Fortnite removed from Google Play and App Store
Well, that escalated quickly.
Epic, the creators of Unreal Engine and the Epic Games Store, have set up a fight with Apple and Google (and potentially other storefronts later) with the announcement of a 20% price drop on V-bucks when shopping for its in-app purchases using their Epic Direct pay methods. This is seen as a way to bypass Apple’s 30% profit cut, which goes against the platform holder’s terms of service.
Apple immediately removed Fortnite from iOS, prompting Epic to file a lawsuit and post a Fortnite themed version of Apple’s famous “1984” advertisement.
Google has since followed suit and removed the game from its store, though many will note that side-loading is still possible, as is the game being available on non-Google branded Android device stores.
Whatever your thoughts on this battle, one thing is seemingly clear: This is a premeditated move by Epic Games to try and push Apple into a specific direction. You don’t have lawyers write up lawsuits within 30 seconds of getting an app ban, and you certainly can’t make a commercial in that same amount of time. Epic was clearly sitting on these things and waiting until they could get a specific reply from the platform-holders.
Well, they got those replies.
Grab the popcorn, because it’s going to be an interesting weekend.
Source: Epic Games
No Comments