Opinion: Epic can battle Apple without the collateral damage

Despite Epic’s good versus evil narrative of defying the App Store monopoly for the little guy, the reality is a bit more complicated. — AFP

Everyone has an agenda. That’s especially true for corporations like Apple Inc and Fortnite-maker Epic Games Inc. But while the two powerful technology companies jockey back and forth in their continuing public battle, they need to recognise that their brinksmanship has a severe cost. Not only is it affecting their own businesses, but it is taking a significant toll on their customers and developer partners as well.

The fight began earlier this month when Epic unilaterally updated its Fortnite app to circumvent Apple App Store’s in-app payment system and 30% commission fees. A flurry of punitive actions and court filings followed between the two companies. Apple removed the game from its App Store, prompting Epic to file an antitrust lawsuit and release a parody video of the tech giant’s famous 1984 ad.