Apple has removed Fortnite, Epic Games’ battle royale game from the App Store. This was after the developer implemented its own in-app payment system on Thursday. The payment system bypassed Apple’s standard 30% fee.
This marks a significant escalation in the feud between Epic and one of the world’s most dominant mobile software marketplaces. It also comes at such a time for Apple’s antitrust concerns over its operation of the App Store.
Moreover, an especially fraught time as the iPhone maker deals with issues concerning the rules it imposes on certain developers.
After the removal, Epic revealed a carefully calculated series of responses. This includes an antitrust lawsuit seeking to establish Apple’s App Store as a monopoly.
It also includes a protest video that aired on YouTube and within Fortnite itself. Epic was mocking the iPhone maker’s iconic “1984” ad. It called on gaming fans to #FreeFortnite by supporting its fight against Apple.
Apple said it plans to work with Epic to resolve these violations.
The company said, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App’s guidelines that are applied equally to developers. They are designed to keep the store safe for their users.
As a result, they have removed the Fortnite app from the store. In its app, Epic has enabled a feature which was not reviewed or approved by Apple.
They had done so, with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines. This is regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.
Apple: On Returning Fortnite to the App Store
For a decade, Epic has had apps on the App Store, and have benefited from the App Store ecosystem. That includes its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers.
Epic freely agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines. They ‘re glad they’ve built such a successful business on the App Store.
Their business interests are leading them now to push for a special arrangement. But these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users.
To resolve these violations, they will make every effort to work with Epic. So that they can return Fortnite to the App Store.
Epic also implemented its own payment system in the Android version of Fortnite. It was leading Google to take similar action and remove the game from the Play Store.
However, Android users can still download Fortnite using Epic’s own app launcher. That is its own app launcher that Epic distributes independently through any mobile web browser.
According to a Google spokesperson, the open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, they have consistent policies that are fair to developers. Moreover, it keeps the store safe for users.
While Fortnite remains available on Android, they can no longer make it available on Play because it violates their policies. However, they welcome the opportunity to continue their discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play, he added.
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