Apple Sues Everybody

 

This month apple in its continuing battle with Epic Games the creators of the video game Fortnight. Apple sued The technology giant Samsung and Valve, creators of the gaming platform Steam. These  companies aren’t even associated with the Apple vs Epic Games, but have been ordered by Apple to turn over documents and information about how much money they make off of content sold on  the Steam's gaming service 

 Apple ordered Valve to turn over data on 436 games on the Steam platform and financial data on 30,000 games sold in the last six years. When confused Valve  lawyers asked why they were being sued in their virtual hearing they were told by presiding California Judge Thomas Hixson.

“It’s my understanding, for lack of a better word, Apple has salted the earth with subpoenas, so don’t worry, it’s not just you. “

Apple is choosing a scorched earth policy by suing anyone and everyone in the hope game studios will be afraid to deviate from Apple's strict rules regarding how much Apple make per sale and microtransactions. This will only make studios weary of allowing Apple to sell games they created  

It has come down to Apple feeling emboldened enough to sue any studio whether or not

the even sell their games on the Apple Store app and to be clear, Valve is first and foremost intended for PC's. This to heavy handed approach seems like a bid to try and control the gaming market and tactics like this ultimately backfire. It’s very strange to see a company sue the very people needed to put content on its app  

At the time of writing Valve has 26.4 million users. The Court proceeding are schedules to start in April.

by Ted Dolby

Gamilon Staff Writer