Epic Games is looking to fight back against Apple in court. In the first hearing, the judge had allowed Apple to terminate Epic’s iOS developer account. With the decision, Epic could not update Fortnite on iOS. Now, Epic has made a response.  

Epic vs. Apple, Round 2

Gizmodo reports that Epic wants the court to let them put Fortnite back on the App Store. This request comes after Epic had skipped the game’s iOS and macOS version when it launched the latest chapter of Fortnite last week.

Epic asks court to put Fortnite back in the App Store while it fights with Apple. https://t.co/TeRhCFJqFp pic.twitter.com/8mldWid6gC

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) September 6, 2020

The company said that Fortnite’s absence on iOS would cause them a lot of trouble. Moreover, Epic is also asking the court to restore its iOS developer account. 

In a statement, Epic also accused Apple of running a monopoly. The company also accused Apple of “trying to destroy its business.” Likewise, Epic said that taking a stand against Apple is necessary. They want to free consumers and developers from Apple’s restrictions on the App Store.  

Apple’s Response

In response, Apple told Gizmodo that Epic Games had agreed to its App Store policy in the first place. The company said it did not coerce Epic to agree to their terms. Moreover, the relationship between the two companies led to a “successful business on the App Store.”

Apple added that they want to work with Epic Games to resolve all violations so that they could return Fortnite to the App Store. 

Apple’s In-App Purchase

The whole issue started with Apple’s 30% cut from in-app purchases. Also, developers have to agree never to put in place other payment methods that bypass Apple. Epic had broken the rules by allowing direct payment on Fortnite on iOS and macOS.

The post Epic Games Asks Court to Restore Fortnite to App Store first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Apple updated some of its App Store rules for game streaming. However, reports say these changes aren’t enough to attract game companies to iOS. For example, several restrictions remain in the App Store policies that limit game streaming. 

Apple’s New Rules

Kotaku reports that Apple revised its App Store rules ahead of the launch of iOS 14. With the rule changes, CNBC says that Microsoft’s Project xCloud and Google Stadia are now allowed on the App Store.

Apple's new game streaming rules probably won't lead to Stadia and xCloud on your iPhone: https://t.co/a9sD9Up5JS pic.twitter.com/As8Omv4Ul8

— Kotaku (@Kotaku) September 11, 2020

However, Apple’s restrictions on game streaming remain in place. For example, companies planning to stream games on iOS should create separate apps for each game. Each of these apps would then undergo the App Store’s review process. 

Apple would allow developers to build “catalog apps” to let users access their game streaming apps quickly. However, these apps still won’t give users direct access to the games. 

Problems with Apple’s New Rules

Kotaku says Apple’s rule changes still won’t make game streamers happy. For example, Stadia promises users direct and easy access to their games on any mobile device. However, with Apple’s new rules, users would have to download tons of apps for each Stadia game. 

In short, iOS gamers still couldn’t stream any games on mobile. Another wrinkle is that each game would have to undergo Apple’s review process. As a result, each app would have to pay Apple its 30% cut of in-app purchases. 

Epic Games had already rebelled against this rule, and Apple deleted Fortnite from the App Store in response.  

Response from Game Companies

In response to Kotaku, Microsoft said Apple’s new rules “remains a bad experience for customers.” The company said that gamers want direct access to their games instead of going through a catalog app.

The post Game Streaming on iOS Still Far off Even with Apple’s New Rules first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Apple is now letting developers fight back against App Store policies. The company had announced this move at the WWDC in June. Now the process is live. A developer can file an appeal to Apple if they think the company was wrong to flag their app.

Apple Listening to Devs

In a blog post, Apple announced that the process is now online. The company said they updated the App Store’s review process. Moreover, Apple will no longer delay bug fixes because of policy violations. However, legal issues are the exception.

Apple is also allowing developers to suggest changes to the guidelines. 

How Does This Apple Appeals Process Work?

Gizmodo reports that all appeals will be anonymous. However, only account holders or members of Apple’s Developer Program can appeal. For example, Epic Games can’t suggest or appeal anymore. Apple had already terminated its developer account. 

Developers can now formally challenge Apple's App Store rejections https://t.co/PC64neUV7A pic.twitter.com/o9uiHpGGRE

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) September 1, 2020

What’s Going on with Apple?

Apple had gotten into a couple of fights with other tech companies before. Before meeting Epic Games in court, Apple had feuded with Basecamp. Basecamp created the Hey email app. Similarly, Basecamp had challenged Apple’s 30% tax. The company also hit Apple for holding Hey hostage. If Basecamp doesn’t put in-app purchases on Hey, Apple won’t let them update it.

Recently, Apple also did the same thing to WordPress’ iOS app. However, they walked their decision back. Also, Apple stopped Facebook from telling users about Apple’s 30% app purchase tax.

The post Apple Now Letting Devs Challenge App Store Rules first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Rob Sterling

Apple has escalated its battle with Epic Games. After the first hearing in Epic’s lawsuit last week, Apple has deleted Epic’s developer account. The company had threatened to do it before. With Epic now unable to access iOS developer tools, they can no longer update Fortnite on iOS. They also can no longer put their games up on the App Store. 

