Tech

Why Epic can’t afford to lose the Unreal Engine in its legal fight with Apple – The Verge

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2020

Epic’s legal fight with Apple over the future of Fortnite has quickly evolved into an existential battle for one of the game studio’s most lucrative and important assets: the Unreal Engine platform.

After removing Fortnite from the App Store, Apple targeted Epic’s other developer account tied to its game engine, putting at risk the company’s licensing business by threatening to cut iOS and macOS support. Epic secured a last-minute temporary restraining order granted late Monday evening to protect the business in the short term, but the fate of the Unreal Engine is still up in the air — endangering an entire ecosystem of third-party tools that rely on the engine.

As Epic warned in a court motion last week, Apple’s moves against the Unreal Engine would threaten the software behind “hundreds of video games, the human brain, Baby Yoda, and space flight.” Most of those projects have no obvious connection to Epic Games and Fortnite, but they rely on the company and its tools to do their work. And as Epic and Apple settle in for years of legal warfare, those projects are likely to be disrupted too.

Developed in 1998 alongside the first-person shooter Unreal, the Unreal Engine has become a cornerstone of Epic’s business and the gaming industry at large. It’s currently used by dozens of game makers, Hollywood production and special effects studios, and other firms in the 3D rendering and computer graphics businesses.

The engine is also how Epic builds its own games, including Fortnite and past major hits like Gears of War and Unreal Tournament. Scores of big-budget game makers have also forgone custom, in-house engines for Epic’s, like Gearbox Software (Borderlands 3), and Riot Games (Valorant), and Square Enix (Final Fantasy VII Remake). Epic licensed the software to thousands of developers who don’t have the resources to build their own engine, in exchange for a five percent royalty on whatever’s created. That licensing has turned Epic’s Unreal Engine into a popular toolkit even for major, big-budget games, rivaled only by the more mobile-focused Unity.

Now, the engine is at risk of becoming collateral damage in the company’s fight over in-app payments in Fortnite. When Apple removed Fortnite by revoking Epic’s primary app developer account, it also planned to revoke the developer account Epic uses to maintain the Unreal Engine on iOS, as part of its policy of removing linked accounts after a breach of contract.

The court has restrained Apple from revoking that account for the next few weeks, but it remains to be seen whether it will keep the account protected for the full duration of the trial. (A temporary injunction hearing to settle the matter is scheduled for September 28th.) But if Apple prevails — either in the preliminary injunction or in the broader case — Epic’s testing tools for the Unreal Engine will suffer the same fate as Fortnite, cutting the system off from updates and broader development.

If Apple successfully fends off the injunction next month, the effect won’t be immediate, and games running on the Unreal Engine will keep working on iOS — at least until a major bug pops up. But the longer-term implications could be disastrous, especially for iOS game developers. Because Apple controls the process by which developers create, test, and then submit iOS apps and any future updates for review, Unreal’s inability to support the iOS platform means Epic can’t incorporate new features of the operating system or implement updates and bug fixes that a game developer might need to keep the product running and functional.

“If Epic lost access to Apple’s developer tools, that wouldn’t break any current apps using Unreal in the App Store (or on other platforms),” Riley Testut, a popular game emulation developer who now operates an alternative mobile app store called AltStore, tells The Verge. “The problem is more for developers going forward; if Epic can’t use Apple’s tools, they can’t release bug fixes or new features. This most likely would mean Unreal-based games would break eventually in future versions of iOS and macOS, and Epic would be unable to do anything about it.”

Microsoft raised a similar point in court, in a declaration submitted last week. “Developing a game using different game engines for different platforms may be prohibitively expensive and difficult. In any event, it is not as cost-effective as using a game engine that supports different platforms,” explained Kevin Gammill, Microsoft’s general manager for gaming developer experiences, in a declaration of support for Epic that Microsoft filed. As Gammill paints it, Apple terminating Epic’s account would force it to “choose between abandoning its customers and potential customers on the iOS and macOS platforms or choosing a different game engine when preparing to develop new games.”

Gammill specifically cited Microsoft’s Forza Street, a mobile version of its Turn 10 Studios racing franchise, as an example of a game that relies on iOS support in the Unreal Engine. “Even uncertainty about the Unreal Engine’s ability to continue supporting iOS and macOS will make it less likely for Microsoft (and, I believe, other game creators) to select Unreal Engine for their projects,” he wrote. “When game creators are planning development projects, which can last for years, it is important to have confidence that the chosen engine will continue to be available on and support all platforms on which the game creators plan to distribute their games.”

