Though promoting a rival game does not seem like the best idea for most if not all developers, it makes perfect sense for Epic Games CEO and founder Tim Sweeney. Replying to a tweet from the official account of the App Store, Sweeney hyped an update for PUBG Mobile, which uses Unreal Engine 4, in a move clearly intended as a jab at Apple over the ongoing legal battle between it and Epic Games.
While this move does help Epic Games promote the Unreal Engine, it is intriguing that Sweeney is promoting what is perhaps Fornite‘s most direct competition on mobile platforms. This is especially the case when considering that the Unreal Engine can be used for many genres of games ranging from first-person shooters to sports games. Promoting another battle royale in the form of PUBG Mobile is an interesting move where Sweeney can demonstrate the value of the Unreal Engine and how its use is widespread across the industry.
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When the lawsuit bought by Epic Games against Apple first occurred (as a result of Apple removing Fortnite from the App Store due to the game attempting to circumvent its system of in-game payments), there were concerns that there would be innocent casualties. After all, PUBG and other games use the Unreal Engine developed by Epic.
Thankfully, this will not be the case as Epic was granted a restraining order that would prevent its removal from the Apple Development Program, enabling the company to continue to help PUBG and smaller games. The tools available on the Apple Development Program allow Epic Games to update the Unreal Engine. If the Cary, North Carolina-based developer was to be removed from the Program, it would jeopardize the entire third-party developer ecosystem based around the versatility and user-friendliness of the Unreal Engine. In what could be a shrewd move by Sweeney, promoting a rival game can get the public to support Epic Games throughout what will be a long legal battle.
It will ultimately be the word of the court that will decide the outcome of the lawsuit and not the public’s. Though it is humorous to see such a light-hearted remark, the importance of this case cannot be understated. It will have far-reaching implications across the entire industry, so much so that Microsoft has made the decision to support Epic Games to ensure that the Unreal Engine can continue to be used on mobile platforms.
PUBG Mobile is available on Android and iOS.