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The Video Game Corporate War: Epic Games vs Apple and Google

Infinitron

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Apple counter sues Epic. :shredder:

https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/8/2...breach-of-contract-lawsuit-fortnite-app-store

Apple will seek damages from Epic Games for breach of App Store contract
A new front in the ongoing Fortnite fight

Apple will seek damages against Epic Games for allegedly breaching its contract with the iOS App Store, in a new escalation of the two companies’ ongoing legal fight. The move came in a filing entered on Tuesday, alongside counterclaims for unjust enrichment and tortious interference with Apple’s relationship with its customers.

“Epic’s flagrant disregard for its contractual commitments and other misconduct has caused significant harm to Apple,” the filing reads. “Left unchecked, Epic’s conduct threatens the very existence of the iOS ecosystem and its tremendous value to consumers.”

Epic Games sued Apple in August, after the company’s hit game Fortnite was removed from the iOS App Store over the implementation of an unauthorized payment system. The complaint, filed August 13th, alleges that Apple is violating antitrust law, using its total control over iOS to extract a commission for all software that passes through the App Store.

Apple’s filing comes in response to an exhaustive motion for a preliminary injunction, filed by Epic over the weekend. Tuesday’s filing lays out a range of defenses against that motion. Among other claims, Apple maintains there were legitimate business justifications for all of the actions it undertook, which would undercut a broader antitrust claim. “At all times, [Apple’s] conduct was reasonable and ... its actions were undertaken in good faith to advance legitimate business interests and had the effect of promoting, encouraging, and increasing competition,” the complaint reads.

Apple declined to comment beyond the filing.

A recent ruling on a temporary restraining order made it unlikely Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store in the immediate future. The same ruling enjoined Apple from taking additional action against another developer account used by Epic to support the Unreal Engine.

Epic’s reply to Apple’s filing is due by September 18th, ahead of a full hearing on September 28th.
 
Unwanted

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When you're so much of a cunt you make Apple look like the good guys

tim_sweeney_m.jpg
 

Alphons

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From Apple's introductory statement:

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’s sales and charging consumers up to $99.99 for bundles of “V-Bucks.”
 

DalekFlay

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I truly believe Sweeney does seem himself as the good guy trying to change the industry for the better. That doesn't mean he's not a deluded douchebag up his own ass, but I do think he sees himself that way. Mocking him as a Robin Hood will just enrage him further I'd guess.
 

V_K

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So the most recent Apple filing has some interesting tidbits, namely:
But the opposition brief also adds new details. Apple suggests, for example, that Epic has started this legal battle in part to draw attention to a flagging franchise:

“For reasons having nothing to do with Epic’s claims against Apple, Fortnite’s popularity is on the wane. By July 2020, interest in Fortnite had decreased by nearly 70% as compared to October 2019. This lawsuit (and the front-page headlines it has generated) appears to be part of a marketing campaign designed to reinvigorate interest in Fortnite.”

Elsewhere, Apple notes that iOS is not a big part of Fortnite’s revenue. It quotes disclosures from Epic that only 10 percent of Fortnite consumers play regularly on the iPhone, and claims that Epic has said Apple is the “smallest piece of the pie’” when it comes to revenue. Again, the implication is that Epic is not suffering “irreparable harm” (as the company has claimed in its own filings) but is kicking up a fuss for other, self-interested reasons.

In parallel with this argument, Apple says Epic’s claim that it’s suffered “reputational harm” from being booted off the App Store is also misleading. The iPhone maker says Epic’s “pre-planned media blitz” shows that it is, in fact, welcoming attention created by this case:

“If Epic were truly concerned that it would suffer reputational injury from this dispute, it would not be engaging in these elaborate efforts to publicize it. From all appearances (including the #freefortnite campaign), Epic thinks its conduct here will engender goodwill, boost its reputation, and drive users to Fortnite, not the opposite. That is not harm.”
 

