Epic says it can’t bring its products to iOS as Apple has terminated its developer account

Epic Games has said plans to bring the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to iOS devices in Europe have been suspended after Apple terminated its developer account.

In mid-February, the company said it had been granted a developer account that would enable it to launch the Epic Games Store and Fortnite on Apple devices in Europe this year.

This was thanks the introduction of a new EU regulation, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to ensure that so-called gatekeepers like Apple don’t use their dominant position in the market to stifle competition.

However, on Wednesday, Epic published a blog post claiming that Apple has terminated its developer account, citing recent criticism of the iPhone maker’s policies and its previous issues with the Fortnite maker.

The companies are engaged in an antitrust legal battle dating back to August 2020, when Epic moved to circumvent Apple’s 30% platform fees with a new direct payment option in Fortnite, leading to the game’s removal from the App Store and the termination of Epic’s original developer account.

“This is a serious violation of the DMA and shows Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices,” Epic said today.

“The DMA requires Apple to allow third-party app stores, like the Epic Games Store. Article 6(4) of the DMA says: ‘The gatekeeper shall allow and technically enable the installation and effective use of third-party software applications or software application stores using, or interoperating with, its operating system and allow those software applications or software application stores to be accessed by means other than the relevant core platform services of that gatekeeper.’

“In terminating Epic’s developer account, Apple is taking out one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store. 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.

“If Apple maintains its power to kick a third party marketplace off iOS at its sole discretion, no reasonable developer would be willing to utilize a third party app store, because they could be permanently separated from their audience at any time.”

It added: “The DMA was designed to eliminate the very power imbalance that Apple is proving exists today: they claim to have total control to block competing stores and apps. We will continue to fight to bring true competition and choice to iOS devices in Europe and around the world.”

This is the post Apple cited when banning the Epic Games Store from competing with the iOS App Store under Europe's new DMA law. Criticism of Apple = untrustworthiness, in Apple leadership's bleak vision of their future relationship with app developers. https://t.co/tZ7wg3V1xV

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 6, 2024

In its own statement (via 9to5Mac), Apple said it had the right to terminate Epic’s developer account.

“Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate ‘any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion.’ In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.”