Epic Games on Friday alleged that Apple is actively hindering the launch of the Epic Games Store on iOS in Europe — reports Reuters.
The Fornite maker said that Apple has rejected its independent storefront for iPhones and iPads twice over concerns that some buttons and labels were similar to those used by the App Store.
“We are using the same “Install” and “In-app purchases” naming conventions that are used across popular app stores on multiple platforms, and are following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps,” Epic explained in a series of posts on X.
“Apple’s rejection is arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA (Digital Markets Act), and we’ve shared our concerns with the European Commission.”
This is the latest development in a protracted legal battle between Epic and Apple over the latter’s iron grip on the iOS app ecosystem and 30% commissions on in-app purchases processed through the App Store.
Earlier this year, Apple committed to allowing sideloading and third-party app marketplaces like the Epic Games Store on iOS to comply with the DMA, which started going into effect in March. Apple also agreed to let developers opt out of its in-app payments system, instead slapping a “core technology fee” on apps distributed through third-party app stores.
With the DMA clearing the way, Epic Games has been working to bring the Epic Games Store to iOS devices in Europe. Unlike the App Store, the Epic Games Store maintains a more developer-friendly revenue split of 88/12, where developers retain 88% of the generated revenue while Epic takes a 12% cut.
Unfortunately, it looks like Epic has been hitting some hiccups along the way. In addition to iPhone, Epic has also announced plans to bring the Epic Games Store to iPad and Android later this year.
Apple last month became the first company to be formally charged under the DMA’s rules after the European Commission concluded that the App Store’s revised regulations don’t satisfy the legislation’s steering requirements.
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Don’t let this clown fool you he just wants more money in his pocket.
They’ve been framing it like they’re trying to help their customers, but it’s about having more money in epic games pocket.