Fortnite is one of the world’s most popular video game on iOS and Android devices. It have an enormous fanbase and more than 350m registered players.
Recenty, the news of feud between Fortnite and worlds most dominant marketplace- Apple Store, took the internet by storm.
If you just heard about it and do not have a fair idea about, what’s happening out there between these two powerful companies. You’re at the right place. Let’s have a look at Everything You Want to Know about it:
Epic Game’s Dramatic Move
Epic Games made a dramatic movie by taking an unfortunate step. On Thursday, Epic implemented its own in-app payment system to avoid the 30% cut by Apple store (Apple takes 30% cut of sales from its compulsory payment system). This new update allows player to buy in-game currency at lower rate if bought directly from Epic Store.
Apple Removes Fortnite
Following the Epic’s move, Apple removed the enormously popular video game ‘Fortnite’ from their App store for violating their in-app payment guidelines, further preventing Iphone users to download the game on iOS devices.
This escalated a dispute between these two major companies.
Epic Criticizes Apple’s iconic Ad
Epics approach to implement new payment system seems to provoke Apple intentionally. Epic Game reacted quick, by filing a lawsuit against Apple, for maintaining its 100% monopoly over the iOS in-app payment processing market.
Epic Games didn’t miss this golden chance to mock and criticize Apple’s most iconic ad. They shared a video spoof in Fortnite and YouTube, calling out supporters to join the fight against Apple and #FreeFortnite.
Epic sued Apple
Following the Fortnite’s removal, Epic Filed an antitrust civil lawsuit against Apple. The legal complaint, filed in US District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking injunctive relief to “allow fair competition” in mobile app distribution.
“Epic brings this suit to end Apple’s unfair and anti-competitive actions that Apple undertakes to unlawfully maintain its monopoly in two distinct, multibillion dollar markets: (i) the iOS App Distribution Market, and (ii) the iOS In-App Payment Processing Market(each as defined below),” the complaint reads.
Epic is not seeking monetary compensation from this Court for the injuries it has suffered. Nor is Epic seeking favorable treatment for itself, a single company. Instead, Epic is seeking injunctive relief to allow fair competition in these two key markets that directly affect hundreds of millions of consumers and tens of thousands, if not more, of third-party app developers.”
Epic thinks it’s unfair that Apple uses own payment system to take 30 percent of all in-app revenue on the digital goods that make up the entirety of Fortnite’s business model.
Epic Teases Apple Users
Apple removed an enormously popular video game ‘Fortnite’ from their App store, preventing users to download the game on iOS devices.
Epic rallied with Fortnite players teasing that they will miss the next upcoming season. “Because Apple has BLOCKED your ability to update, when Fortnite Chapter 2 – Season 4 releases you will NOT be able to play the new Season on iOS,” Epic said in a blog post titled “#FreeFortnite.”
Epic is calling out Fortnite players to tweet at Apple to demand updates and a choice in-app payment platforms.
Google Kicked Fortnite
Following the Apple’s action, Google also kicked off the Fortnite from App store for implementing own payment system. Epic sued Apple when kicked off from the Apple App store by sharing a parody on 1984 commercial.
Google also takes the 30 percent cuts, the game content must use the Google Play In-app Billing as the method of payment.
Google’s Statement:
The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.
Fortnite is no longer available on PlayStore. However, users can still play and download Fortnite on Android Platform directly theugh their own launcher.
This is not the first time Epic and Google clashed, both have a history, as Fortnite pulled off from playstore in 2018 and began distributing game directly through their own Fortnite launcher.
Google Play Store has been a go-to store option on Androd since long. Because of feud and monopoly over in-app payment system, Epic is encouraging users to try out different app store in market which are already in competition like – Samsung Store.
Epic is offering 20% discount to users; “You’ll find that V-Bucks and real-money offers are now discounted by up to 20% through the Epic Games app at epicgames.com and the Samsung Galaxy Store.”
Installing Fortnite through other app-store or method, players can still enjoy the game on Android platform.
Epics parody reaction and lawsuit against Fortnite ban by Apple will surely heat up the situation further. Stay Tuned.
