The ongoing legal fight between Epic Games and Apple just hit another wall. Apple recently asked the judge handling the case to order a formal settlement conference, hoping to negotiate a private deal. Now, Epic Games has officially filed its response, telling the court that it sees very little value in being forced into these discussions right now.
While Epic is willing to talk, the game developer wants a deal that helps everyone, not just itself.
Epic questions the point of forced legal discussions
Last week, Apple proposed a new fee structure that would charge up to a 15% commission on outside purchases. On that same day, the company also filed a motion asking Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to order a confidential settlement conference. Apple argued that talking things out privately might resolve the remaining issues without dragging out the legal process.
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Epic Games responded by saying it is totally open to direct talks, but only if Apple brings a serious proposal that creates real competition and helps all developers. Epic made it clear that sitting in a court-mandated conference room will not magically push things forward at this stage. Still, the developer noted that if the judge orders the meeting, it will show up and participate in good faith.
The dispute centers on fees and smaller developers
Apple has spent a lot of time trying to limit the impact of this case to just Epic Games. Since this is not a class action lawsuit, Apple argues that any court orders about outside payments should only apply to Epic. The courts have pushed back on that idea, and Epic continues to state that its fight is meant to help the broader developer community.
If Apple simply offers a sweet deal just for Epic, it is unlikely to be accepted. Epic wants widespread changes to the App Store ecosystem, while Apple naturally wants to protect its fee structure. Now, everyone is waiting to see if the judge decides to force the two sides into a room or let the legal process play out.
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