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Apple to cut Epic's iOS dev accounts and tools

The iOS platform holder "won't make an exception" as Epic files another legal challenge.

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At the end of last week, the ongoing disagreement between Apple and Epic boiled over and turned into a very public spat, with Epic even going so far as to ask its fans to "fight" against Epic and its 30% cut after Fortnite was pulled from the App Store.

Here's what happened, as succinctly as possible: Epic wants Apple to take less of a percentage and looked to establish an alternative payment method outside of Apple's existing (and previously agreed) ecosystem. Apple didn't like the move (and nor did they have to, Epic had signed on the dotted line after all) and removed Fortnite from the App Store, a terminal move for a game that relies on regular updates.

A similar situation also played out between Epic and Google, but with a more relaxed Android ecosystem, things haven't come to a head as quickly. In this instance, Apple has fired back and Epic's access to various developer accounts is going to be cut later this month, as confirmed over on Twitter:

Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and has informed Epic that on Friday, August 28 Apple will terminate all our developer accounts and cut Epic off from iOS and Mac development tools. We are asking the court to stop this retaliation.

The legal challenge can be found here if you're interested.

Apple's response, on the other hand, seems more measured, and the company is willing to bring Epic back into the fold, as long as the Fortnite makers once again submit to Apple's terms. As the company clearly pointed out in a statement sent to The Verge, it won't be making an exception for Epic:

We very much want to keep the company as part of the Apple Developer Program and their apps on the Store. The problem Epic has created for itself is one that can easily be remedied if they submit an update of their app that reverts it to comply with the guidelines they agreed to and which apply to all developers. We won't make an exception for Epic because we don't think it's right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers.

Epic has until August 28 to make the changes needed to get back on the App Store and retain access to its Apple-focused dev tools, which will affect not just Epic but Unreal Engine and any devs that use that software, but with legal challenges in the works, what happens next is anyone's guess.

That said, Apple seems to have the upper hand, at least for now, and it will be interesting to see whether or not the two companies can reconcile their differences, and who will back down first. Expect this one to rumble on for a while longer, though.

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