RobotSquirrel

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I truly believe Sweeney does seem himself as the good guy trying to change the industry for the better

Only a villain would hold a green rabbit to ransom for 20+ years.
Only a villain would bait us with a sequel to a particular tournament game only to then end up scrapping it in favour of Chinese flavoured Zoomer Spyware and then push his entire team into unheard of levels of tyrannical crunch. These Battlepass skins have to be on the streets of Shanghai by tonight damn it! *cracks whip*

I have a rule with the industry. Never trust a person who's paygrade is over US$100,000. If it can afford to buy a suit it probably is a suit.

People like to go all tribalism when it comes to these sorts of lawsuits but the reality is that you have two massive mega-corporations beating each other over the head because one cartel didn't receive its bribe for the month so its angry at the other cartel for ruining their racket.
 

DalekFlay

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I think it's cynical to say no one ever sees themselves as the moral hero doing the right thing. That doesn't mean they ARE doing the right thing, but they can absolutely see themselves that way. Sweeney comes across to me as a true believer in himself... but, who knows really.
 

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https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/...ility-to-offer-fortnite-save-the-world-on-mac

APPLE ENDING FORTNITE SAVE THE WORLD UPDATES FOR MAC

Apple is preventing Epic from signing games and patches for distribution on Mac, which ends our ability to develop and offer Fortnite: Save the World for the platform. Specifically, our upcoming v14.20 release will cause bugs for players on v13.40, resulting in a very poor experience. Since we are no longer able to sign updates and release fixes for these issues, beginning September 23, 2020, Fortnite: Save the World will no longer be playable on macOS.

We are issuing a refund for all players who purchased any Save the World Founder’s or Starter Packs (including Upgrades) and played Save the World on macOS between September 17, 2019 and September 17, 2020. Additionally, any purchased V-Bucks spent on Llamas on macOS in this period will also be refunded. As of today, September 17, 2020, Save the World Starter Packs will no longer be available for purchase on macOS.

Please note: It may take up until October 2, 2020 to receive the refund in your bank account.

There’s no action needed on your part to receive the refund and you will retain any previously purchased V-Bucks and items on your account. Players will still be able to play Save the World on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, and thanks to cross-progression, your Heroes, Schematics and everything else in your Homebase will automatically transfer across supported platforms.

Fortnite: Battle Royale remains playable for Mac users at this time on the v13.40 build, but is no longer receiving version updates due to Apple’s actions. The latest version of Fortnite: Battle Royale is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, GeForce Now, and on Android through both the Epic Games App at epicgames.com and the Samsung Galaxy Store.

For more details on Apple’s decision to block Fortnite, read our #FreeFortnite blog post and #FreeFortnite FAQ.
 

BlackAdderBG

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Epic are like elephant in a glass shop with their complaint. With their ridiculous actions the legit problems people have with Apple are bundled up and made to look retarded. Anyone sane should distance themselves from this lawsuit.
 

Bohrain

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I wouldn't mind if both Apple and Epic got hit by antimonopoly laws for misusing monopolistic power given by their large market share. Never going to happen though.
 

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I think it's cynical to say no one ever sees themselves as the moral hero doing the right thing. That doesn't mean they ARE doing the right thing, but they can absolutely see themselves that way. Sweeney comes across to me as a true believer in himself... but, who knows really.

I used to believe Sweeney's whole shtick was just a PR thing, but after seeing all the emails in the apple court docs, I think he really is that deluded.

Seems quite a common thing with billionaire types. Take someone with an already inflated ego and give them lots of money and presence and you create unstable monsters.
 

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Epic goes full socialism. :lol:

Spotify is uniting a number of Apple’s powerful critics under a single banner – the ‘Coalition for App Fairness.’
The group says it aims to create a level playing field for app businesses and give people freedom of choice on their devices. Founding members of the new Coalition include Spotify, Epic Games, Basecamp, Match Group, Tile, Blix, and Deezer. It’s a coordinated effort to protest Apple’s current App Store rules.

One immediate goal of the group is to get smaller developers to join the Coalition, to give it more weight. But app developers and companies of any size are welcome to join the new Coalition. The group cites three main issues that should be addressed for app fairness on Apple devices.

Unsurprisingly, Apple’s 30% ‘Apple Tax’ is the chief point of contention for Coalition members, but there are other issues.
Another issue highlighted includes the lack of competitive options for app distribution on iOS devices. Android doesn’t suffer from the same problem because Google allows apps to be installed outside of the Play Store on Android.

