Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has vowed to fight Apple over what he calls “absurd” demands for changes to the company’s new Epic Games Store on iOS. Despite recently receiving approval for its store, Apple has reportedly requested further modifications, specifically regarding the design of the “install” and “in-app purchase” buttons. Sweeney claims these changes would make the store less user-friendly and less standard, which is why Epic will “fight this.”
The ongoing saga between Epic and Apple over App Store policies stems from a long-standing disagreement about revenue-sharing requirements. Although Epic lost its antitrust lawsuit against Apple last year, its arguments found support in a separate lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice.
The European Union’s new Digital Markets Act appeared to offer Epic a solution, allowing them to launch their own store on iOS with reduced commissions. However, Apple’s initial rejection of the store, citing similarities to its own App Store, forced Epic to appeal to European regulators. This led to the recent approval, but now comes the demand for further changes, which Epic is refusing to accept.
This development once again highlights the power dynamics between tech giants and smaller companies, with Epic fighting for more control and fairness within the app market. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for developers and consumers alike.