Microsoft has thrown its weight behind Epic Games in a continuing legal battle with Apple.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Apple pulled hugely popular game Fortnite from its App Store after Epic deliberately broke its rules in protest at Apple's policies.

In an escalation, Apple then said it would pull Epic's access to developer tools on iOS and Mac.

But Microsoft said this would damage a "critical technology" for many third-party game creators.

That is because Epic also owns the Unreal Engine - a tool widely used by developers from other studios to build games, virtual-reality VR experiences and special effects in major television shows and films.

Microsoft uses the technology itself.