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Microsoft files a statement against Apple in support of Epic Games

Microsoft files a statement against Apple in support of Epic Games

Microsoft’s General Manager for gaming developer experiences, Kevin Gammill filed a statement of support for Epic’s restraining order against Apple on August 23rd.

The filed statement was a response against Apple’s attempt to terminate Epic’s developer account and access to Apple’s SDK and other tools.

If Epic no longer has access to the account and tools it will affect all the game studios and developers that use the Unreal Engine to develop their games.

RELATED: EPIC GAMES FILES LAWSUITS AGAINST APPLE & GOOGLE

This jeopardizes Microsoft’s interests. Microsoft’s Xbox will lose its support for iOS for games made on Unreal Engine. It will either have to let go of all of the user base on iOS & macOS platform or choose an entirely different game engine for developing all of its games.

For instance, Forza Street, a racing game developed my Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios is built on the Unreal Engine and will get majorly affected.

Some other major points mentioned in the filed statement:

  • Epic Games’ Unreal Engine is critical technology
  • Unreal Engine’s sudden loss of support for iOS and macOS would create significant costs and difficult decisions.
  • Apple’s removal of Unreal Engine’s ability to develop updates and improvements for iOS and macOS could also harm already-launched iOS and macOS games built on Unreal Engine
  • Microsoft has an enterprise-wide, multi-year Unreal Engine license agreement and has invested significant resources and engineer time working with and customizing Unreal Engine for its own games on PC, Xbox consoles, and mobile devices (including iOS devices) .

Read the entire statement for details.

Epic has requested the court to not let Apple terminate the access to SDKs and other development tools. It is yet unclear if the request is granted or not.

Spotify and Match Group (Owners of Tinder) have already had issues with Apple in the past, now Microsoft also has joined the fight against Apple, as its interests are at risk too. One thing is clear for sure, Both Epic and Apple are going all out.

The result of the Epic Games lawsuit against Apple has the potential to change the functioning of App Store completely, but only if Epic comes out on top.

It will be interesting to see what other companies come out next, publicly expressing their views on Apple.

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