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Fortnite manufacturer Epic Games sued Apple after the game was removed from the App Store. And that’s just the description of what happened. It all started with V-Bucks.
On Wednesday, Epic brought a new payment option that allows Fortnite players to purchase V-Bucks, which is a virtual currency purchased through Fortnite users and then purchase in-game parts (weapons, suits, vehicles, etc.). This approach is designed to circumvent fees charged through Apple through the App Store.
“Currently, when they use Apple and Google payment options, Apple and Google rate a 30% payment and the drop in value by up to 20% doesn’t apply,” Epic said in a blog post. “If Apple or Google make your payments in the future, Epic will give you the benefits.”
The challenge was that this new payment option, which presented a 20% reduction to users, violated Apple’s policies. A few hours later, Fornite was removed from the App Store.
“Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate resolution of violating App Store rules that are implemented in the same way for all developers and are designed to ensure some store security for our users,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement. “As a result, your Fortnite app was removed from the store. Epic activated a feature of its app that was not reviewed or approved through Apple, and did so with the explicit goal of violating App Store rules for invoices through applies to each and every developer selling virtual goods or services.
“Epic has apps in the App Store for a decade and has benefited from the App Store ecosystem, adding its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers,” the announcement continued. “Epic has freely accepted the terms and rules of the App Store and we are pleased that they have developed such a successful business in the App Store. The fact that their business interests now push them to push for a special agreement does not replace the fact that those rules create a spot betting box for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will do everything we can to paint with Epic those violations so that they can return Fortnite to the App Store.”
In response, Epic submitted legal documents opposed to Apple and temporarily introduced a #FreeFortnite campaign, supplemented by a 1984 Orwellian video that portrayed Apple in a totalitarian light.
Epic Games has filed legal documents in reaction to Apple, more here: https://t.co/c4sgvxQUvb
– Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020
“Apple helps keep costs high so they can collect 30% of their bills and block Fortnite to prevent Epic from transferring direct payment savings to you!” Epic wrote in a blog post on Thursday.
The video itself turns out, in particular, to mock Apple’s well-known “1984” ad, which showed IBM as a force for Big Brother.
“Epic Games has challenged the monopoly of the App Store,” says the video, which takes a stand in the game itself and repeats itself on the company’s social media. “In retaliation, Apple blocks Fortnite from one billion devices. Join the fight to prevent 2020 from adjusting to 1984.”
Fortnite is still available to play on Google Play, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, GeForce Now and the Epic Games app on Android.
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