Apple Strikes at Epic Games

In a statement to Bloomberg, Apple confirmed that it had terminated Epic Games’ App Store account. Both companies had worked together on several launches and releases in the past. However, Apple said that Epic refused to comply with App Store rules even though the court asked them to. Apple also blamed Epic for its legal battle.

The Response from Epic Games

Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney shot back on Twitter. He said that Apple chose to terminate the company’s account, even though they didn’t have to. In the tweet, Sweeney also noted that Epic uploaded several updates to the App Store. These updates included the Season 4 update for Fortnite. Sweeney said they uploaded the Season 4 update just in case Apple wants to restore Fortnite to the App Store. 

Apple's statement isn't forthright. They chose to terminate Epic's account; they didn't *have* to.

Apple suggests we spammed the App Store review process. That's not so. Epic submitted three Fortnite builds: two bug-fix updates, and the Season 4 update with this note. pic.twitter.com/VpWEERDp5L

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 28, 2020

Epic Games vs. Apple

Epic Games had triggered Apple to respond by adding the option for Fortnite players to pay Epic directly when they buy the in-game currency V-bucks. Through direct payment, Apple would be unable to take its 30% cut from in-app purchases. This move violated App Store policies. According to Apple, every app that requires users to pay should give Apple 30% of its sales.

In response, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store. Epic then sued Apple for the removal.

The post Apple Terminates Epic Games’ iOS Dev Account first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Fortnite gamers will have to stick to consoles now, as both Apple and Google kicked out the mobile app from their stores. Apple had kicked out the game first, which triggered a lawsuit from Epic Games. Now, Google has followed suit.

Why Did Apple Drop Fortnite?

Gizmodo reports that Apple dropped Fortnite from the App Store because Epic Games tried to bypass Apple’s fees for its apps. The company charges app makers a 30% fee before they could sell apps on the App Store. Also, app makers have to make Apple their only payment option.

However, Epic Games bypassed Apple by offering an alternative payment mode in Fortnite. The company allowed Fortnite players to buy V-bucks directly from Epic, without going through Apple. Moreover, players could buy V-bucks at a 20% discount straight from Epic. V-bucks are Fortnite’s in-game currency that people buy with real money.

Apple’s guidelines say app makers offering in-app purchases cannot use a direct payment method. 

Fortnite booted from Google's app store too. https://t.co/JC1buCWoqJ pic.twitter.com/LfJGxGqgbo

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 14, 2020

Why Did Google Drop Fortnite?

Google dropped Fortnite from the Play Store for the same reason. Like Apple, Google also takes a 30% cut from in-app purchases. With Epic’s V-bucks move, Google found the company violated Play Store policies. 

While the game is now impossible to install on iOS, the app remains available on Android. Gamers can still download the game on the Epic Games Android app, or from Samsung’s Galaxy Store. 

Epic’s 20% V-bucks discount also applies to both stores. 

Apple vs. Epic Games

This news comes after Apple faced antitrust charges about its App Store policies. If Epic Games succeeds with its lawsuit, it could make Apple relax its rules. Millions of players play Fortnite around the world, and Apple might not want to pick a fight with them.

The post Google and Apple Drop Fortnite from their App Stores first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

With Project xCloud not on iOS devices, Microsoft now blames Apple for denying its users from streaming games to their mobile devices. Microsoft had begun beta testing for Project xCloud for iOS using Apple’s TestFlight, but the testing period ended this week.  

Project xCloud: Microsoft vs. Apple

Gizmodo reports that Microsoft used to be hopeful that Apple would allow Project xCloud “and other cloud gaming services” on iOS devices. However, with iOS beta testing over, Microsoft now blames Apple for the lack of cloud gaming services on iOS. 

In a statement, Microsoft said that it doesn’t see a way to bring cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to iOS gamers. The company also accused Apple of applying a double standard against gaming apps. 

As of now, Apple doesn’t support Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce, or Project xCloud.

Apple is denying consumers cloud gaming, Microsoft claims https://t.co/PgKrT8Ugta pic.twitter.com/GTMR9uFB8X

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 7, 2020

Project xCloud: App Store Policies

According to Gizmodo, App Store policies prevent some apps from appearing in the store. One of these policies is submitting games to Apple for individual review. This policy hinders cloud gaming apps that offer dozens of titles. 

Apple told Business Insider that Project xCloud and other cloud gaming apps violate App Store policy. The company added that Microsoft doesn’t submit each game on Project xCloud to Apple review, so it blocked the app itself.  

Project xCloud: Apple’s Antitrust Issues

Apple has faced charges of blocking out potential rivals from the App Store. For Apple, allowing Project xCloud might threaten its game subscription service. However, the problem is that Microsoft is not a team of indie devs, but a tech giant with the resources to fight back.

Project xCloud will launch on Android devices only on September 15.

The post Microsoft Blames Apple for Shutting Out Project xCloud first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins