The legal battle between Apple and Epic Games has taken a dramatic turn, with a second judge now implying that Apple may have lied to the court about its handling of key decisions.

This follows similar concerns raised by the original judge, who strongly suggested that Apple had not been truthful about the reasons for its updated App Store policy.

The second judge, tasked with overseeing Apple’s disclosure of key decision-making documents, expressed doubt over a court filing made by Apple, stating that it was “simply not believable”.

A quick recap of the Apple vs Epic lawsuit

The legal battle began when Epic Games introduced its own in-app payment system on iPhones, bypassing the App Store and Apple’s 30% commission. This breach of App Store terms led Apple to remove Epic’s products from the App Store.

The two companies then went to court, where the judge ruled that while Apple didn’t hold a monopoly, it must allow in-app sales outside of its store.

Epic Games Store wins: You can play Fortnite on iOS and Android now

Both Apple and Epic appealed the parts of the ruling they disagreed with, though the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeals. Apple indicated it would comply but proposed charging nearly the same commission on external sales, a move Epic argued went against the judge’s intent.

The judge agreed, showing skepticism toward Apple’s claim that this decision wasn’t financially motivated.

Judge orders full disclosure of documents

Apple was ordered to submit all documents relating to its decision to continue charging commission on external sales, which led to the involvement of Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson.

Apple initially reported that 650,000 documents were relevant, only to later reveal that 1.3 million documents matched the search criteria, just four days before the submission deadline. The judge rejected Apple’s last-minute request for an extension, calling it “bad behavior” and doubting the company’s claim that it had only just realized the increased document count.

The judge expressed concern that Apple may have known about the scope of the project much earlier and failed to disclose it in a timely manner. The late revelation left little time for the court to discuss solutions, such as hiring additional document reviewers.

The judge emphasized that Apple’s last-minute announcement gave the impression of irresponsibility, stating that the company, with its vast resources, could have completed the document review on time if it had wanted to.

Apple’s credibility takes another hit

This isn’t the first time Apple’s credibility has been called into question in this case. The initial judge had already expressed doubts about Apple’s compliance with the court’s orders, and this latest ruling only deepens those concerns.

The judge’s decision to require Apple to produce all documents by the original deadline indicates that the court is growing impatient with Apple’s tactics.

A battle far from over

The Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit continues to be a high-stakes battle over antitrust, commissions, and app store control. With a second judge now doubting Apple’s transparency and compliance, the company faces increasing pressure to explain its actions and prove it is acting in good faith.

As this legal drama unfolds, Apple’s reputation and its business model remain under intense scrutiny.

Featured image credit: Emre Çıtak/Ideogram AI

The Epic Games leak dropped as a bombshell! A recent leak from the store’s closely guarded database has blown the lid off a treasure trove of upcoming titles and secret projects. Originating from EpicDB, details meant for executives’ eyes only are now lighting up forums and social feeds with excitement and speculation

Everything you need to know about the Epic Games leak

The recent Epic Games leak from its store database has caused quite a stir within the gaming community, revealing a wealth of information about upcoming titles and projects that were previously only rumored or speculated upon.

The leak originated from EpicDB, a third-party website that functions similarly to SteamDB. These platforms scrape data from the backend of digital storefronts like the Epic Games Store to provide information such as game listings, price changes, and other metadata. EpicDB specifically accessed and compiled data from Epic Games’ servers, capturing details that were not intended for public release. Here is how the Epic Games Store leak happened:

• These scraping tools typically access the Epic Games Store’s Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that are intended for internal use by Epic Games and its authorized partners. APIs allow for programmatic access to data and functionalities within the Epic Games Store ecosystem.

• In this case, the leak occurred when EpicDB’s scraping tool accessed and retrieved more data than intended or expected. This could be due to a misconfiguration, oversight, or a loophole in Epic Games’ API security measures.
• The leaked information included a wide range of upcoming game titles, codenames for projects in development, and potentially sensitive details about unreleased products. This data was not intended for public dissemination at the time of the Epic Games leak.
• Gaming enthusiasts and industry watchers often monitor platforms like EpicDB for insights into upcoming releases. When unusual or unexpected data appears, it can quickly gain attention and speculation within these communities.

In response to inquiries and growing discussions, Epic Games eventually confirmed the authenticity of the leaked information and here are some of the upcoming titles from the Epic Games leak: Saber Interactive appears to be working on a potential remake or remaster of Turok, while the long-rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake has been essentially confirmed, complete with references to pre-order bonus DLCs. Additionally, Square Enix’s recent confirmation of a PC port for Final Fantasy 16 aligns with leaked information. PlayStation’s trend of porting its exclusives to PC suggests a forthcoming release of The Last of Us PC port, possibly after God of War: Ragnarok. Meanwhile, BioShock 4 is in development under Cloud Chamber, contrasting with Ken Levine’s current project, Judas. Rockstar Games’ project “Semla” hints at a PC port of Red Dead Redemption, judging by its file size, and THQ Nordic seems poised to conclude the Remnant trilogy with Remnant 3.

Epic Games acknowledged that the data was indeed sourced from their backend systems, prompting them to take immediate measures to prevent further unauthorized access and leaks of unpublished product titles. An Epic Games spokesperson informed Eurogamer that measures have been implemented to prevent third-party tools from revealing unpublished product titles in the Epic Games Store catalog moving forward.

Epic Games leak: Full list

According to a Reddit post, here are all the upcoming titles from the Epic Games Store leak:

Rockstar Games:

• Semla (likely Red Dead Redemption PC port)

SIE:

• Testament (Helldivers 2)
• Kondo (Rise of the Ronin?)
• Carrack
• Utah (The Last of Us Part 2)
• Rhodelsland (potentially Spider-Man Miles Morales or Uncharted)

SEGA:

• Terra
• Axel (Streets of Rage or Crazy Taxi)

SEGA of Europe:

• Porridge
• Croquembouche
• Kifli
• CurlyWurly

Microsoft:

• ZMI CTG (possibly related to ZeniMax Media Inc.)

Activision:

• Oranda
• Osiris 2.0 (possibly related to DOOM)

Bethesda:

• Brownie
• Enigma
• Brant (Doom Eternal)
• Pipit

EA:

• chamaelejp (Dragon Age 4)
• offenbach
• R5 (Apex Legends)
• CadetGrey (Battlefield 2042)
• Anole
• Rache
• gundain

Ubisoft:

• Puffpastry
• Profiterole
• Growtopia
• Glosette
• Elymaker
• Melodica

Epic Games Publishing:

• Burger
• Cuttlefish
• Crumhorn
• Hardtack
• Lingonberry
• ProjectV
• Butterkase
• Ziti
• Romeo
• Elrene
• Sinope
• Thebe
• Ersa

Warner Bros:

• Sundance
• Project Dinner
• Farkleberry
• Hydra (Wonder Woman game)

Saber Interactive:

• Turok (remaster or remake)
• The Knightling (likely KOTOR Remake)

Paradox Interactive:

• Project Batman (Bloodlines 2)
• Project Highlander (Europa Universalis V)
• Project Wiseguy

Square Enix/Square Enix Japan:

• Butterkaka
• Yamane
• SanJose (Tomb Raider bundle)
• Agnolotti
• Skobeloff (Final Fantasy 16)
• Momo (Final Fantasy 9)

THQ Nordic GmbH:

• Remnant 3
• glaive (Warhammer: Vermintide 3)

Gearbox:

• Sakura
• Zodiac
• Augite
• Blanc
• bifrost b
• bifrost a

Plaion/Deep Silver:

• Grape
• Kaus
• Atria
• Kobe

2K:

• Parkside (BioShock 4)
• Hex (possibly Civ 6)
• Lilium
• Silicon (possibly Civ 4)
• Sitka
• Macaron
• DNU 2
• OAK2

SNK Corporation:

• DAIFUKU_Development (Metal Slug Attack Reloaded)

505 Games:

• Awasis
• Cerise
• Flytrap

11 Bit Studios:

• Chopin

Rebellion:

• Archipeligo
• Storm
• Project_Liberty

Nacon:

• Bovinae
• The Mound

Robot Entertainment:

• Burst

BANDAI NAMCO:

• Balboa
• Starburst
• Dragonfly
• GreenSheen
• LaserLemon

Innersloth:

• Potassium (potentially Among Us 2, which was cancelled)

Featured image credit: Eray Eliaçık/Bing

The gaming community buzzes with speculation about an alleged Epic Games hack. Mogilevich claims they’ve breached Epic’s defenses, potentially stealing personal data like emails and passwords, as well as important game code. Epic Games already started to investigate it, but the situation is not clear yet.

Did Epic Games hack?

There’s been a lot of talk about a possible Epic Games hack, the minds behind Fortnite. It’s being reported that a group called Mogilevich may have gotten their hands on a bunch of sensitive data, like emails, passwords, and even the code used to make Epic’s games.

The group asserted that they breached Epic Games’ servers, seizing 189GB of data. Beyond acquiring source code and an assortment of additional data, reports suggest that personal information was also compromised. Allegedly, any interested buyers, including Epic Games, purportedly have until March 4th to procure the pilfered data. However, it is not clear whether the Epic Games hack happened or not.

