Fortnite maker Epic Video games has hit a stumbling block in its plans to deliver the corporate’s different app retailer, the Epic Video games Retailer, to the EU. As now permitted by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Epic Video games introduced earlier this 12 months it deliberate to deliver each the digital storefront and its flagship sport, Fortnite, again to iOS in Europe. Now, Epic says Apple has rejected its submission twice over considerations that its Video games Retailer regarded an excessive amount of like Apple’s personal App Retailer.
Based on posts on X, Epic Video games says Apple has rejected its submission over particulars just like the place of its “Set up” button for video games, which Apple stated is simply too much like its personal “Get” button. It additionally stated that it was rejected for its “in-app buy” label being an excessive amount of like Apple’s label.
Epic argues that it’s utilizing the identical naming conventions which might be commonplace throughout common app shops on different platforms.
The corporate referred to as the rejection “arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA,” and stated it has shared its considerations with the European Fee.
Epic’s case represents a high-profile instance of how stringent Apple shall be with the brand new guidelines that let third-party app shops on iOS for the primary time. Extreme rejections may additionally dissuade different builders thinking about testing the waters with their very own distribution channels.
Apple responded to Epic Video games’ publish by noting that it’s attempting to assist the corporate get its Video games Retailer Iive, and that beneath Part 2.3 (G) of its developer settlement, Epic Video games agreed to not make its Video games Retailer seem confusingly much like the App Retailer. Apple says that Epic has typically adopted this guideline, aside from the design and replica of the obtain button.
Apple additionally famous that Epic Video games’ Fortnite app has already been authorised.
Below the DMA’s new guidelines, Apple is required to permit third-party app shops on the iPhone because the tech big was deemed a “gatekeeper” beneath EU regulation. App builders can even swap to a set of latest DMA guidelines that enable them to cut back commissions on in-app purchases on the App Retailer, although the method nonetheless includes charges beneath a sophisticated new construction that has builders paying Apple for using its expertise as an alternative.
Epic has been battling Apple for years for a method of reaching its prospects on the iPhone with out having to pay commissions on in-app purchases. The corporate took the case to the courts within the U.S., the place it in the end misplaced on most fronts, having didn’t show Apple was a monopolist. However Epic’s continued complaints noticed Apple briefly terminating the sport maker’s developer account within the EU, earlier than EU regulators once more stepped in. Since then, Epic Video games has vowed to launch Fortnite on iOS and iPad within the EU and convey its Video games Retailer to the market.