In a shocking escalation of the war between Apple and developers over the 30% App Store fee, Apple booted Epic Games’ hit Fortnite from the App Store earlier today. The move comes less than 24 hours after Epic Games launched a direct in-app payment system that sidesteps Apple’s App Store fee. The new system reduces prices for players but leaves Apple out in the cold.
Epic Games responded with a lawsuit.
The news puts even more strain on the relationship between the trillion-dollar company and App Store developers. Earlier this month, CEO Tim Cook defended Apple during a House antitrust hearing that accused Cook’s company of, among other things, misapplying rules and cutting shady deals regarding the App Store.
In a statement to the Verge, Apple said that they “will make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the App Store.”
They state:
Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result, their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.
Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade, and have benefited from the App Store ecosystem – including its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely, and we’re glad they’ve built such a successful business on the App Store. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement 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 make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the App Store.
It appears, though, that Epic Games isn’t quite ready to play ball. The company announced on Twitter that they had filed a civil antitrust suit against Apple. Adding insult to injury, the company invited players to view a parody Apple’s famed “1984” commercial inside of Fortnite. They called the video “Nineteen Eight Forty.”
Software available on Apple’s App Store requires Apple’s in-app payment system, and, in turn, developers are subject to the 30% fee. However, using the system released in last night’s Fortnite update, users on iOS and Android can take advantage of a new process, allowing users to purchase V-bucks at a discounted rate if they buy through Epic’s website via credit card or PayPal. Google has yet to comment on the situation.
Epic Games has long criticized the App Store model. Weeks ago, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said Apple had “gone crazy” in the tweet.
Apple has gone crazy. If colleges hold virtual classes through an iPhone app, Apple could demand 30% of the tuition. Truly, Apple has no right to take any percent of any company’s revenue just because they made the phone people use to access the stuff.https://t.co/Pt2JlS4bvo
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 28, 2020
Source: https://news.knowyourmeme.com/news/epic-games-sues-apple-over-fortnite-app-store-removal