Mogilevich tells me they are selling the data for 15K and will not provide proof of the breach unless you are looking to purchase it and show "proof of funds."

Doesn't feel real. https://t.co/zTts0Zklfb

— Lawrence Abrams (@LawrenceAbrams) February 27, 2024

This is a big deal because it means that people’s personal info could be at risk, and the code that Epic uses to build their games might have been stolen too. If that code gets out, it could cause all sorts of problems for Epic and the people who play their games.

Epic Games has responded by saying they’re investigating it, but they haven’t found any solid evidence of a hack yet.

“We are investigating but there is currently zero evidence that these claims are legitimate. Mogilievich has not contacted Epic or provided any proof of the veracity of these allegations. When we saw these allegations, which were a screenshot of a darkweb webpage in a Tweet from a third party, we began investigating within minutes and reached out to Mogilevich for proof.”
– An Epic Games spokesperson said in a statement

For now, players are being told to be cautious and take steps like changing their passwords to protect themselves. It’s a reminder that in today’s digital world, we all need to be careful about our online security. Hopefully, Epic Games can get to the bottom of this and keep everyone’s information safe.

Disney x Epic Games: Disney’s $1.5 billion Fortnite bet

What can you do about the alleged Epic Games hack?

If you’re concerned about the alleged Epic Games hack, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Change your password: If you have an account with Epic Games, consider changing your password to a strong, unique one. This can help prevent unauthorized access to your account even if your login credentials were compromised.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. This can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
• Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank accounts and credit cards for any suspicious activity. If you notice any unauthorized charges or unusual transactions, report them to your financial institution immediately.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from Epic Games and reputable news sources for any official announcements or developments regarding the alleged hack. Being informed can help you take appropriate action to protect yourself.
• Be cautious online: Be wary of any emails, messages, or websites that seem suspicious or ask for personal information. Phishing attempts often increase following security breaches, so exercise caution when interacting online.
• Report suspicious activity: If you believe hackers have targeted you or have encountered any suspicious activity related to the alleged hack, report it to Epic Games and relevant authorities. They can investigate further and take appropriate action.

By taking these proactive measures, you can help safeguard your personal information and minimize the potential impact of the alleged Epic Games hack.

Who is Mogilevich?

The ransomware group known as Mogilevich burst onto the scene on February 20th with an attack on Infiniti USA, a Nissan subsidiary, claiming to have seized 22 gigabytes of sensitive data. Within days, they struck again, targeting Bazaarvoice, a global content firm. Their latest victims include Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and gaming giant Epic Games.

The true motives and affiliations of the group remain unknown.

Featured image credit: Epic Games

Big collaborations can spark a lot of buzz. Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about a major partnership between Disney x Epic Games. Some people are wondering: Did Disney buy Fortnite? Well, not exactly.

Did Disney buy Fortnite?

No, Disney did not buy Fortnite. The collaboration between Epic Games and Disney involves Disney taking a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games as part of a partnership agreement. This means Disney has made a significant investment in Epic Games, but it does not entail Disney acquiring Fortnite outright. Instead, the collaboration aims to merge the worlds of Disney’s extensive character catalog with the Fortnite universe to create a new digital entertainment experience.

Disney x Epic Games deal explained

The collaboration between Disney and Epic Games marks a significant milestone in the realms of gaming and entertainment. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the deal:

• Partnership announcement: Epic Games and Disney teamed up to work together on a big project.
• Disney’s investment: Disney put $1.5 billion into Epic Games, showing they believe in Epic’s ideas.
• Big blans: They want to create a huge digital world where Disney characters, like those from Marvel and Star Wars, can hang out with Fortnite characters.
• Using technology: They’ll use Epic’s cool Unreal Engine technology to make this digital world feel real and exciting.
• Connected with Fortnite: You’ll be able to hop between this new world and Fortnite easily, so it’s all connected.
• More than just Fortnite: Epic Games wants to do more than just Fortnite, so they’re making other games like Lego Fortnite and Rocket Racing.
• Online shopping: You’ll be able to buy Disney-themed stuff in the Fortnite game, like outfits and items, which is pretty cool.
• Characters in the game: Characters from Disney movies, like Star Wars and Marvel, will show up in Fortnite as playable characters, which is fun for fans.
• Events and more: They’ve already done some cool events together in Fortnite, and they plan to do even more stuff like that in the future.
• Release date: We don’t know exactly when everything will be ready, but it seems it won’t be too long before we can explore this new digital world.

