Fortnite was removed by both Apple and Google from their app stores

The firm Epic Games, the creator of the hit game Fortnite, has introduced a new payment mechanism through the company’s servers, allowing gamers to make purchases directly in Fortnite. This allows Fortnite to bypass Apple and Google’s in-app purchase systems and not pay a 30% commission. Not long after that, Apple directly removed this hit game from the App Store.

This move is probably also in the plan of Epic Games.

A few hours later, the company responded by saying it would sue Apple, accusing it of abusing its monopoly position in the market. Epic Games said, “Apple’s removal of Fortnite is another example of Apple using its enormous power to impose unreasonable restrictions and illegally maintain their 100% monopoly through the processing system. iOS in-app payments.”

Minutes after announcing the lawsuit against Apple, Epic Games also played a short video in Fortnite Party Royale, parodying the legendary Apple ad clip from 1984 but with images of characters taken from Fortnite. At the end of the ad is the words “Epic Games challenges the App Store Monopoly. In retaliation, Apple blocked Fortnite on billions of devices. Join the fight to prevent 2020 from becoming 1984. #Let’s free Fortnite.”

Launching a legal battle against Apple with an antitrust battleground will be an uphill challenge, even as regulators keep a close eye on Apple’s monopolistic practices. Although CEO Tim Cook recently testified before antitrust officials in Congress, questions via Zoom show that they also do not seem to intend to challenge Apple on this.

However, Epic Games is a huge influencer with 350 million Fortnite users and gamers have proven their unique ability to launch campaigns targeting big companies.

For now, while new players will no longer be able to get Fortnite on iOS, those who already have Fortnite will still be able to access the game. They can even buy items through Epic’s payment system for 20% cheaper than buying through Apple.

Epic Games CEO has long complained about the 30% commission for mobile app stores. Epic has long overtaken Google’s Play Store app store when releasing Fortnite as a direct download. However, this past April, the game was still officially released on the Play Store when Epic realized the disadvantages to direct installation.

Slower than Apple, but until now, Google has also removed the Fortnite game from its Play Store app store.

With Epic’s own payment system, gamers will save 20% when buying V-buck coins in Fortnite. For example, with 1,000 V-buck, gamers will normally have to pay $9.99 on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, but when buying through Epic’s payment system, the amount to be paid is only $7.99.

References: Law & Readers