Finally, Coalition members claim that Apple uses its platform control to favor its own apps. Spotify and Tile specifically have spoken about this on both the hardware and software side of things. For example, Apple favors Apple Music and has introduced AirTags – a direct hardware competitor to Tile.

Separately, Epic Games is waging an all-out war against Apple’s removal of Fortnite from iOS devices after it violated terms. (So far the courts appear to agree with Apple’s assessment that Epic’s predicament is of its own making.)


Members of the Coalition are proposing a code of conduct for Apple and other platform owners to accept. The goals are ambitious, and it’s unlikely Apple will agree to any of them since it concedes too much.

The Coalition says it should not be forced to use an exclusive App Store. It also demands that developers not be forced to pay “unfair, unreasonable or discriminatory fees or revenue shares.”

Members of the Coalition are hoping they’ll be able to attract enough smaller developers to form a united front. Out of all the Coalition members, only Epic Games is no longer listed on iOS. With apps from Spotify, Match, and Basecamp still on the platform, does the message mean much?
EU courts and antitrust regulators will likely be called upon to decide what’s a fair revenue percentage. But if Coalition members get their wish, they could establish their own App Stores on iOS. In fact, that’s what Epic is pushing for when it comes to Fortnite.
 

V_K

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A streaming service that has the lowest - literally the lowest - payouts to artists of them all, a holding that's bought off every competing dating website, and a game store that pays developers to keep their game off a competitor. Such noble knights of fairness and justice.
 

Gerrard

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Unfortunately for them, the typical Apple user's programming is much more resilient than a random white liberal's.
 

Gastrick

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Is he hurting Google? Is he hurting Apple?
If so, he's a great guy in my books, an amazing guy.
If not, then he isn't worth associating with.
 

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https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-08-epic-games-vs-apple-trial-set-for-may-2021

Epic Games vs Apple trial set for May 2021
It's uncertain at this stage whether the trial will be conducted in person or virtually

The antitrust trial opposing Epic Games and Apple is set to begin on May 3, 2021.

According to a document filed on October 6, US District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers also set a joint pretrial conference statement for April 9. The pretrial conference will then kickstart on April 21, before the bench trial starting on May 3.

At this stage, it is not known whether the trial will be conducted in person or virtually, with the document noting it could also be "some combination" of the two.

The next step in the dispute will be the case management conference on October 19, 2020. Before then, the parties will have to "formulate recommendations to streamline trial issues and briefing, including whether briefing on certain legal issues should be staged in advance of the trial."

Last week, Epic Games and Apple both requested for their ongoing legal battle to be decided by a judge, rather than a jury.

The dispute between the two companies started in August when Epic Games incentivised users to use direct payment in Fortnite to get permanent discounts, in an attempt to avoid Apple's platform fees. This led Apple to remove the game from the App Store. Soon after, Epic filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple.

A similar case is ongoing with Google, which also removed Fortnite from its Play store. However, the tech giant requested the court to not connect it to the Apple vs Epic case.



https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-...ore-fairness-caf-interoperability-principles/

10 app store principles to promote choice, fairness and innovation

microsoft-store-header.jpg


For software developers, app stores have become a critical gateway to some of the world’s most popular digital platforms. We and others have raised questions and, at times, expressed concerns about app stores on other digital platforms. However, we recognize that we should practice what we preach. So, today, we are adopting 10 principles – building on the ideas and work of the Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) – to promote choice, ensure fairness and promote innovation on Windows 10, our most popular platform, and our own Microsoft Store on Windows 10:
  1. Developers will have the freedom to choose whether to distribute their apps for Windows through our app store. We will not block competing app stores on Windows.
  2. We will not block an app from Windows based on a developer’s business model or how it delivers content and services, including whether content is installed on a device or streamed from the cloud.
  3. We will not block an app from Windows based on a developer’s choice of which payment system to use for processing purchases made in its app.
  4. We will give developers timely access to information about the interoperability interfaces we use on Windows, as set forth in our Interoperability Principles.
  5. Every developer will have access to our app store as long as it meets objective standards and requirements, including those for security, privacy, quality, content and digital safety.
  6. Our app store will charge reasonable fees that reflect the competition we face from other app stores on Windows and will not force a developer to sell within its app anything it doesn’t want to sell.
  7. Our app store will not prevent developers from communicating directly with their users through their apps for legitimate business purposes.
  8. Our app store will hold our own apps to the same standards to which it holds competing apps.
  9. Microsoft will not use any non-public information or data from its app store about a developer’s app to compete with it.
  10. Our app store will be transparent about its rules and policies and opportunities for promotion and marketing, apply these consistently and objectively, provide notice of changes and make available a fair process to resolve disputes.
We will review these principles from time to time to determine whether we should add to or change them to reflect feedback as well as technology, business or regulatory developments.