In short, Disney and Epic Games are teaming up to make something big and exciting for gamers and Disney fans.

Disney buys the Bible rights rumor explained

What does the Disney x Epic Games deal mean for the sector?

First, it means we’re likely to see even bigger and more exciting digital worlds. By bringing Disney’s famous characters into Fortnite’s gameplay, the deal opens up new possibilities for immersive experiences. This partnership could lead to better technology in games. Epic’s Unreal Engine is already top-notch, but with Disney’s involvement, we might see even more impressive graphics and storytelling in future games.

Disney x Epic Games deal shows that games are becoming more connected across different devices. With this deal, players can seamlessly hop between the new Disney universe and Fortnite, setting a trend for other games. Also, there’s a chance for game companies to make more money in creative ways. By selling Disney-themed stuff in Fortnite, like outfits and items, Epic Games can tap into a whole new market.

Collaborations like this highlight the potential for other brands to team up with game developers. This could lead to even more exciting crossovers and experiences for players. Epic Games expanding into different types of games shows that the industry is diversifying. This could inspire other developers to explore new genres and ideas.

Lastly, the focus on community and social interaction in this deal reminds us how important games are for bringing people together. Creating shared digital spaces where players can hang out and have fun is becoming increasingly important in gaming.

Overall, the Disney x Epic Games deal is a big deal for the industry, and it’s likely to shape the future of gaming and entertainment for years to come.

Featured image credit: Fortnite

Everyone is wondering how to get their Fortnite refund money and what course this fine is on following the FTC and Epic Games settlement. The studio that made Fortnite, Epic Games, just announced that it will pay the FTC $520 million as part of a settlement. The money comes from two separate complaints about invasions of privacy and tricking players into buying things they didn’t want.

These penalties represent “the largest penalty ever obtained for violating an FTC rule,” as stated by the commission.

Fortnite refund process started: FTC & Epic Games settlement explained

As part of a settlement for alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, Epic Games has agreed to pay a record $275 million in fines and offer a record $245 million in refunds to customers who were charged for in-game items they did not order. So, we explain how to make a Fortnite refund claim. Keep reading and learn everything you need about the Epic Games settlement.

The FTC claims in its lawsuit that Epic violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by allowing children to communicate with adults online without their permission. FTC claims Epic employees reported default settings issues as early as 2017.

“Epic’s matchmaking children and teens with strangers while broadcasting players’ account names and imposing live on-by-default voice and text communications has caused substantial injury,” states the complaint. “Children and teens have been bullied, threatened, and harassed within Fortnite, including sexually. Children and teens have also been exposed to dangerous and psychologically traumatizing issues, such as suicide and self-harm, through Fortnite. And the few relevant privacy and parental controls Epic has introduced over time have not meaningfully alleviated these harms or empowered players to avoid them.”

FTC

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint against Epic Games, alleging that the company “deployed design tactics, known as dark patterns, to deceive millions of gamers into making inadvertent purchases” and “allowed youngsters rack up unlawful charges without parental involvement.”

Online “dark patterns” are used to trick users into taking actions they hadn’t planned to take. The FTC said that gamers were being charged without their knowledge for in-game purchases because “Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button layout.”

Epic believes the gaming industry should make it normal practice after the settlement to assume that children are playing games that are inappropriate for their age:

“Fortnite is rated Teen and is directed at an older teen and college-aged audience. We recently rolled out Cabined Accounts, a new type of Epic account that provides a tailored experience that is safe and inclusive for younger players. Players under 13, or their country’s age of digital consent, whichever is higher, will be able to play Fortnite while they wait for parental consent, but in a tailored environment where certain features, such as chat and purchasing, are disabled.”

Epic Games

In addition to the fine, Epic will have to delete any personal information it shared through Fortnite in violation of COPPA laws. It will also not be able to allow phone and text chats for kids and teens in the future without the permission of their parents.

Epic says that “games should go above and beyond to make sure players even more clearly understand when they are making a transaction with real money or with virtual currencies.” This will keep players from spending real money or virtual currency by accident. According to this new approach, Fornite refunds will start.

Games like Fortnite, which are free to enter and play but provide cosmetic upgrades for a fee, are known as “freemium.” The FTC settlement might make some game developers think twice about using this type of business model.

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Fortnite has become extremely popular, with a large and active player base. It has also been a source of debate, with some people saying that it is too addicting and encourages people to be violent.

Below you can watch the latest trailer of Fortnite.

Who is eligible for the Fortnite refund?

