Epic says that Apple is going to cut off its access to iOS and macOS dev tools

Last week, Fortnite developer Epic Games launched a fight against Apple and Google, standing up to their app store policies. Epic launched a new direct payment system in Fortnite, a blatant violation of Apple's App Store policies, which require developers to use Apple's own payment system, where it can take a 30% cut. Fortnite was removed from the App Store, and within minutes, Epic had lawsuits ready to go, along with a take on Apple's 1984 commercial that was definitely prepared prior to that day's events.

Now, the company says that Apple is going to discontinue Epic's developer account, cutting the company off from iOS and macOS developer tools. The account will be shut down beginning on August 28, so presumably, that's how long Apple is giving Epic to kiss the ring.

Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and has informed Epic that on Friday, August 28 Apple will terminate all our developer accounts and cut Epic off from iOS and Mac development tools. We are asking the court to stop this retaliation. Details here: https://t.co/3br1EHmyd8
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) August 17, 2020

Epic, however, does not seem like it's planning to back down any time soon. As mentioned above, the lawsuits and marketing materials were clearly ready before direct payments were introduced.

If we don’t fight for our rights where we stand, we’ll eventually run out of places to retreat to, and by then we’ll be too weak and divided to win. This is why developers need to fight the store monopolies HERE and NOW!
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 17, 2020

Apple's 30% vig is one of the most well-known parts of its App Store policy. It's what keeps apps from being fully functional, or keeps them more expensive. For example, users still can't buy a book in the Kindle app. Not only is Amazon not allowed to sell you a book in the app without having to give Apple 30% of the price of the book, but it can't even tell you that you can buy it through a web browser. Other companies have went ahead and started charging an extra 30% on top of regular subscription prices.