Epic Games sends emails to Fortnite players accusing Apple of not making new season available

Epic Games sent out emails to Fortnite users on iPhone, iPad and Mac this evening letting them know that it will not be possible to play the newly released Marvel-themed Season 4 content on their devices.

In the email, Epic Games blames Apple’s App Store fees for the unavailability of new content, though Apple has said that if the direct payment option is removed and Fortnite follows the App Store policy, it may be updated and stay in the ‌App Store‌ while the legal battle between the two companies takes place in court. From the Epic Games email:

Apple is blocking Fortnite updates and new installations on the ‌App Store‌, and has said it will end our ability to develop Fortnite for Apple devices. As a result, the update of Chapter 2 – Season 4 (v14.00) was not released on iOS and macOS on August 27th. […]

Apple restricts competition so they can collect 30% of consumer payments in apps like Fortnite, which increases the prices you pay. Epic reduced prices through a direct payment option, but Apple is blocking Fortnite to prevent Epic from passing on the savings of direct payments to players. Epic has taken legal steps to end Apple’s anti-competitive restrictions in mobile device markets. Papers are available for our submission from August 13th, August 17th and August 23rd. In retaliation for this action, Apple blocked your access to Fortnite updates and new installations on all iOS devices.

Epic Games informs customers that they can still play the existing Season 3 content, but progress is not possible and iOS and Mac players cannot play platform with those on other devices. Players using Apple products will not have access to the new cosmetic options, nor will they be able to receive gifts from the new season unless they sign in to an alternate platform that has access to the season 4 content. Battle Lab, Duos, and LTMs are disabled on iOS, and iOS players cannot complete new Quick Challenges and Style Challenges.

Instead of iOS devices, Epic Games advises customers to play Fortnite on Android, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, and it leads customers to Apple to request refunds for in-app purchases.

Epic Games tried to get a temporary restraining order that would force Apple to allow Fortnite updates to be available on iOS devices and that would prevent Apple from terminating the Epic Games developer account, but the judge sat on Apple’s side and granted no limitation to order for Fortnite.

The judge in charge of the case told Epic Games’ lawyers that all Epic needed was “to return to the status quo and no one would be harmed,” but Epic chose not to do so and stands firm as Apple prepares to terminate its developer account. Epic lawyers actually said that Epic “cannot return to an anti-competitive contract.”

Apple said in mid-August that Epic would lose access to its developer account on August 28, which is tomorrow, so it looks like Fortnite will be unavailable in the near future, as it appears it has no plans to retaliate. .

Apple would also block Epic from working on the Unreal Engine used by third-party developers, but Epic was able to successfully secure a restrictive command to prevent this from happening. Although Apple is permitted to block Fortnite as long as Epic violates the App Store rules, it is not permitted to use the Epic International developer account and tools for the Unreal Engine.

The next hearing in Apple vs. Epic battle will take place on September 28, with Epic aiming for a preliminary order allowing Fortnite to return to the StoreApp Store allow.