Epic Games currently finds itself locked in a legal battle with both Apple and Google. And that was by choice. While it was rumored, and expected, to be the case right from the start, the CEO of Epic Games has confirmed it was a planned, and well-organized, effort to try and change Apple’s and Google’s digital storefronts.
CNN Business spoke with Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, to get the lowdown on the situation between the company and Apple and Google. Sweeney is never one to mince words, and that remains the case here. While he does say that his legal battle is with Google, too, he doesn’t shy away from saying he’s particularly aiming at Apple.
Epic’s frustration with Apple especially, and Google to some extent, had been building up for at least three years. Ever since Fortnite grew to have a large audience, we felt stifled by several things.
So, as Fortnite, the mega-popular battle royale game grew in popularity (and earned Epic Games more money), the company grew tired of giving any of that money to other companies. Makes sense! And, as a result of that, a plan was set in motion. So much so, in fact, that Epic Games actually had an internal name for the effort: “Project Liberty”.
Sweeney confirms in this interview what many had suspected right out of the gate: this was all a plan, right from the start. You see, Epic Games added the ability for Fortnite players to pay Epic Games directly, avoiding Apple’s first-party payment system. That goes against Apple’s App Store rules and Epic Games was fully aware of that. But they did it anyway. And basically right after Apple pulled the game from the digital storefront, Epic launched its lawsuit.
Sweeney says the company “spent months” preparing the whole thing, from the lawsuit, to the planned in-app purchases, to even the marketing effort that launched soon after, too. That included an ad similar to Apple’s original “1984” marketing push from many years ago (which you can watch in the timeline below).
But, while this appears to be an argument against Apple’s (and Google’s) built-in fees, Sweeney has said it’s more than that, both in the past and in this interview:
I grew up in a time in which anybody could make software. This is my first computer, an Apple II,” said Sweeney, gesturing towards the iconic blocky, grey machine on the desk behind him. “You turn it on and it comes up with a programming language prompt,” he continued. “So I felt all along that open platforms are the key to free markets and the future of computing.
It’s not a secret, either, that Epic Games is struggling, at least somewhat, in these legal battles. While it’s technically possible for Android users to keep playing Fortnite, even without the game being available in the mobile OS’s storefront, that’s not the case for iOS users. And, as Apple and Epic Games have confirmed in the past, that was raking in millions of dollars for Epic thanks to in-app purchases. But, Sweeney says the battle is worth it, and doesn’t plan on backing down anytime soon.
[The companies] will just do that industry by industry and app category by app category until they’ve gobbled up everything that matters. And who will be left?” said Sweeney. “A million indie developers who collectively together make a small percentage of revenues on the app store because these businesses are too small to be attractive to steal.
The full interview is worth a read. It also includes some additional background on Sweeney himself.
You can check out the timeline of events so far in the Apple vs Epic Games battle below.
The timeline
August 13, 2020
- Epic Games updates Fortnite on the server-side, bypassing the App Store review process. It adds a direct payment option, breaking another rule in the process.
- Apple removes Fortnite from the App Store due to Epic Games breaking the App Store rules.
- Epic Games launches a media blitz, and it also sues Apple for anti-competitive behavior.
- Epic launches “Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite”, a parody video of Apple’s original “1984” ad:
- Google removes Fortnite from the Play Store, as Epic Games also violated the Play Store’s rules.
- Epic sues Google, too.
- Spotify weighs in! Unsurprisingly, it applauds Epic Games for its decision to stand up against Apple.
August 14, 2020
- Facebook says Apple’s App Store fees make it impossible to help small businessesimpacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
August 17, 2020
- Apple threatens to revoke Epic Games’ developer accounts for not only iOS, but also macOS. That cut-off is set to take place on Friday, August 28, 2020.
August 18, 2020
- Apple issues an official statement on the matter in response to Epic Games.
- Epic Games is revealed to have sought a coalition of “Apple critics” to help fight against Apple.
August 20, 2020
- The Wall Street Journal and other news publications sign an open letter asking for Apple to reduce its App Store fees down to a standard 15%.
August 21, 2020
- Epic Games promotes the #FreeFortnite Cup, or tournament, that is meant to bring even more attention against Apple, and is promoting “anti-Apple” prizes.
- Epic sought special treatment for Fortnite before it declared war against Apple and the App Store’s guidelines.
August 24, 2020
- Judge Gonzalez-Rogers rules that Apple does not need to reinstate Fortnite back into the App Store as the legal battle wages on. The judge also rules that Apple cannot revoke the Unreal Engine development tools, but it can still move forward with removing Epic’s developer account for iOS and macOS.
- Apple says it agrees with the ruling made by Judge Gonzalez-Rogers, and is prepared to welcome Fortnite back onto iOS as soon as Epic Games is ready to follow the App Store guidelines.
August 26, 2020
- Epic confirms that the new season of Fortnite, which is Marvel-themed, will not be available on iOS or Mac. Cross-platform functionality with those platforms is also removed.
August 28, 2020
- Epic lets Fortnite players know in an email that it’s Apple’s fault they can’t play the new season of the game.
- Apple revokes Epic Games’ App Store and developer accounts.
September 8, 2020
- Apple countersues Epic Games in what it claims is a “breach of contract” related to its App Store practices.
September 9, 2020
- Epic Games says Apple is going to disable the “Sign in with Apple” feature as soon as Friday, September 11.
- Apple changes its mind regarding “Sign in with Apple”, allows existing customers to keep using it.
September 10, 2020
September 18, 2020
- Epic Games shuts down Fortnite: Save the World for Mac as of September 23.
September 24, 2020
- Epic Games, Spotify, Tile, and other companies create the “Coalition for App Fairness” to take on Apple’s and Google’s digital storefront policies.
September 28, 2020
- U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers says the public’s opinion regarding the legal battle between Apple and Epic Games should be considered, suggests a jury should be involved.
October 7, 2020
- Judge rules that the court battle between Apple and Epic Games will resume in May 2021.
November 5, 2020
- Fortnite returns to iOS thanks to GeForce Now game streaming service, and only available via Safari.
December 17, 2020
- Judge orders both Tim Cook and Craig Federighi to testify in the legal battle between Apple and Epic Games.
December 21, 2020
- Epic Games sends out “Free Fortnite” loot boxes to influencers, trying to drum up support
January 14, 2021
- Epic Games expands its legal battle with Apple and Google to the United Kingdom
February 1, 2021
- Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, is ordered to sit through a 7-hour deposition