Apple boots Fortnite from App Store, Epic bites back

Two titans clash as Epic Games initiates a feud with Apple over extortionate App Store fees.

Earlier today, Epic Games announced the Fortnite Mega Drop. In-game purchases including V-Bucks and other real-money bundles are now permanently available at a discounted rate.

As part of this initiative, Epic explained that mobile players on both iOS and Android will need to use the new “Epic Direct Payment” option in order to benefit from the savings. Hiding nothing, they clarified that this would let them avoid the 30% fee charged by the stores.

Apple has now reacted, as many anticipated, by removing Fortnite from the App Store completely. By trying to bypass the 30% charge, Epic willingly and knowingly violated the App Store guidelines.

In a statement given to The Verge, Apple confirmed, “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”.

Apple also added “We will make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the App Store.”. However, it seems things won’t be that simple.

Epic Games has filed legal papers in response to Apple, read more here: https://t.co/c4sgvxQUvb

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020

Epic Games have now retaliated, openly revealing that they have filed legal papers in response to Apple. On top of this they will be premiering a new short in Party Royale named “Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite”. This is expected to be a mocking parody of the famous Apple 1984 commercial which introduced the Macintosh computer.

Whether Google will also take action against Epic remains to be seen. However, this is shaping up to be a monumental battle, and one that will have ramifications across the world of mobile applications.