Apple and Google companies have removed the Fortnite shooter from their App Store and Google Play stores. Epic Games responded with lawsuits against both entities. The cause of all the confusion is the high, 30% margin on these digital distribution platforms, which Tim Sweeney’s company does not accept.

Epic Games introduced the ability to buy V-Bucks to Fortnite bypassing the App Store payment system; in response, Apple decided to remove the game from its store. Soon after, an identical step was taken by Google (with regard to Google Play); Epic sued both companies, demanding a change in the rules – not only for himself; the bone of contention between companies is the 30% margin on digital distribution platforms. Google and Apple have removed Fortnite (via Kotaku) from their digital stores (Google Play and App Store). It happened after Epic Games introduced a solution to its shooter that allows you to buy internal currency (the so-called V-Bucks / V-Bucks) directly from the manufacturer, bypassing the platform’s payment system – in addition, up to 20% cheaper. Apple and Google – another goals of Tim Sweeney’s crusade Apple reacted first to the new solution in Fortnite. In a statement for The Verge, the company’s representative emphasizes that Epic Games broke the store’s regulations. Epic Games took an unfortunate step today in violation of the App Store’s guidelines, which apply equally to every developer and are designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result, their Fortnite app was removed from the store. Epic has included a feature in its app that has not been verified or approved by Apple, and it has done so with the express intention of violating the App Store’s in-app payment guidelines that apply to any developer selling digital goods or services. Epic has had apps in the App Store for ten years and uses the App Store ecosystem – including tools, tests, and a distribution channel that Apple makes available to all developers. Epic has agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines, and we are thrilled to have built such a successful business with the App Store. The fact that their interests are now prompting them to look for other solutions does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will do our best to work with Epic to address these issues so that Fortnite can return to the App Store, we read.

Epic Games reacted almost immediately, suing first one and then the other company. The speed of this reaction suggests that the Fortnite developers were ready for such a turn of events and probably prepared a lawsuit before introducing a new solution to their game. Interestingly, Epic is not demanding compensation for itself, but a change of rules for everyone – this clearly shows that we are dealing with another installment of the crusade that started with hitting Steam (more on this in the box above). Apple has become what it once fought: a behemoth trying to control markets, block competition and stifle innovation. Apple is bigger, more powerful, more entrenched and more harmful than the old monopolies. With a market cap of nearly $ 2 trillion, Apple has a size and reach far beyond the capabilities of any technology monopoly in history, according to documents sent to court. Tim Sweeney’s argumentation is not without sense, but reading the above message, it should be remembered that Epic Games is also not a small entity – the company is currently worth over $ 17 billion. So it’s worth being careful with high-flown messages and remember that in the end it is – simply – about gigantic money. Fortnite for iOS – now playable It is worth noting that Apple owners can still play Fortnite – as long as they already have the game on their phone. However, the situation will change with the next patch. The company informs about it in a blog post, in which it encourages players to protest against the company’s decision with an apple in the logo. The campaign was marked with the hashtag #FreeFortnite. Since Apple has blocked the upgrade, you won’t be able to play the new season on iOS after the Fortnite Chapter 2 – Season 4 update is released. Make your voice heard with #FreeFortnite