Apple INC removed the (Epic Games) Fortnite from its app store after the game’s developer introduced its own in-app payment system, which exceeds Apple’s standard 30 percent fee.
The decision marks a major escalation in the feud between (Epic Games) and one of the world’s most dominant mobile app stores.
It also comes at a particularly difficult time for Apple, as the iPhone manufacturer is dealing with antitrust concerns about its management of the App Store and the rules it imposes on some developers.
(Epic Games) the developer of Fortnite implemented its payment system in the Android version of Fortnite as well, but Google has not yet taken any action.
Apple said in a statement: It plans to work with (Epic Games) to solve these violations so that it can return (Fortnite) to the (App Store), but it does not intend to grant (Epic Games) a special status.
(Epic Games) today took an unfortunate step by violating the (App Store) guidelines designed to keep the store safe for our users, and as a result, the Fortnite app was removed from the store, and (Epic Games) enabled a feature in their app that was not reviewed or approved by Apple, has done so with the express intent to violate App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments. “
The (Epic Games) approach appears designed to urge Apple to respond, as Fortnite studio in the new (iOS) update explained how using the in-app payment system from (Epic Games) leads to cheaper prices.
Those who downloaded (Fortnite) on (iOS) can still access the game, while new downloads are disabled due to Apple’s withdrawal of the game from its app store.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of (Epic Games) has long complained about app store fees and has called for fundamental changes in how companies like Apple and Google manage business with outside developers.
Apple is facing severe criticism these days over how it manages the App Store and its mandatory fees, as well as how to implement its guidelines in ways that some developers feel are unfair and may in fact be designed to benefit Apple over its competitors.
Since Fortnite first appeared on mobile in 2018, the game has existed as a standard (iOS) app, and Sweeney has publicly said his company has only done so because there is no other way to enter Apple’s closed ecosystem.
This means that Apple has acquired 30 percent of all in-app purchases for Fortnite coin used to purchase the Battle Pass subscription service and digital goods.
Fortnite earned up to $ 2.4 billion in 2018 and $ 1.8 billion in 2019 due to its great popularity across platforms, as players can use the same account across iOS, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Profile.