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

[V_K]

The first round concludes in a tie: Apple is ordered to reinstate Epic's developer account but the Fortnite ban holds.

 

[BlackAdderBG]

It's a win for Apple for sure. Apple could still sever Epic Int.'s (i.e. Unreal) participation in Apple developer program with one month notice, as they can do that without reason per the contract. Just can't be for reasons connected to Fortnite's IAP.

 

[V_K]

Well, it's a preliminary ruling on an emergency injunction only, the real session on the ban(s) will come in a month and it may still swing either way. But Epic was complaining that just the threat of UE support being terminated has made some devs jump ship, so their bottom line has already been hurt, just not irreparably.

 

[rusty_shackleford]

as they can do that without reason per the contract.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/2/2-302

There's a reason the judge immediately told apple to stop being retarded

 

[BlackAdderBG]

as they can do that without reason per the contract.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/2/2-302

There's a reason the judge immediately told apple to stop being retarded

"10. Term and Termination.Apple may terminate or suspend you as a registered Apple Developer at any time in Apple’s sole discretion. If Apple terminates you as a registered Apple Developer, Apple reserves the right to deny your reapplication at any time in Apple’s sole discretion. You may terminate your participation as a registered Apple Developer at any time, for any reason, by notifying Apple in writing of your intent to do so."

We can terminate whenever we want for whatever reason and you can do the same. How is that unconscionable clause?

 

[Metro]

https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/2/2-302

There's a reason the judge immediately told apple to stop being retarded

Cites the Uniform Commercial Code without knowing that it's not actually law but is rather a template a state legislature can use to write their own law. And even assuming a given state adopts it, this is not 'unconscionable.' Rusty, you are the ultimate internet-age tweenager who thinks he's intelligent because he runs a cursory Google search and links to shit he has absolutely no understanding. It would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.

 

[DeepOcean]

The year is 2020, after a pandemic almost turned the whole world on zombie Karens, megacorporations are at the brink of war, CEO Tim Sweeney from a small corporation, Epic corporation, after being blocked, by the huge american megacorp, Apple, on his ambitious plan to make more money from a gambling scheme that prey on children, a new kind of virtual brainwashing drug that makes parents to throw money at him to shut up their kids named FortNite decides to appeal to the Corporate Court on an action against Apple.

Apple decides to retaliate and blocks Epic from the children, citing on the corporate war that the corporation was betrayed by Epic as both were partners into exploiting the children before and that this new behavior from Epic makes no sense. Epic decides to launch a public relations war with Apple, appealing to all the brainwashed children in the world to go pester their parents because they want their drug, at same time, Epic claims is helping all the smaller corporations to fight against the oppressive megacorps.

IS Tim Sweeney an hipocrite that preys on the impulsiveness of children and their parents bad parenting or is he a fighter against the megacorp oppression?While in the shadows, a secret war is being waged, Apple is afraid Tim Sweeney is just the front man and that a much more powerful player is on the shadows scheming, Tencent corporation.

 

[DalekFlay]

Apple can hire better shadowrunners.

 

[deuxhero]

I want them to destroy eachother

 

[V_K]

Probably not gonna happen, but I think a realistic good outcome would be that Apple is forced to lower its cut, while Epic loses its cash cow as Fortnite dies because of AppStore ban.

 

[lukaszek]

deterministic system > RNG

 

[Infinitron]

Mean girls: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/...oper-account-blocking-future-fortnite-updates

Apple terminates Epic Games' App Store developer account, blocking future Fortnite updates
"We hope that we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately, that is not possible today."

Apple has terminated Epic Games' App Store developer account.

It's the latest development in the two megacorps' public spat that ignited when Apple blocked Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games circumvented Apple and Google's system to retain 100% of the funds generated by its in-app microstransactions. Microsoft also filed a statement in support of Epic and Unreal Engine.

Terminating the account prevents the developer from updating its published games or submitting new ones. It comes just days after Epic snuck one sneaky update in to add the evil Tart Tycoon character seen in the game's #FreeFortnite video.

"We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store," Apple said in a statement to Bloomberg. "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."

Looking ahead, this means you can't download Fortnite on any iOS device, even if you've downloaded it before, nor any other of Epic Games' mobile offerings. It does not, however, affect its secondary developer account for Unreal Engine.

Fortnite is thought to have been downloaded around 160 million times via the App Store, generating $1.2 billion since it launched in 2012. According to industry analysts Sensor Tower, Apple's cut was around $360 million (£269m).

 

[Infinitron]

lol:

 

[BlackAdderBG]

He wanted to say Epic should had put anti-Trump message , but stopped himself half way realizing it's video games ad and displaying his Trump derangement syndrome would look even more apparent.

 

[RobotSquirrel]

Riddley hasn't made a decent film in a long time.

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/...apples-retaliation-against-the-fortnite-maker

Epic calls on court to stop Apple's "retaliation" against the Fortnite maker

Epic has called on a court to stop what it described as Apple's "retaliation" against the Fortnite maker.

