Microsoft said denying Epic access to Apple’s developer tools would “prevent Epic from supporting Unreal Engine on iOS and macOS, and will place Unreal Engine and those game creators that have built, are building, and may build games on it at a substantial disadvantage”.
“Apple’s discontinuation of Epic’s ability to develop and support Unreal Engine for iOS or macOS will harm game creators and gamers,” it added.
Microsoft uses the Unreal engine for iOS and macOS games, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Microsoft would back Epic. At least – it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you know how the gaming industry works, which Apple people obviously do not.
Does microsoft actually have any (native) games on ios?
Microsoft has Forza Street for iOS.
But since they are a big user of Unreal Engine (e.g. Rare with Sea of Thieves), and a huge part of developers for Xbox use the engine, they clearly have interest in protecting the future of the engine.
https://apps.apple.com/app/forza-street/id1453783746
Minecraft, Forza Street and more
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_Game_Studios_video_games
Of course those old grifters back Epic. :eyeroll: After getting the xCloud service shut out of iOS, they’d back anyone tilting against Apple. https://www.windowscentral.com/apple-responds-xbox-project-xcloud-ios-roadblock-citing-store-policies
Nothing to do with games engines. They want xCloud on iOS.