Apple has terminated Epic Games‘ developer account, a move that further escalates the ongoing feud between tech giant and the video game developer. Epic informed about the action in a blog on Wednesday and added that it now cannot develop the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union.
“This is a serious violation of the DMA (Digital Markets Act) and shows Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices,” Epic Games said in the blog. “They are undermining our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices,” it added.
Apple has terminated our developer account and now we cannot develop the Epic Games Store for iOS.
This is a serious violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act. We will continue to fight to get back on iOS!https://t.co/BmqFxG26ul
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) March 6, 2024
The action is rather surprising as last month Apple approved Epic Games Sweden AB developer account, which would have allowed the gaming company to bring back its famous game Fortnite to iOS in the European Union through DMA. However, Apple’s recent decision signals a sharp reversal, emphasizing the intense battle over market dominance and control within the iOS ecosystem. Epic Games announced the account termination and pointed to a series of communications with Apple, including a letter from the iPhone maker’s lawyers as evidence of this abrupt policy shift.
The controversy centers around Apple’s allegations that Epic Games has repeatedly violated their agreements, with particular focus on Epic’s public criticism of Apple’s implementation of the DMA and its fees. Apple’s stance is supported by a 2021 judgment, granting the company the right to terminate any of Epic Games’ related accounts at its discretion a decision underscored by Epic’s past actions, including the deliberate violation of Apple’s payment system rules.
Meanwhile, the termination has broader implications, especially in light of the DMA’s goal to foster competition and allow third-party app stores on platforms like iOS. Epic Games’ efforts to launch its app store in Europe, intended to distribute Fortnite and other games, have been thwarted, It has further raised questions about Apple’s commitment to compliance with EU’s new antitrust regulations.
