Epic's Fornite has been removed from the App Store after they implemented direct payments, circumventing Apple's 30% cut.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 13, 2020
Statement from Apple via The Verge:
"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 it’s 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."
This is Epic Games Reply:
Epic Games has filed legal papers in response to Apple, read more here: https://t.co/c4sgvxQUvb
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020
What does this mean?
Well... apple if it losses my be forced to open its store/phone up to installs/other stores.
Now this might carry over to Nintendo/sony/microsoft as well.
If epic games losses, you might never see future epic games on apple devices. Ei. no more fortnite atleast.
on resetera, alot of apple users basically have this mentality:
"I really hope Apple loses because them having the final say in what software I can run on hardware I own is fucking bullshit."
Microsoft are probably hopeing Epic Games wins this as well.... this means they could probably get Gamepass on Apple devices again.
*edit:
This is to be a anti-trust case for the end user(s) rights.
As a phone owner, do you have the right to choose your storefront? Like if google made their store avalible to iphone users, would you like the choice?
If epic games wins, the consumer wins.
You get the right to choose where to shop, on your phone.
As a iphone user, would you like to be able to use Gamepass+streaming on it as well?
*edit2:
Also this same trick that Epic Games pulled..... Apple use it for "Apple Music" on android devices, to cheat google, out of their cut.
Basically Apple complain about Epic games, but they themselves do what Epic games just did.
https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/hb0jl8/apple_music_on_android_requires_its_own_payment/
"Apple Music on Android requires its own payment details to avoid Google Play's 30% cut. Apple has accused Match, Epic, and Spotify of wanting a 'free ride' while taking one themselves."
Apple are hypocrites.
Last edited by JRPGfan - on 13 August 2020
