Epic Games turns to antitrust regulators in fight with Apple

Fortnite creator, Epic Games, has taken its fight against Apple to European Union antitrust regulators.

The two companies have been embroiled in a dispute since August, when Epic tried to bypass Apple’s 30 per cent fee on some in-app purchases by launching its own in-app payment system.

In response, Apple kicked Epic’s immensely popular Fortnite game off their App Store.

Epic’s founder and chief executive Tim Sweeney said that Apple’s grip on its platform tilted the level playing field, and might in the future allow them to demand an even greater share of game developers’ sales.

“Epic is not asking any court or regulator to change this 30 per cent to some other number, only to restore competition on iOS”, he told reporters, referring to Apple’s iPhone operating system.  

In a statement, the company commented, “Epic has asked the Commission to address Apple’s anti-competitive conduct by imposing timely and effective remedies.” 

“Epic is not seeking damages from Apple, as is the case in the US, Australia and the UK. It is simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit consumers and developers,” it pointed out.

Responding, Apple emphasised that its rules apply equally to all developers, and that Epic had violated them. 

Apple App Store guidelines, the company said, “apply equally to every developer and protect customers”.

However, there are signs of some limited concessions on Apple’s part, including in the form of lowered fees for some developers and the implementation of a way for developers to challenge Apple rulings.