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Apple removes Fortnite from app store after Epic launches new payment system (Update: removed from Google Play store too)

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.


Currently, when using Apple and Google payment options, Apple and Google collect a 30% fee, and the up to 20% price drop does not apply. If Apple or Google lower their fees on payments in the future, Epic will pass along the savings to you.

epic-direct-pay-apple-app-store-2045x979-730033169.png


epic-direct-pay-google-play-store-2045x979-730031947.png


Seems like a giant middle finger to Apple and Google.

EDIT: seems like it worked



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.
 
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-Arcadia-

Banned
Epic throwing around it's Fortnite weight to end shitty practices again. This largely got us cross-platform multiplayer, and ended Sony's autism on the matter. I'm curious if they can do something similar to Apple and Google.

I'm also curious if this could help resolve the ongoing iOS/GamePass conflict.
 

Jose92

[Membe


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.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21366438/apple-fortnite-ios-app-store-violations-epic-payments
 
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BeardGawd

Banned
I'm sorry but Apple and Google are in the wrong here. When I buy a game from Best Buy I'm not continually paying them a fee because I initially purchased through them. If I purchase additional content elsewhere that's none of their concern. Netflix and Spoitfy fall in the same category. After the initial purchase there should be no more recurring payments to apple.
 

00_Zer0

Member
So who is going to win here? Will Apple and Epic make a backroom deal where Epic gets some kind of special treatment regarding app store fees? Is that even legal if every other app developer has to shell out 30% of every sale? Maybe it will force Apple to make new rules for everybody based on how popular something is on the app store? Or would Epic have the guts to take Apple to court over this? Imagine if the latter happened and Epic won their court case, what would that mean to every digital store front out there?
 

Honey Bunny

Member
So who is going to win here? Will Apple and Epic make a backroom deal where Epic gets some kind of special treatment regarding app store fees? Is that even legal if every other app developer has to shell out 30% of every sale? Maybe it will force Apple to make new rules for everybody based on how popular something is on the app store? Or would Epic have the guts to take Apple to court over this? Imagine if the latter happened and Epic won their court case, what would that mean to every digital store front out there?
Tencent Mobile OS
 

Aranea

Member
I just read an article were apply says the following

"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," Apple's larger statement reads. "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."

Apple goes on to cite Epic's agreement to the App Store rules in the first place, which allowed Fortnite to exist previously on the app store, noting that "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."


I'm not a fan of Fortnite as i never been interested on battle royale tittles but it seems that Apple here is being greedy and wants some of the cash. No one is gonna believe the "store safe for all users" excuse.
 

Dr Bass

Member
So who is going to win here? Will Apple and Epic make a backroom deal where Epic gets some kind of special treatment regarding app store fees? Is that even legal if every other app developer has to shell out 30% of every sale? Maybe it will force Apple to make new rules for everybody based on how popular something is on the app store? Or would Epic have the guts to take Apple to court over this? Imagine if the latter happened and Epic won their court case, what would that mean to every digital store front out there?

There are plenty of big apps using their own payments. Ever buy something in the Amazon app? No Apple cut there. There are absolutely special deals for certain developers, which was basically revealed at the hearings. Epic knew they would get banned for this, and that's probably their goal. To raise the alarms that these systems are completely closed and basically antithetical to a lot of basic ideals software engineers believe in (myself included). The very least of which is we should be able to install software from any source we desire. Apple can have their store. Just allow us to use the devices as the computers they are.
 
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-Arcadia-

Banned
Wow.

With the removal of Fortnite from iOS (never thought I'd say that), we're about to see a genuine war between corps unfold. I'm told Apple is facing a European Antitrust investigation for the same issue, so it's really interesting timing.

Will all the other corps troubled by this, like Microsoft and Facebook, to name two recent examples, jump in as well?
 

Skullkid94700

Neo Member
So, is this happening because Fortnite is seeing a decline in Revenue? Or are they doing this out of pure spite/greed? Either is fine with me. More reasons to not use Epic and play Fortnite. InB4 reports of Fortnite only making a fraction of what they made last year.
 

JLB

Banned
Wow.

With the removal of Fortnite from iOS (never thought I'd say that), we're about to see a genuine war between corps unfold. I'm told Apple is facing a European Antitrust investigation for the same issue, so it's really interesting timing.

Will all the other corps troubled by this, like Microsoft and Facebook, to name two recent examples, jump in as well?

Microsoft, and Sony, and Steam and all the other owners of stores are getting a ton of money as well. As I said a couple of days ago on the xCloud not in iOS thread, this is multibillion corpA vs multibilion corpB wars. I cant find a sweet spot on any side.
 

-Arcadia-

Banned
Microsoft, and Sony, and Steam and all the other owners of stores are getting a ton of money as well. As I said a couple of days ago on the xCloud not in iOS thread, this is multibillion corpA vs multibilion corpB wars. I cant find a sweet spot on any side.

Has the potential to end up better for consumers, as we see with something like GamePass flat out being locked out.
 
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