{"id":29896,"date":"2020-08-26T16:04:43","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T20:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=29896"},"modified":"2020-08-27T15:28:42","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T19:28:42","slug":"epic-will-stop-updating-fortnite-for-ios-and-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/26\/epic-will-stop-updating-fortnite-for-ios-and-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic Will Stop Updating Fortnite for iOS and Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"

Epic<\/a> (via MacRumors<\/a>):<\/p>\n

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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Juli Clover<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Epic Games confirmed to The Verge<\/a><\/em> that cross-platform play will not be possible, and iPhone, iPad, and Mac Fortnite players will only be able to play with one another. That means Fortnite users who have friends on other platforms will not be able to play with those friends.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

John Gruber<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

So what happens to the current version of Fortnite that’s already installed on iOS devices and is about to be out-of-date? Does it keep working, despite being out of date (and despite containing Epic’s rule-violating custom payment processing)? Or does Apple revoking Epic’s developer license invoke the kill switch that disables installed copies of Fortnite? What about the ability to re-download the current version if you (or a family-sharing member) previously downloaded it?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Surely, Apple will leave the installed apps in place and let customers blame Epic for missing the latest season and for any incompatibilities with new OS versions. Disabling installed apps would make Apple the bad guy and make users worry about their other purchases disappearing.<\/p>\n\n

Jason Snell<\/a>:<\/p>\n

The thing is, I don’t really back all the actions of either party in this kerfuffle. Instead, I’m squarely on the side of the people who use technology. Let’s leave aside the tech giants. What are the outcomes that would most benefit regular users?<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

I’d like Apple to loosen up on its App Store restrictions, without sacrificing security and safety. I’d like Apple to let reputable companies process payments for digital goods directly, but I don’t want to pause every time an app asks me for money in fear that it’s a scam.<\/p>\n

Above all else, I think that Apple has brought this scrutiny upon itself by failing to adapt to the times.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Eric Stromberg<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Ah yes, the quaint early days of App Store fights.<\/p>\n

iBeer v. Apple foretold Epic v. Apple.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n