Notes

Fortnite: Apple Ban Sparks Court Action From Epic Games

Fortnite: Apple ban sparks court action from Epic Games



13 August 2020



Apple has removed Fortnite (from its App Store), preventing players from installing the game that is extremely popular on their iPhones.



It came after an Fortnite update that allowed players to buy in-game currency at a lower rate if they bought direct from the creator Epic Games - bypassing Apple.



Epic appeared to know the ban would be coming, announcing it had filed a legal complaint just minutes after the removal.



Apple takes a standard 30 percent share of its sales from its compulsory payments system.



Google removed the application from their Google Play Store several hours later, however it's still accessible on Android phones via other means such as Epic Games' launcher.



On iOS on iOS, the App Store is the only method to legally load apps. But Apple said Epic had taken the "unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines".



These guidelines ban any other payment method than Apple's and have been the subject of numerous prominent disputes between Apple and developers.



Epic stated that iPhone players who already have the game installed will be able to continue playing until the next update rolls out. They'll lose some features after that.



Users on an Apple Mac computer won't be affected because they don't access the iOS App Store.



In addition to tweeting about the legal complaint that it filed in the California court, Epic also announced the scheduled in-game presentation of a short film called Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite , an adaptation of George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.



The novel portrays a dystopian society where citizens are controlled and tolerate no opposition. Apple also referenced the novel in a TV commercial from 1984 when it claimed to be fighting IBM.



The court documents allege that Apple effectively holds a monopoly in both deciding what apps can be used on iPhones and demanding its own payment system, which comes with the relatively high 30% cut - is employed.



Piers Harding-Rolls, games research director at Ampere Analysis, said Epic's update that violated the rules "was designed to force Apple remove the application".



"Removing Fortnite is a great method to gain the support of Epic, which it is trying to achieve."



He also stated that iPhones aren't the largest Fortnite game's platform, but Epic will still be aware of the ban. However, Epic stated that the iOS version "generates tens to millions of dollars in revenue each month on Apple platforms".



Clash of titans



This charge is not liked by developers. For many the 30% profit share is comparable to shakedowns.



Last month, an app developer compared Apple to the mafia. The argument is essentially an anti-competition one.



Google and Apple control the operating systems used on nearly all phones across the globe. This means that they are able to choose who can run apps on their stores and who cannot.



They also have the power to decide on the fees. Some developers call this duopoly.



In Epic Games though, Apple has an unwanted foe.



Fortnite is insanely profitable. Epic Games has the cash to Apple. And the way this has been carried out by passing the savings onto the consumer - is clearly tactical. Epic Games wants to bring this fight to the open.



And with the EU and US Congress scrutinizing Apple's business practices this is attention Apple could use.



In its court filing, Epic said it was not seeking financial compensation.



It was stated that Epic is seeking injunctive relief in order to ensure fair competition in two important markets that directly affect hundreds of millions of users and hundreds of thousands, if not thousands, of third-party apps developers.



These documents also hint at a larger purpose.



"But for Apple's illegal restraints, Epic would provide a competing app store on iOS devices," it says.



Epic Games has already attempted to disrupt the PC gaming market through the launch of its Epic Games Store, taking advantage of the dominant player, Steam, in an attempt to lure players away with free games that have been frequently highly rated, popular games.



Piers Harding-Rolls said the row is reminiscent of the Epic store's challenge. Epic charges game developers 12% on PC games, as opposed to Steam's 30 percent.



"Apple and Google have been a long term target of Epic CEO Tim Sweeney's fury because he believes the 30% revenue share they charge for games and app sales is too high," he said.



"However taking on Apple is a different task than the PC market, as it's not possible to build a third-party storefront on iOS or to make money from apps outside of the App Store."



Google's Android system also makes use of Google's payment system to pay for purchases made through the app store and from which Google gets a cut however Android allows developers to direct users to alternative payment options.



Apple said in a statement that the rules were applied equally to all developers, and that Epic had changed their game "with the explicit intent of infringing on the App store guidelines".



It said that Epic has been using the App Store for over 10 years and has benefited from the App Marketplace ecosystem.



"The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a specific arrangement does not alter the fact that these guidelines ensure a fair playing field for all developers and ensure that the store is safe for all users."
titan launcher for mc


It also stated that Epic would be working with them to bring Fortnite back.



Apple digs in over its App Store fees



22 July 2020



Apple claims 'half a trillion dollars' app economy



15 June 2020



Fortnite's teenage millionaire: One year later Video, 00.03:28Fortnite's teenage billionaire: One year later



27 July 2020



3:28


Homepage: https://titanlauncher.com/