The Federal Trade Commission laid out who will be eligible for Fortnite refunds once the “refund scheme” is up and running. Here is what the rules state:

• Those whose children used their credit cards to buy games from the Epic Games Store between January 2017 and November 2018 without their knowledge or consent.
• Fortnite gamers between January 2017 and September 2022 who were charged V-Bucks for unnecessary in-game products (such as cosmetics, llamas, or battle passes)
• Affected Fortnite accounts are those whose users disputed transactions on their credit cards between January 2017 and September 2022, resulting in the account being locked.

How to make a Fortnite lawsuit claim?

There is no rush to verify your Fortnite refund eligibility at this time because this settlement is still in its beginning.

Eligible players for Fortnite refund will soon be notified through email, but in the meanwhile, they can keep a watch on the FTC’s website for further information on the refund program. The Federal Trade Commission warns that you should never pay anyone for a refund in exchange for a charge, even the FTC itself.

You don’t have to take any action if you suspect you may be entitled to a payment. FTC will reach all customers who have paid for in-game items through email as soon as additional details reveal about the refund program.

Fans should also know how to refund Fortnite skins via Return Tickets outside of the Epic Games settlement Fortnite refund.

To receive your V-bucks back if you return a purchase, Epic Games gives each account three “Return Tickets.” Check out these instructions on how to use RTs to exchange items bought from the Epic Games store:

• Launch the game.
• To reach the primary menu from the lobby, use the panel to the left of the main entrance.
• Choose the Preferences gear button.
• To request help or a refund, select the appropriate option from the menu.
• Select Cancel Order or Go Back to Shop.
• Alternatively: Choose Options from the Menu
• To access your Account And Privacy options, select the silhouette.
• Just go to your Account page and select either Return or Cancel Purchase. A full inventory will appear if you’ve made qualifying in-game purchases during the last 30 days.
• Use the drop-down menu to pick the item you wish to return. Select the Return Ticket option.
• In the end, you’ll get a confirmation screen. The returned items must be inspected before they are accepted.
• Select Yes if you are sure you want to continue.
• Once you click Yes, there will be no turning back.
• The number of V-Bucks added to your account will be displayed on the Success screen.
• Click OK to go back to the page where you can cancel or return your purchase.

Keep in mind that you can only ever get three more Return Tickets in any given year.

Canceling a purchase is an alternative to using Return Tickets to get your money back for Fortnite skins and stuff.

You can request a refund within 24 hours of making a V-bucks transaction. You will also be reminded in-game that you cannot use the item while it is equipped.

Cancellations are limited to once per item.

Epic Games settlement amount

As we previously mentioned, the total Epic Games settlement amount reached $520 million in total.

After FTC allegations that Epic Games charged parents and other players for undesired items and froze the accounts of consumers who protested erroneous charges, a $245 million settlement was agreed upon, the biggest amount the FTC has ever paid in a gaming case.

The remaining $275 million was a fine for allegedly breaking the COPPA guideline by collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 without alerting their parents or gaining their verifiable consent.

Epic Games settlement amount per person

How much do you get as a Fortnite refund? Epic Games settlement amount per person depends on how many people apply. So, it is unclear at the time of writing.

Epic Games settlement payout date

Epic Games has not yet committed to a schedule for processing refund claims or sending payments to qualifying gamers. But Fortnite refunds will start as soon as the necessary information is gathered.

Check out the official settlement website for more information.

Data breaches and hacks are today’s biggest problems. Check out the latest data breaches and hacks before we continue: CHI Health data breach, Facebook data breach, Uber security data breach, American Airlines data breach, Medibank cyber attack, and Binance hack.

What is COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)?

To safeguard the personal information of children under the age of 13, the federal government passed the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in 1998.

The legislation was passed in 1998 by the United States Congress and went into effect in April of 2000. The FTC is responsible for overseeing COPPA (FTC).

International developers and researchers gathered earlier this year for the ‘Big Data VR Challenge’, hosted by games industry giants Epic Games and biomedical research charity Wellcome Trust. Their mission was to provide virtual reality solutions to researchers who need to manipulate and visualise vast data sets in real-time. This contest represents a significant and promising collaboration between technology development leaders and healthcare researchers.

The Winner

London based Masters of Pie and 3D software consultancy Lumacode joined forces to produce the winning solution, Lumapie. Building an immersive environment with the ALSPAC Children of the 90s dataaset, the team produced a scalable and fully functional visualization in the Unreal 4 engine.

“All the teams created solutions that address the hurdles of analyzing large data sets in new and ingenious ways,” said Mike Gamble, the European Territory Manager, Epic Games. “LumaPie in particular have built a brilliant VR application that solves the challenge. They kicked it into the goal.”

(image credit: Morizio Pesce)