Apple has responded to Epic's lawsuit, claiming the gaming giant has requested special treatment multiple times due to its status, as evidenced by emails from Epic CEO Tim Sweeney. Sweeney tweeted on Aug. 13 that Epic wasn't looking for a unique deal with Apple, but the iPhone maker produced three emails from Sweeney claiming otherwise.
Today Apple said Epic was looking for a special offer, but it wasn't. We fight for open platforms and policy changes that benefit all developers equally. And it's gonna be a hell of a fight! https://t.co/R5A48InGTg
& mdash; Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 14, 2020
Phil Schiller, Apple's director of global marketing, claimed Sweeney contacted the company asking for a "side letter" from Apple that would create a special offer just for Epic, the way Epic offers apps on Apple's iOS platform would change fundamentally. "
The App and Google Play Stores reduce in-app purchase revenue for Epic and other developers by 30%. On Thursday August 13th, Epic implemented an in-app purchase bypass that offered players a discount if they purchased the in-game currency V-Bucks directly from Fourteen days.
Schiller went on in Apple's filing that Epic was looking for a way to bypass the company's in-app purchases. The morning Fornite Sweeney started its in-app purchase bypass and previously emailed Apple explaining the company's intent. While Sweeney and Epic were looking for special treatment, the email states, "We hope Apple will make these options available to all iOS developers equally as well."
Eric asked for a restraining order that would be temporarily released Fourteen days back on the App Store while handling legal issues after removal. A hearing on this injunction is scheduled for Monday, August 24th.
"Following its own voluntary actions, Epic is now seeking emergency aid. But the "emergency" is entirely up to Epic, "claimed Apple in its feedback. The company added that if Epic simply followed the rules of the App Store, Fourteen days could return to the platform.
Fourteen days on mobile is a big money maker for Epic. According to analysts Sensor Tower, by May 2020, in-app purchases in the app and Google Play stores have generated $ 1 billion in revenue since the game was launched on mobile two years ago. 30% of this revenue went directly to Apple and Google. To keep more of their money, Epic V-Bucks offered a 20% discount if players bought the in-game currency directly from Fourteen days.
Apple and Google removed Fourteen days from their respective storefronts, although Android devices have access to other marketplaces, including Epic's. Epic has since armed its player base against the companies, but it has a specific goal in mind for Apple. In particular, Epic released a parody of Apple's historic 1984 commercial for the original Macintosh.
Epic claims it has the interests of consumers and other developers at its center, but Apple's documentation might imply otherwise.
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