Apple and Epic Games have been embroiled in a long-standing dispute, with each side accusing the other of causing problems in various ways. The European Union’s recent regulatory overhaul is forcing Apple to rethink its exclusivity clause, potentially paving the way for rival app stores on iOS, with Epic Games leading the charge in exploiting this new opportunity.
It’s not done to their advantage.
As expected, Apple seems to have taken umbrage with Epic Games’ actions, appearing determined to make it increasingly difficult for the Fortnite creator to distribute its game through the App Store.
There will be no Epic Games Store for iPhone users.
Apple has rejected our Epic Video Games Retailer’s notarization submission twice, citing concerns that the design of Epic’s “Setup” button bears an uncanny resemblance to Apple’s own “Get” button, while also claiming our “In-app purchases” label is too similar to the App Store’s “In-App Purchases” label.
Apple has reportedly rejected Epic’s Game Store submission for the second time, prompting the gaming giant to express its discontent through a series of scathing remarks. Apple has rejected Epic’s app submission due to concerns that the buttons used are too similar to those found in the official Apple App Store.
The buttons featured in this query are the “Set up” button and the “In-App Purchases” button. It appears that Apple requires the modification of their “Get” and “In-App Purchase” buttons to conform to specific guidelines, similar to how other companies have implemented custom buttons. Apple has yet to respond to Epic’s claims that the rejection is “arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the Digital Markets Act,” adding that they have shared their concerns with the European Commission.
In response to the bombshell disclosure, European Union antitrust expert Florian Mueller told iMore: “The Digital Markets Act (DMA) does not dictate that platform operators like Apple must allow just any vendor.” The system empowers platforms to establish affordable benchmarks, leaving it up to the operators themselves to decide which stores to accommodate. The DMA does not state that the European Commission endorses app stores, nor does it imply the EU must meddle in the micro-management of digital platforms.
Yikes. Despite fervent wishes, it seems unlikely that the Epic Games Store will arrive on iPhones anytime soon, regardless of your desire to play Fortnite.
