Apple removed the game Fortnite from the App Store on Thursday (13/8) after its developer, Epic Games, allowed its players to directly purchase in-game items. This is because Epic Games violates the terms of the 30% discount taken by Apple on all App Store purchases.
The following is Apple’s full statement as quoted from theverg:
“Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step because it violates the App Store guidelines which apply equally to every developer and are designed to maintain security App Store for our users,”
As a result, their Fortnite app has been removed from App Store. Epic enables features in its apps that Apple has not reviewed or approved, and they do so with the intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to any developer selling digital goods or services.
Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade, and benefits from the App Store ecosystem – including tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic freely agreed to the terms and guidelines of the App Store and we are delighted that they have built such a successful business on the App Store.
The fact that their current business interests encourage them to making custom arrangements does not change the fact that these guidelines create an equal playing field for all developers and make store it is safe for all users. We will make every effort to work-same with Epic to resolve this breach so they can bring Fortnite back to the App Store. Apple said in a statement.
As of now, players who have downloaded Fortnite on iOS can still access the game; only new downloads were disabled as a result of Apple pulling the game from the App Store.
Meanwhile, Epic also implemented its own payment system in Fortnite for the Android version, this led Google to take a similar action and remove the game from the Play Store. However, Android users can still download Fortnite using Epic Games’ Independent App.
“The open Android ecosystem allows developers to distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have a consistent policy that is fair to developers and keeps them safe store for users, ” said a Google spokesperson as quoted from The Verge.
“While Fortnite is still available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play Store for violating our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play. ” Connected a Google spokesperson.
In May 2022, Epic announced that Fortnite had 350 million registered accounts where players spent 3.3 billion hours playing the game Fortnite during April 2022.
