Microsoft Files Support For Epic In Apple App Store Injunction

Microsoft has filed a document detailing its support for Epic Games injunction which seeks to prevent Apple booting the Fortnite developer from the Apple Developer Program.

Epic's claim is that this would significantly impact third-party developers who use the company's Unreal Engine in their games. Given that Unreal is the most popular tool of its type this is likely to be a significant number of game developers, and Microsoft is filing its support on the basis that it is one of those.

Microsoft suggests that Apple's action would directly impact customers and developers, who will no longer be able to benefit from updates or fixes to the Unreal Engine.

The filing by Kevin Gammil, GM for Gaming Developer Experiences for Microsoft, also points out that developers who are close to completion on games using the Unreal Engine now find themselves in a position where they will be unable to release those games.

With the deadline for cutting off Epic's Developer Account looming, things look set to go nuclear. If Epic's prevails in this hearing it will have a material impact on the way Apple runs the App Store, limiting its ability to take punitive action against developers it believes are bypassing the Store rules.

On the other hand, if Apple wins and is able to shut down Epic completely, it means Apple can continue to hold developers feet to the fire to ensure they comply with rules which it feels protect its customers and in some cases its revenue stream too.