The game company has asked for an injunction to restore battle royale game Fortnite to the App Store as Epic's antitrust case against the iPhone maker proceeds.

Late in August, Apple terminated Epic's App Store developer account, blocking future Fortnite updates. It was the latest development in the two megacorps' public spat that ignited when Apple blocked Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games circumvented Apple and Google's built-in payment systems, which charge commissions of 30 per cent.

"Today we asked the Court to stop Apple's retaliation against Epic for daring to challenge its unlawful restrictions while our antitrust case proceeds," Epic said. "This is a necessary step to free consumers and developers from Apple's costly, anti-competitive control."

Epic had launched a #FreeFortnite social media campaign in a bid to apply pressure to Apple. But late on Friday it took the next step by filing for a preliminary injunction that would put Fortnite back on the App Store and restore its developer account.

In the filing, Epic argues it will suffer "irreparable harm" in the absence of a preliminary injunction. It said daily active users on iOS have declined by over 60 per cent since Fortnite was pulled from the App Store. According to the filing, iOS is the biggest platform for Fortnite, with an incredible 116 million registered users - just shy of a third of the 350 million registered users Fortnite has in total. Apparently 63 per cent of Fortnite users on iOS access Fortnite only on iOS, too. For them, perhaps iOS is the only way to play.

Epic has some strong words in its filing, saying it's worried it will never see the iOS users it's already lost ever again. Epic insists the Fortnite community has been torn apart (Fortnite's newly released Chapter 2 - Season 4 update did not release on iOS and macOS last month), and some of its other games have been caught in the crossfire. Shadow Complex Remastered, for example, has also been removed from the Mac App Store as a result of Apple's termination of Epic's developer account.

Epic goes on to claim Apple has threatened to block any attempt to apply for a new developer account for at least a year. "The removal of Fortnite from iOS also substantially impedes a major Epic initiative - evolving Fortnite into a full-fledged 'metaverse', a multi-purpose, persistent, interactive virtual space," Epic says. "Harm like this to Epic's flagship app cannot be calculated in damages."

Meanwhile, Epic accuses Apple of being a "monopolist" that maintains its position by "explicitly prohibiting any competitive entry". Pulling Fortnite from the App Store "was a clear warning to any other developer that would dare challenge Apple's monopolies: follow our rules or we will cut you off from a billion iOS consumers - challenge us and we will destroy your business", Epic said.

Apple has said it will let Fortnite back on the App Store if Epic removes the direct payment feature. Epic has so far refused. In a letter dated 10th July 2020 and included in Epic's filing, Douglas G. Vetter, Vice President & Associate General Counsel for Apple said: "Surely Epic must understand that Apple is entitled to a return on its investment and the use of its property. After all, Epic takes great pains to protect its own investments and intellectual property.

"Yet somehow, you believe Apple has no right to do the same, and want all the benefits Apple and the App Store provide without having to pay a penny. Apple cannot bow to that unreasonable demand."

Apple has yet to respond to this latest filing, but it seems unlikely much movement will be made on Labor Day weekend in the United States.

 

[V_K]

In the filing, Epic argues it will suffer "irreparable harm" in the absence of a preliminary injunction. It said daily active users on iOS have declined by over 60 per cent since Fortnite was pulled from the App Store. According to the filing, iOS is the biggest platform for Fortnite, with an incredible 116 million registered users - just shy of a third of the 350 million registered users Fortnite has in total. Apparently 63 per cent of Fortnite users on iOS access Fortnite only on iOS, too. For them, perhaps iOS is the only way to play.

Epic has some strong words in its filing, saying it's worried it will never see the iOS users it's already lost ever again.

It feels incredibly good to watch an annoying entity publicly destroy itself.

 

[NJClaw]

Oh no, Apple has a monopoly on its own devices! How could this happen?

 

[Fishy]

daily active users on iOS have declined by over 60 per cent since Fortnite was pulled from the App Store.

I'm no Apple fan, but...

 

[lukaszek]

deterministic system > RNG

 

[BlackAdderBG]

Apple counter sues Epic.

 

[DalekFlay]

"In light of Apple taking all our profits, we are forced to shut down the Epic Games Store permanently. All game licenses will be lost, fuck you. Sweeney out."

 

[V_K]

Apple counter sues Epic.

I mean, given all the Sweenie's social media defamation "PR" campaigns, it's not even completely baseless.

 

[BlackAdderBG]

Apple counter sues Epic.

I mean, given all the Sweenie's social media defamation "PR" campaigns, it's not even completely baseless.

That is understatement, Apple will get a lot of money from Epic's stunts.

 

[Fishy]

Apple counter sues Epic.

I mean, given all the Sweenie's social media defamation "PR" campaigns, it's not even completely baseless.

That is understatement, Apple will get a lot of money from Epic's stunts.

Meh, even if that goes through, Tim can just release a new Fortnite skin themed with dollar signs and apples and his minions will pay for it.







Just not from an iOS device.