How these principles will work.


Windows 10 is an open platform. Unlike some other popular digital platforms, developers are free to choose how they distribute their apps. The Microsoft Store is one way. We believe that it provides significant benefits to consumers and to developers by ensuring that the available apps meet strong privacy, security and safety standards, while making them easier to find and providing additional tools and services so developers can focus on development.

But there are other popular and competitive alternatives on Windows 10. Third-party app stores, such as those from Steam and Epic, are available for Windows and offer developers different pricing (or revenue share) options, standards, requirements and features. And developers can also easily choose to distribute their apps on their own terms directly over the internet without restrictions. The first four principles are designed to preserve this freedom of choice, and the robust competition and innovation that it enables on Windows 10.

For developers who do choose to use the Microsoft Store, we want to make sure they know that they will be held to the same objective standards as others, will face reasonable, competitive fees that reflect the value they receive, and can be confident we will not use the Microsoft Store to tilt the playing field to our advantage. The remaining principles are aimed at providing that assurance. For example, as an app developer, we have been frustrated at times by other app stores that require us to sell services in our apps even when our users don’t expect or want them and we cannot do so profitably. So, principle No. 6 provides developers who choose to use the Microsoft Store with the flexibility to decide what to sell in their apps. Over the next several months, we will do the work needed to close any gaps between the current rules and policies in our Microsoft Store and the aspirations set out in these principles.

We also operate a store on the Xbox console. It’s reasonable to ask why we are not also applying these principles to that Xbox store today. Game consoles are specialized devices optimized for a particular use. Though well-loved by their fans, they are vastly outnumbered in the marketplace by PCs and phones. And the business model for game consoles is very different to the ecosystem around PCs or phones. Console makers such as Microsoft invest significantly in developing dedicated console hardware but sell them below cost or at very low margins to create a market that game developers and publishers can benefit from. Given these fundamental differences in the significance of the platform and the business model, we have more work to do to establish the right set of principles for game consoles.

What’s next?


We think it is important to have a public discussion about how to fairly balance the interests of software developers and platform owners and the best path forward for app stores on our most popular platforms. Apps play an important role in the daily lives of billions of consumers and help to enable the modern digital economy for millions of businesses. But the innovation that drives the app economy also needs healthy and vibrant digital platforms. We know that regulators and policymakers are reviewing these issues and considering legal reforms to promote competition and innovation in digital markets. We think the CAF principles, and our implementation of them, can serve as productive examples. Applying these principles to the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 is a first step and we look forward to feedback from developers and the broader community.
 

ultimanecat

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The judge hearing the case has decided to keep the terms of the temporary restraining order and convert them into a preliminary injunction, effectively saying that Epic hasn’t shown that it has a very strong case so far. So, at no point during litigation can Epic keep Fortnight on the store without paying up to Apple, and Apple can’t fuck over Unreal devs for being related to Epic.

Of note also:
-The judge has stated that Epic has “undermined its credibility with [the] court” by arguing that adding in their own payment option was simply a “hotfix” that Apple overreacted to, and not deceptive.
-Since Microsoft decided to stick their dick in a bit too, it’s interesting that the judge has also said that she’s having trouble figuring out why Epic isn’t suing Nintendo, Sony, or MS. Epic’s reasoning that iOS is different from consoles because Apple already makes enough money on the sale of the phone/tablet alone isn’t persuasive and doesn’t seem to make a difference under the law. The judge has basically clued in that Epic will need to seriously answer this question when the full trial begins, and also perhaps hinted to MS that it may not be helping things by publicly siding with Epic.
 

