In a message given to The Verge, Apple announced today that it has officially removed Fortnite from the iOS App Store following Epic’s new monetization scheme. The move on Epic’s part is said to have broken Apple’s terms when it comes to those who sell goods or services on the platform. “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,” a representative from Apple explained.
Epic Games has filed legal papers in response to Apple, read more here: https://t.co/c4sgvxQUvb
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020
Here’s the full statement from Apple:
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.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has long been critical of sellers fees on various platforms, including those on both PC and mobile. Oftentimes, sellers have to charge higher prices on platforms in order to ensure that the eventual money they do see helps them break even more quickly. For instance, in Fortnite’s new storefront that was added today, V-bucks which would have normally cost $10, were now retailing only $8. This reason is also a major part of why Epic created its own Games Store back in 2018 on PC, to make sure that developers and publishers received a larger cut of the final money made compared to sales that transpire on platforms like Steam.
It remains to be seen what will happen between Epic and Apple in this situation. The move on Epic’s part today seemed to be one about making a statement more than it was trying to dodge payments to Apple altogether. In all likelihood, both parties will surely come to terms that will see Fortnite returning to iOS in time, but this sure has been a surprising situation to see unfold all the same.
Meanwhile, Fortnite itself will be hosting a new short tonight that it’s calling “Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite” and dear lord if this somehow ties back into the larger story at play here, I will hate everything.
Fortnite Party Royale will premiere a new short: Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite. Join us at 4PM ET. pic.twitter.com/BWvndK3gDt
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020
Posted:
Last Updated:
Related Forum: Mobile Devices
Source: https://www.dualshockers.com/fortnite-booted-off-apple-ios/
"Fortnite removed from iPhone App Store as Epic Games sues" :: Login/Create an Account :: 6 comments