It would appear that large sections of the developer community are firmly behind Epic Games in its battle for a fairer, more open App Store. But not Roblox, which believes Apple’s strict controls enhance safety and security.
The online game platform, which calls itself a metaverse company and boasts almost 55 million daily active users, said in a legal filing this week that the App Store review process adds “greater legitimacy in the eyes of users.”
Roblox supports Apple in fight against Epic
Apple has been embroiled in a legal battle with Epic Games since August 2020, soon after the company banned all Epic titles — including hit battle royale game Fortnite — from the App Store for breaching its rules.
Since then, Apple has faced growing criticism over its App Store policies — and increased scrutiny from developers, lawmakers, and antitrust investigators. But, according to Roblox, the App Store is just fine as it is.
App Store ‘enhances safety and security’
“Apple’s process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security, and provides those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users,” Roblox said in a filing on Thursday, Reuters reports.
That won’t sit well with Epic, which has already argued that Apple gives Roblox a free pass for its app. The platform, which offers access to countless different games, seems to be immune to the rules that prevent other game portals — such as Xbox Game Pass — from gaining App Store approval.
Roblox played a key role in the original Apple vs. Epic trial last year, Reuters reports. The outcome of that largely went in Apple’s favor, but it was ruled that Apple should allow third-party developers to use their own payment systems.
Both Apple and Epic appealed the rulings.
Apple vs. Epic drags on
Apple, much like Roblox, is adamant its strict App Store policies are necessary for ensuring the security and privacy protections that iPhone and iPad users have come to expect from the company’s products and services.
On Thursday, two former CIA directors and 21 former U.S. national security officials also spoke out in Apple’s favor.