Unreal Engine is primarily used for the development of console and PC games, but it has a growing mobile business that’s become increasingly important as the game industry has shifted toward cross-platform play. Epic specifically touts a developer toolkit that works in tandem with Unreal Engine, called Epic Online Services, that allows games to take advantage of the technology developed initially for Fortnite. The engine’s cross-platform nature is a selling point that makes it one of the go-to platforms for building virtual worlds. Without an Apple developer account, Epic can’t promise developers interested in iOS any of those benefits, an unwelcome shock as its main competitor Unity prepares to go public.

In Monday’s hearing, an Epic lawyer argued that even just the threat of Apple terminating the account associated with the Unreal Engine has sent developers “fleeing” from the platform. “So far as Epic is concerned, the Unreal Engine will be actually destroyed. It will no longer be a usable engine,” argued Katherine Forrest of the law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, which is representing Epic in the case. “If Epic cannot offer that with the Unreal Engine, Unreal Engine will cease to exist. We’re receiving information from developers saying they’re fleeing the Unreal Engine now.”

For companies that are also building smaller, less graphics-intensive projects — like indie games — that can be ported to multiple platforms, the lack of iOS support for Unreal Engine would be a deal-breaker. For a game developer, switching to another engine often means scrapping almost every hour of work on an ongoing project and starting entirely from scratch.

The Unreal Engine is also increasingly important for Hollywood projects using real-time rendering. In particular, Disney and Lucasfilm have turned to Epic’s engine as a tool for filmmaking, using it to create virtual sets, characters, and animations for large Star Wars projects, including Solo, Rogue One, and The Mandalorian.

More than half of the first season of The Mandalorian was in fact shot using custom LED walls that displayed virtual sets, all powered by the Unreal Engine to allow the crew to see in real time what the shot was going to look like weeks and months before post-production and special effects teams finished the final product. Disney and Lucasfilm did not respond to a request for comment on how developing Star Wars projects may be affected by the ongoing litigation.

Unreal Engine is also used by automakers like Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen to help design cars using visualization and other software processes. Architectural firms use the engine for similar reasons, allowing those companies to perform real-time visualizations of in-progress projects. Epic also licenses Unreal for broadcasting and live event production, with the engine capable of producing real-time graphics, overlays, and other real-time rendered assets.

One high-profile example is The Weather Channel’s now-viral mixed reality segments that blend the effects and visuals of simulated natural disasters around real-world hosts in the studio, all using Unreal Engine.

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Many of those projects don’t require iOS functionality, but they may run their backend systems on macOS, which will be affected in a more limited way. Without macOS support in Unreal Engine, Epic loses access to macOS testing tools and the ability to issue speedy updates that may contain bug fixes and security patches. Apple also now requires notarization — in other words, Apple approval — of third-party apps even on macOS so long as they have a developer ID. Without that developer ID or notarization, Unreal Engine users would have to effectively seek out updates and click through security warnings Apple imposes upon third-party software it has not reviewed.

“Imagine losing access to your Google account, and everything that comes with it,” one iOS developer, who wished not to be named for fear of repercussions from speaking negatively about Apple, tells The Verge. “Apple’s very much moving to a Mac that requires software to be signed and notarized with Apple, and Epic would no longer be able to do that. Right now, trying to run unsigned software on the Mac shows scary warnings and can be sidestepped. In the future, not so certain.”

The developer says, like with iOS, the effects of losing macOS support won’t be felt immediately, but the risk might scare companies away. “Because of that uncertainty, developers would no longer be able to rely on Unreal Engine to support Apple’s platforms. For example, Epic would not be able to release their tools to support Apple Silicon, so effectively it would be the end of the line for Unreal Engine on the Mac,” they said.

It’s too early to tell whether the rhetoric of Epic’s legal team — and claims the Unreal Engine would be “absolutely destroyed” — is hyperbole, or whether Apple really does have the power to cut off a multibillion-dollar company at the knees by terminating a single developer account or even just threatening to do so. But Epic has committed to continuing its fight without walking back the Fortnite update that initiated its unprecedented showdown with Apple. And Apple, it’s now clear, is willing to do everything in its power to ensure Epic doesn’t blaze a trail other developers may be keen on following.

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Tech

Ottawa orders TikTok’s Canadian arm to be dissolved

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2024

Anne Joseph

The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.

The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.

However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.

“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.

At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.

A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”

Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.

Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.

Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.

Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.

While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.

Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.

The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

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Health

Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Tech

Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

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