Fortnite recently added the direct payment option to allow users to make direct payments for in-app purchases to Epic Games instead of using Apple and Google’s payment system. Direct payment allows the company to save that 30% cut it pays to Apple and Google for using their payment system. So the company also gave a 20% discount to gamers using the direct payment option. Both Google and Apple require apps to use their billing options for in-app purchases. For violating this rule, Apple and then Google removed the Fortnite app from their respective stores.
You can still install Fortnite on Android directly from the website or via the Samsung Galaxy Store on Samsung devices. There is no way for the new installation on iPhone or Pad.
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.
Apple said in a statement.
The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.
Google said in a statement.
Epic Games also filed a lawsuit against Apple following the removal of the game from App Store.
Epic has a history of fighting against Google over the Play Store rule. Almost 2 years back in August 2018, The company pulled Fortnite from the Google Play Store. Distributing games from the official website have its own disadvantages. Users have to deal with repetitive security pop-ups and manage updates manually. The game made a come back on Play Store this year in April.
It seems Epic is ready to fight. It has relapsed a new short film within the game called ‘Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite’ that is a parody of the famous 1984 commercial by Apple. This video has been watched nearly half a million times on YouTube within hours of its launch.
