It’s only been a month since Apple opted to removeFortnitefrom its app store, citing developer and publisher Epic Games as having violated the terms and services. This led to Epic Games filing a lawsuit against Apple and the feud has only intensified since, with Epic taking potshots at Apple andeven arguably weaponizingFortniteplayers against it.
Neither side has shown any sign of backing down. While Epic Games was unable to convince the courts to have Apple reinstateFortnite, it filed a second motion which would allow it to update the game, so mobile players would be able to playthe current Marvel-themed season.
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In turn,Apple has filed a countersuit against Epic, accusing the publisher of seeking special treatment. Not only that, but Apple could very well keepFortniteoff its store for at least another year. In an email sent to Epic, which it has shared in preliminary court documents, Apple writes “… please note that we will deny your reapplication to the Apple Developer Program for at least a year considering the nature of your acts.”
Apple had previously stated that it would allowFortniteback if Epic dropped its lawsuit and removed the new payment system it introduced thatled toFortnitebeing taken off the Apple store in the first place, but it seems it has lost what little patience it may have had. No doubt this decision has been spurred by Epic’s rather hostile attitude towards Apple, even using one of Apple’s old commercials to parody and mock it.
The ban is already drastically affectingFortnite. With iOS users unable to enjoy the latest content, theiOS playerbase has dropped significantly.If the ban persists until 2021, many more players could decide to simply drop the game altogether.
Epic certainly believes that the ban is doing irreparable damage, butFortniteisn’t exactly suffering at the moment. The game has continued to receive regular updates and content on consoles and PC. Some former iOS players have simply jumped ship to other platforms, and Epic is still making deals with other companies.
Aside from the fact that its current season features numerous Marvel characters and locations, it has a DC Comics-themed bundle coming in November, which includesnew cosmetics based on the Joker.
And more recently, Epic is collaborating with Nintendo to releaseaFortnite-themed Switch console, which will also come with its own unique Joy-Con controllers and 2,000 V-Bucks to spend in-game.
Given how antagonistic the two companies have been acting towards each other, it’s looking less and less likely that this lawsuit will resolve itself anytime soon, andFortniteiOS players may need to start excepting that they won’t be seeing the game back on the Apple store until this time next year, assuming that even happens at all.
Fortniteis available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
