There is a fierce dispute between Epic Games and the tech giants Apple and Google – the conflict escalated quickly. Fortnite was thrown out of the app stores, Epic filed a lawsuit against both companies. Epic supports its stance with a media “1984” campaign under the hashtag #FreeFortnite. But what does this mean for players and Season 4?
The most important points at a glance:
- Epic rebels against Apple and Google
- The creators of Fortnite are introducing in the new update direct purchase for V-Bucks, allowing users to bypass the app store fees
- V-Bucks are permanently cheaper with direct purchase from Epic and are thus more attractive
- Apple and Google respond and remove Fortnite from their app stores
- Epic sues both tech giants, and attacks Apple with a video shown to everyone who logs into Fortnite
Dispute between Apple, Google, and Epic – What has happened so far?
What is the dispute about? After Epic Games positioned itself against Steam on PC with the Epic Game Store, the company behind Fortnite is now standing up against the fees in Apple and Google’s app stores. But Apple and Google responded quickly, and Epic is now suing both.
This was the trigger of the dispute: In a provocative move, Epic introduced a new payment method – the so-called Direct Payments – for the mobile version of Fortnite on Android and iOS on Thursday, August 13th.
Now, the in-game currency V-Bucks can be purchased both through the app stores and directly from Epic. However, with a direct purchase, the obligatory fees of 30% to the app store operators can now be bypassed. Apple and Google keep 30% of all revenue from apps and in-app purchases sold through their stores.
Additionally, during the update, V-Bucks are now permanently 20% cheaper – but only with a direct purchase through Epic. This aims to make direct purchase more attractive.
This is how Apple and Google respond: Initially, Apple reacted to Epic’s move and swiftly removed Fortnite from its app store. They decided on this step because the app store guidelines were violated. The new payment method was not approved by Apple, according to the company.
Later, Google followed suit and removed Fortnite from its Play Store. They demanded that Epic remove the Direct Payments, but the makers of Fortnite have not complied so far.
Update 11:15 AM – Apple follows up: It appears that Apple has escalated the conflict over Fortnite – in an email to its users. It states: “What’s better than a victory? A new victory. New games are constantly coming to the App Store, just like new opportunities to win.”
With this, Apple plays directly on Fortnite in the eyes of many users and suggests that even the successful title on iOS devices is not irreplaceable. For new games, new opportunities are now opening up due to the ban to step into Fortnite’s footsteps and win.
#FreeFortnite – Epic launches media campaign
This is how Epic reacted to the ban: Epic was apparently aware that they would violate the store guidelines and were already prepared for the consequences.
Shortly after the ban of Fortnite, Epic released a parody video that takes a jab at Apple’s iconic ad from 1984 (link leads to YouTube). Here you can watch both ads in a side-by-side comparison:
The ad titled “1984” is a famous TV commercial from 1984. The clip was aired during Super Bowl XVIII and introduced the public to the iconic Apple Macintosh Personal Computer for the first time – a milestone in the history of Apple and the computer industry. The ad itself has won multiple awards and is considered a landmark in the advertising industry. It essentially laid the foundation for Apple’s image as a “revolutionary company”.
More about it can be found here: The story behind Fortnite 1984, the attack on Apple and #FreeFortnite
Epic also responds and heads to court: Following the lawsuits due to monopolistic business practices – initially against Apple, then also against Google. The companies would be abusing their market position and thus hindering fair competition, this is the main tenor of the lawsuits.
Under the hashtag #FreeFortnite, Epic calls on social media for everyone to rise up against the app store and join Epic.
What does the dispute over Fortnite mean for players?
At least for players on Apple’s mobile operating system iOS, the future of Fortnite looks rather bleak in light of the dispute.
Players on iOS: Fortnite can still be played on Apple devices if you have it already installed. However, downloading or updating the game is no longer possible on iOS.
And that is going to become a big problem for all iOS players very soon, as Epic has already warned. In just under two weeks (August 27), the current Season 3 of Fortnite will end and Chapter 2, Season 4 will start. And one cannot play that without an update (now blocked). So, if no resolution is found between Apple and Epic by then, iOS players will be stuck.
Players on Android: For mobile players on Android, the situation looks better. Fortnite is no longer in the Play Store, but it is still available through other means and can also install updates.
Epic directs players to its own website, where they can download Fortnite either through the Epic Games app or via the Samsung Galaxy Store (for users of Samsung devices).
What do the players say? Even though some are annoyed: many believe that Epic stands up for a good cause, standing up to the tech giants and rebelling against them – not just for themselves, but also fundamentally for other developers.
After all, the 30% fees to the store operators have been criticized for a long time and are considered too high by many. But what do you think about the whole matter? Let us know in the comments.
If you are now looking for mobile alternatives to Fortnite: The currently best mobile games in 2020 with multiplayer
