The biggest battle in Fortnite is not taking place at a big in-game event, but at the European Commission offices. Apple removed Epic Games' developer account before it launched its own digital store on iPhone, iPad, and everything that runs iOS because it was literally untrustworthy. Now, you must pick up the cable, return your account and open the doors to the Epic Games Store on your devices. Logically, there is a subplot behind it.
To put ourselves in a situation: Apple reserved a kind of “right of admission” to be able to appear both in the App Store (the iOS application store) and on the apple devices which, by the way, it launched last week. To be more specific, Apple did not intend for Epic Games to return and the reason was simple: years ago, Epic itself offered alternatives for gamers of Fortnite They could pay without having to give a percentage to Apple. Something that violated the terms of the Appstore.
How and why has Apple collected cable? For some time now it has come across a huge stone in its shoe: the new Digital Markets Law promoted by the European Union whose reason for being is, literally, to guarantee fair and open digital markets. This last term being what finally forced the European commission to intervene between both companies.
As a consequence, Apple has had to give in to Epic's initiatives and has restored their developer accounts. What's more, it is a matter of time before we see Fortnite back on iOS and, in turn, an alternative to the App Store. A process that, according to Tim Sweeney, president and founder of Epic itself, was really quick.
“The DMA faced its first big challenge when Apple banned Epic Games from competing with the App Store, and won its first big victory.
Following a swift investigation by the European Commission, Apple notified the Commission and Epic that it would relinquish and restore our access to recover Fortnite and launch the Epic Games Store in Europe under the DMA law.
A great victory for the European rule of law, for the European Commission and for the freedom of developers around the world to speak. #FreeFortnite! “
A victory for Epic? What is clear is that it is a new outlook for Apple: Epic Games Store does not hide its intentions to be the alternative to the Appstore, and it is worth remembering that Apple currently generates more income through it than Xbox, PlayStation, Activision Blizzard and Nintendo combined. With which a wave of landings of digital markets on iOS devices is expected.
Which brings us to the last point in this regard: what do Apple think about it? In statements to The Verge, Fred Sainz, spokesperson for the apple company, confirms the return of Epic, but makes it clear that they must respect the changes and new terms that the company has adopted to continue operating in European territory.
“Following discussions with Epic, they have committed to following the rules, including our policies in line with the Digital Markets Act. As a result, Epic Sweden AB was allowed to re-sign the developer agreement and was accepted into the Program. of Apple Developers.”
The arrival of the Epic Games Store on iPhone and the rest of Apple devices is imminent. Fortnite It was already present through Amazon and Xbox cloud gaming, but this will enable there to be its own version. For their part, cloud gaming platforms such as Xbox Cloud Gaming are also preparing their arrival without having to take unnecessary detours. And what is more significant: now that the App Store is not the only market on iOS, it will have to compete and win over users who, in short, are the big winners in this Battle Royale.
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