Infinitron

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https://www.videogameschronicle.com...amifications-for-sony-nintendo-and-microsoft/

Judge says Epic’s Apple lawsuit could have ‘serious ramifications’ for Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft
THE LEGAL BATTLE COULD IMPACT CONSOLE PLATFORMS’ SIMILAR “WALLED GARDENS” TO IOS

IMG_5724-scaled-e1587566536475-320x190.jpg

A final decision in Epic’s legal battle with Apple could have “significant and serious ramifications” for Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft and their video game platforms.

That’s according to Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, who said on Friday that the court would need to be better informed before ruling over the dispute against Apple’s 30 percent App Store fees, which are the same as those charged on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

The Fortnite lawsuit began in August after Epic moved to circumvent Apple’s platform fees with a new direct payment option, leading to Fortnite’s removal from the App Store.

Epic has called the 30 percent payment fees charged by Apple exorbitant and excessive compared to its operating costs. Because the iPhone firm does not allow any competing stores on its iOS platform and thus controls the release of apps on its devices, Epic alleges it’s running a “tech monopoly”.

However, in the latest court documents published on Friday, Judge Rogers noted that Apple’s “walled garden” was not all that distinct from console platforms such as PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, which charge developers the same 30 percent fee on microtransaction sales and don’t allow rival stores.


Epic’s legal battle with Apple could have “serious ramifications” for consoles, a Judge said.

Epic has argued that the 30 percent fee on consoles is justified by the platform holders’ significant investment in hardware, which is often sold at a loss. In comparison, mobile devices are open platforms and cost far less to operate, it’s said.

However, Judge Rogers said on Friday that this distinction was without legal precedent.

“Indeed, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all operate similar walled gardens or closed platform models as Apple, whereby the hardware, operating system, digital marketplace, and IAPs are all exclusive to the platform owner,” the Judge said.

Judge Rogers also said the court would need to further examine any crossover mobile gaming has with platforms such as Nintendo Switch, which can also be played portably.

Epic Games’ avers that the iOS platform is unique from other gaming devices,” the Judge added. “Specifically, Epic Games argues that gaming consoles and computers require electrical outlets and separate screens and thus lack capacity for mobile play, which demands portable, battery operated, and cellularly connected devices with built-in screens.

“Yet, Epic Games repeatedly ignored discussion of gaming laptops, tablets, and the Nintendo Switch, all of which can be played in a mobile fashion. These devices could have significant overlap with the iOS platform in terms of the ultimate consumer.

“Again, however, at this stage, the record does not contain sufficient information to determine whether such other devices are economic substitutes or are merely complimentary to iOS devices.”


Console platforms also take a 30 percent cut of microtransactions.

The Judge concluded that “a final decision should be better informed regarding the impact of the walled garden model given the potential for significant and serious ramifications for Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft and their video game platforms.”

Epic has seemingly enjoyed a far better relationship with the console platform holders in recent months. Microsoft has publicly backed Epic in its legal battle, while in July Sony acquired a $250m stake in the company.

On Friday, Judge Rogers denied a request from Epic to force Apple to reinstate Fortnite to the App Store before the result of its lawsuit. However, the Judge did agree to make a restraining order blocking Apple from removing Unreal Engine support permanent.

This means Fortnite will likely not be reinstated to the App Store in the near future, but developers creating games using Unreal Engine will be protected.

Judge Rogers has suggested that the case could go to jury trail as early as July 2021.
 

BlackAdderBG

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Epic is losing so hard and their arguments are so retarded that I start to think they are in cahoots with Apple to make them look good for other more legitimate lawsuits. :philosoraptor:
 

Infinitron

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Opening a new front in Australia: https://www.smh.com.au/technology/f...legal-fight-to-australia-20201117-p56f8v.html

Fortnite's Epic Games brings Apple legal fight to Australia

Fortnite
-maker Epic Games has initiated legal proceedings against Apple in Australia's Federal Court in a significant escalation of a bitter dispute over the commissions charged in the iPhone giant's App Store.

