anytime soon.
According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple seems to be happy with this decision, as it expresses that it’s ready to welcome Fortnite back if Epic Games decides to remove the direct payment option and return to the status quo.
“We thank the court for recognizing that Epic’s problem is entirely self-inflicted and is in their power to resolve. Our very first priority is making sure App Store users have a great experience in a safe and trusted environment, including iPhone users who play Fortnite and who are looking forward to the game’s next season.
“We agree with Judge Gonzalez-Rogers that ‘the sensible way to proceed’ is for Epic to comply with the App Store guidelines and continue to operate while the case proceeds. If Epic takes the steps the judge has recommended, we will gladly welcome Fortnite back onto iOS. We look forward to making our case to the court in September.”
Apple’s response to the Judge’s temporary order pic.twitter.com/BXwvWcgiCB
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 25, 2020
Now, Epic’s lawyer claimed that Epic Games can’t go back into an anticompetitive contract, so only time will tell if iOS users will be able to enjoy the next season of Fortnite that starts in just a couple of days.
Source MacRumors
Via Bloomberg
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Microsoft is supporting Epic Games against Apple
Epic Games is now being supported by Microsoft, as the company believes that Apple should restrict Epic’s access to developer tools on iOS and Mac.
The latest chapter in the Apple VS Epic Games saga now features Microsoft. The software and tech giant believes that Apple’s actions would damage a “critical technology” form many game creators. This is because Epic’s Unreal Engine is a tool used by several developers and studios around the planet to build games, VR experiences, and special effects in TV shows and movies.
Today we filed a statement in support of Epic's request to keep access to the Apple SDK for its Unreal Engine. Ensuring that Epic has access to the latest Apple technology is the right thing for gamer developers & gamers https://t.co/72bLdDkvUx
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) August 23, 2020
“Denying Epic access to Apple’s SDK and other development tools will prevent Epic from supporting Unreal Engine on iOS and macOS, and will place Unreal Engine and those game creators that have built, are building, and may build games on it at a substantial disadvantage.
“(a)Developing a game using different game engines for different platforms may be prohibitively expensive and difficult. In any event, it is not as cost-effective as using a game engine that supports different platforms.
“(b)As a result, game creators, including Microsoft, that are preparing to develop a game targeted at multiple platforms generally choose game engines based both on the functionality they provide as well as their ability to support development for those platforms.
“(c)If Unreal Engine cannot support games for iOS or macOS, Microsoft would be required to choose between abandoning its customers and potential customers on the iOS and macOS platforms or choosing a different game engine when preparing to develop new games.”
This whole mess started when Epic Games introduced a “discount” that allowed users to complete in-game purchases directly from the Epic Store, instead of having to pay Apple its 30 percent cut. Apple then took down the app from its Play Store and has also threatened to remove Epic’s access to developer tools. Epic is taking legal actions to stop Apple’s “monopoly,” but only time will tell how this story will end. If you want to read Microsoft’s complete statement on the matter, follow this link.
Source BBC
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