26 votes

Apple has informed Epic that on August 28 they will terminate Epic's developer accounts and cut them off from iOS and Mac dev tools, and Epic has filed for a restraining order in response

6 comments

  1. [3]
    moocow1452
    Link
    Talk is cheap, but Apple cutting off the Unreal Engine from iOS devs is very on brand, and it really stinks for the developers that would be affected by this. Epic really doesn't have a long term...

    Talk is cheap, but Apple cutting off the Unreal Engine from iOS devs is very on brand, and it really stinks for the developers that would be affected by this. Epic really doesn't have a long term out that isn't "eat your crow and lick the plate clean" if the injunction doesn't go though, does it?

    7 votes
    1. NaraVara
      Link Parent
      They're gonna have a really fun time when Sony and Microsoft both submit AC briefs on behalf of Apple. I can't second guess what Epic is thinking. I'm sure their legal and regulatory people are...

      Epic really doesn't have a long term out that isn't "eat your crow and lick the plate clean" if the injunction doesn't go though, does it?

      They're gonna have a really fun time when Sony and Microsoft both submit AC briefs on behalf of Apple.

      I can't second guess what Epic is thinking. I'm sure their legal and regulatory people are smarter than me about this. But I can't imagine any legal or regulatory hammer that hits the Apple Store that doesn't hit Epic's own store harder. Do they seriously think they're going to force every device to allow 3rd party storefronts? If that happens, Epic might get their own store on the PS5 or whatever, but so will everyone else. That's a way disadvantaged position for them compared to now where Sony and MS are both actively courting them for exclusives.

      11 votes
    2. Silbern
      Link Parent
      I mean, I don't think it will ultimately hurt them too much. OSX is a pretty small marketshare, and while losing iOS would be a big blow, they still have tons of income from Windows, Android, and...

      I mean, I don't think it will ultimately hurt them too much. OSX is a pretty small marketshare, and while losing iOS would be a big blow, they still have tons of income from Windows, Android, and console users. It just means they'll be making money at a slightly less obscene rate, and it might cause some kids to choose Android phones instead of iPhones as their next devices, if Fortnite is a killer app for them (is Fortnite a killer app for kids? I'm too old these days).

      3 votes
  2. [3]
    Silbern
    Link
    I think this is the first time in human history a company has tried to use the existence of Baby Yoda in a legal defense. It's 2020, why the hell not I guess...

    “The cascading effect of losing ongoing Unreal Engine compatibility will threaten the viability of the engine and disrupt development of a constellation of apps and uses that rely on its graphics to render hundreds of video games, the human brain, Baby Yoda and space flight,” the company writes in the motion today

    I think this is the first time in human history a company has tried to use the existence of Baby Yoda in a legal defense. It's 2020, why the hell not I guess...

    14 votes
    1. hamstergeddon
      Link Parent
      A Chewbacca Defense for the 21st century.

      A Chewbacca Defense for the 21st century.

      7 votes
    2. Heichou
      Link Parent
      Epic really seems to be grasping at straws to try to explain why them blatantly breaking Apple's TOS and getting shitcanned for it is rude and anticonsumer

      Epic really seems to be grasping at straws to try to explain why them blatantly breaking Apple's TOS and getting shitcanned for it is rude and anticonsumer

      7 votes