Epic Games has announced that iOS and macOS users won’t be able to partake in the upcoming Fortnite season, Chapter 2 – Season 4.
Apple is blocking Fortnite updates and new installs on the App Store, and has said they will terminate our ability to develop Fortnite for Apple devices. As a result, Fortnite’s newly released Chapter 2 – Season 4 update (v14.00), will not release on iOS and macOS on August 27.
Apple has blocked your ability to update Fortnite on the App Store, and has said they will terminate our ability to develop Fortnite for Apple devices. As a result, Chapter 2 – Season 4 (v14.00) will not release on Apple devices on August 27.
More info: https://t.co/O1bgKgkZCp
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 26, 2020
As part of the ongoing Epic Games vs. Apple (and Google), California district court judge ruled that Apple could not block access Epic Games’ developer account, as the company had threatened to remove it shortly. However, Fortnite is still not allowed on the Apple App Store. A result of this is that Apple iOS and macOS users won’t be able to partake in the upcoming Fortnite season, as they aren’t able to download the update.
I mentioned before, I feel that Epic Games is completely in the wrong here. They violated their agreement with Apple, they got caught and is now trying to mobilize younger gamers in an attempt to get Apple to cave. Why they feel they deserve special treatment is beyond me, and apparently the California district court judge who ruled against them. Now, I get it, Epic Games is “saying” this is for all developers, to get a lower fee charged by Apple, but the way they went about this was wrong. I’d be upset if I had a plan in place and someone suddenly added a way to bypass my payment system and get paid directly.
Who ultimately is getting hurt here? Not Epic Games, they’re still making money with Fortnite being available everywhere else. Not Apple, they just print money. So who… Oh right, the gamers. Being locked out of your favorite or most played game, with no end in sight is terrible. While Epic continues to act like they’re doing nothing wrong, the gamers will continue to be punished.
Google hasn’t been mentioned and at least for now, as Android users will still partake in the upcoming Season… thanks to the Samsung App Store and Epic Games Store App. As for Google Play, Fortnite is still missing and likely won’t be back for a while.
This battle is far from over, but I don’t see either Apple or Epic Games giving up an inch and it’s like going to be all decided by the judicial system.
