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Apple and Google kick "Fortnite" out of their stores

14.8.2020

Translation: machine translated

After "Fortnite" introduced its own payment system, the app was banned from both the Google Play Store and the App Store. The company behind the game is now suing Apple.

The reactions were as predictable as they were expected. After Epic, the company behind the multiplayer sensation "Fortnite", installed a new payment model on Thursday with an update that bypasses the App Store and Google Play Store, things went from strength to strength. Apple was the first to react, banning "Fortnite" from its shop on the same day. Google followed shortly afterwards. Both justified their decision with the violation of their shop guidelines. These prohibit apps from offering their own payment systems that circumvent those of Apple and Google and thus the 30 per cent that must be paid to store owners for each transaction.

Epic filed a lawsuit immediately after Apple's response. It accuses Apple of monopolistic practices. The timing is no coincidence, as Apple and other tech companies are currently in the spotlight due to their overwhelming market dominance. Epic has also published a matching video parodying Apple's "1984" advert.

"Fortnite" is still playable

Users who have already installed "Fortnite" can continue to use the app. However, new downloads are not possible. For Android, you can download the app directly from Epic's website as before. Epic is thus legally circumventing Google's 30 per cent share because Android is more open in this respect than iOS. Nothing changes in this variant.

"Fortnite" officially landed in the Google Play Store in April after Epic finally caved in. Now it appears that the battle has only just begun. The Galaxy Store pre-installed on Samsung smartphones also continues to offer "Fortnite". Epic was apparently able to negotiate a better deal there.

Epic has its own store with significantly better conditions for developers. Studios only have to cede 12 per cent of the revenue there. Epic has long criticised Apple, Google and Steam for their monopoly position. Google and Microsoft are currently feeling the downside of this themselves. Both xCloud and Stadia are being excluded from the App Store on similar grounds. Apple's deal with Amazon for the streaming service Amazon Prime four years ago shows that the apple company does not treat everyone equally.

It will be interesting to see how the battle between the billion-dollar and trillion-dollar company continues.

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

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