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Apple has said it \u201cwon\u2019t make an exception\u201d for Fortnite as the payments dispute between it and developer Epic Games continues.<\/p>\nApple has said it \u201cwon\u2019t make an exception\u201d for Fortnite as the payments dispute between it and developer Epic Games continues.<\/p>\n
The iPhone maker has threatened to revoke Epic\u2019s membership to the Apple Developer Program over a direct payment option added to Fortnite last week.<\/p>\n
The rules on both Apple and Google\u2019s app stores state that purchases made for digital items within an app must be done through Apple or Google\u2019s respective payment system, from which the companies then take a cut of up to 30 per cent.<\/p>\n
But Fortnite was removed from both stores after adding an option to Fortnite which allowed users to pay Epic directly for in-app purchases.<\/p>\n
Apple said the issue was a \u201cproblem Epic has created for itself\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Epic said Apple was now threatening to remove the company from its developer program in the coming weeks, which would affect the firm\u2019s ability to make software for Apple\u2019s iOS and Mac platforms.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Apple said it wanted to keep Epic Games in the Developer Program and that the problem could be resolved if Fortnite was updated, in line with Apple\u2019s rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users and a great business opportunity for all developers,\u201d Apple said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEpic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, growing into a multibillion-dollar business that reaches millions of iOS customers around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe very much want to keep the company as part of the Apple Developer Program and their apps on the Store.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem Epic has created for itself is one that can easily be remedied if they submit an update of their app that reverts it to comply with the guidelines they agreed to and which apply to all developers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe won\u2019t make an exception for Epic because we don\u2019t think it\u2019s right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Epic said Apple had given the firm until August 28 to make the changes.<\/p>\n
The Fortnite maker revealed on Monday it had also filed a court injunction in the US against Apple, in an effort to prevent Apple from cutting it off.<\/p>\n
The debate over payment systems has been ongoing for some time, and app developers have long questioned the fairness of the related fees, Tim Sweeney, the boss of Epic Games, has previously argued that the 30 per cent cut is \u201cdisproportionate\u201d, while other apps such as Spotify have also argued they are unfair and can stifle competition.<\/p>\n