Epic has long complained that the 30 per cent cut Apple takes on all payments made through its platform is too high. In August Fortnite, which brought in revenues of $US1.8 billion ($2.5 billion) in 2019, was removed from Apple's iPhone App Store when Epic insisted on including its own direct payment option at a 20 per cent discount. Epic subsequently sued Apple in California.

Now in its Australian filing, Epic claims Apple is breaching Australian consumer law by preventing competition in its iPhone ecosystem for payment processing and app downloads.

603342f9b744b60dd793354f022f87ddeaf048c7

Fortnite's Season 4 includes a crossover with Disney's Marvel characters, but it's not available on iPhone.

Sharemarket analysts view the legal dispute as an important test case for Apple's services and digital payments revenue, which have become an important driver of the $US2 trillion ($2.7 trillion) company's business.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that while smartphone app stores were a novelty 12 years ago, and a 70 per cent take was a good deal for developers, a huge chunk of the world's economy would soon be processed through mobile platforms and change was sorely needed.

"Apple has said they have the legal right to do whatever the hell they want because they make the devices. Under Apple's legal theory they could charge 90 per cent. The very notion that they're standing on is antithetical to free markets and competition," he said.

"Apple is essentially using its control of the hardware to force all commerce to go through them, against the will of developers and also against the will of consumers. What's happening in the tech industry is really destructive. It needs to change rather fast."

766fb4a1ce36647cfc77763b6ecf48adba3d155b

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says Apple's App Store practices breach Australian concumer law.

Epic – which in addition to publishing games operates a storefront on PC and makes the popular 3D creation tool Unreal Engine – is not seeking damages but wants to see mobile platforms opened up to alternative stores and payment processing methods, on equal terms for all developers, forcing Apple to compete in a free market.

Epic chose to expand its litigation in Australia specifically, Mr Sweeney said, because of its strong legal system and regulatory framework.

"It's another set of laws under which Apple's practices are clearly in violation. And another chance to get this issue really throughly examined," he said. "And also there's a really big and growing mobile software industry in Australia, a lot of great game developers, and they all suffer dearly by Apple and Google's 30 per cent tax. I doubt there's a single developer in Australia who makes more profit from their own games then Apple and Google make from their games."

In a statement, Apple defended the App Store commission structure and indicated it would vigorously defend its position. "Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, growing into a multibillion dollar business that reaches millions of iOS customers around the world, including Australia," it said.

"In ways a judge has described as deceptive and clandestine, Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines that apply equally to every developer and protect customers. Their reckless behaviour made pawns of customers, and we look forward to making this clear to Australian courts.”

In the US Epic has also made complaints against Google, which it says engages in similar anti-competitive behaviour by creating friction on Android devices when users choose to use alternatives to its own Play Store. In Australia the complaint is focused on Apple, but notes the duopoly of smartphone ecosystems means developers and consumers have no material way to avoid the issue.

"You have two companies that together are dominating commerce, and extracting taxes that are a factor of 10 higher than free market competitive payment processing services like MasterCard and Visa," Mr Sweeney said.

Since the inital conflict in August, Epic has been leveraging Fortnite's popularity to desseminate campaigns likening Apple to the dystopian regime in George Orwell's 1984. Mr Sweeney, who founded Epic off the back of games he wrote himself on an Apple II and disseminated via floppy discs, said the younger generation deserved the same opportunities and freedoms he had in 1991.

While Mr Sweeney praised Apple's mobile operating system as the most secure ever for consumers, he said the company's claims that it opposed a free market on its devices because of the risks to users' data privacy were "total baloney".

"It's the permissions based security model that keeps an app from siphoning your data away without your permission, and that will remain completely robust in the presence of store competition," he said.

"That FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) that Apple tries to create really irks me. Apple's out telling everybody that their platform would be ruined and be insecure if other stores were allowed to compete with their store, and that's complete BS. Apple programmers know that's not true."

Mr Sweeney says he's keen for Fortnite to return to iPhones as soon as possible, but that Epic was totally committed to letting users pay directly at a lower rate.

"We feel that if we don't do that, then we're really at that point colluding with Apple to protect their monopoly on software distribution," he said.
 

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