iOS 17.4 is already among us. We are talking about the version of the operating system that opens the doors to alternative store installation to the App Store within the European UnionThis is a possibility that Epic plans to exploit to launch Epic Game Store on iPhone and also reintroduce ‘Fortnite’ on the device.

Now the video game giant’s plans may not come true. Epic announced this Wednesday that Apple has canceled its developer account. As a result, the company explains that it cannot bring Epic Games Store to iOS. Additionally, he said such action was a “serious violation of the DMA” by the Cupertino firm.

Epic Games and the challenges of re-entering iOS

This move is notable considering Apple restored Epic’s developer account on February 19. Let’s recall that the company behind ‘Fortnite’ was banned from the App Store in 2020 after quietly launching an app. direct payment method To bypass the app store commission plan.

Epic announced that the Epic Games Store for iOS will be opened this year with its development account. This is technically impossible without an account, which is an important element of publishing applications and games on the App Store. We don’t know why Apple canceled the account even though Epic has its own version.

The company, founded by Tim Sweeney, said with this move that “Apple biggest rivals The potential of the Apple App Store.” In that sense, he adds, they undermine their ability to compete in a context where the DMA requires Apple to allow third-party apps on iOS.

“They show other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or criticize its unfair practices,” Epic said. The truth is that the company did not mince words and even accused people led by Tim Cook of retaliating for publicly criticizing some of Epic’s practices.

“Apple said one of the reasons they canceled our developer account a few weeks after approving it was because we publicly criticized the proposed DMA compliance plan. Apple cited this post from X written under this title By Tim Sweeney.

It is worth noting that both companies faced off in American and European courts. App Store rules. In a series of emails shared by Epic on Wednesday, App Store head Phil Schiller asked for assurances from Sweeney that Epic would comply with the rules.

Email messages between Epic’s Tim Sweeney and Apple’s Phil Schiller

According to the emails, Sweeney said they were acting in good faith and would comply with what was requested, but after this message exchange, Apple canceled Epic’s developer account, citing past incompatibility when ‘Fortnite’ was removed from the store on March 2. and currently lack of warranty.

Apple makes its decision based on the terms of the Developer Program License, which provides the ability to terminate agreements “at its sole discretion.” We have to wait to know whether this scenario will come true. another legal battle between companies. Epic, for its part, will have the ability to bring ‘Fortnite’ to iOS via other stores.

Pictures | Epic Games

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