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| Fortnite sues Apple and Google after removing it |
Apple and Google removed the popular Fortnite video game from their app stores for violating in-app payment guidelines and requested the game's developer (Epic Games) to file a federal lawsuit against the competition.
Apple and Google describe the direct payment functionality provided in the Fortnite app as a violation.
Epic Games did not ask Apple and Google to lose money in a lawsuit, but instead called on the court to issue an order ending the practices of several companies involved in the app business.
"It has grown into a giant Apple trying to dominate the market, prevent competition and stifle innovation," Epic Games said in a lawsuit in Northern California.
"Compared to the monopoly of the past, Apple is bigger, stronger, stronger and more harmful," she added.
(Epic Games) has also attacked Apple on social media platforms, launching a campaign in support of the hashtag (#FreeFortnite), and urging players to request a refund from Apple if they cannot access the game.
Apple generates between 15% and 30% of its revenue through most app subscriptions and in-app payments, although some companies are exceptions.
Analysts estimate that games are the primary source of App Store spending and that the App Store is the largest component of Apple's services division, generating $ 46.3 billion annually.
Apple said in a statement: (Fortnite) has been removed. Because (Epic Games) launched a payment feature to violate app store policies.
Google also removed Fortnite games from its app store, saying: In spite of everything, we welcome the opportunity to continue discussions with (Epic Games) and return to (Fortnite) store (Google Play).
(Epic Games) said in the lawsuit: For anti-competitive reasons, distributing and pushing apps via apps on Apple devices is its own domestic market. Because Apple users rarely leave their ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2017, this free video game has gained popularity among young players, and has competed with Tencent's PUBG.
Deleting the game means that new players will not be able to download it and existing players will not be able to receive updates. However, the game should still run on the device on which it was installed.
Fortnite received nearly 2 million downloads from the (App Store) and (Google Play Store) in July 2020. Apple users spent about $ 34 million, while Android users only spent about $ 2 million.
Since Android and iOS operate differently, users can still download Fortnite from Epic Games and other non-Google stores and install it on their device.
(Epic Games) said in its lawsuit: We are not advocating for exempting the coin, but rather preventing Google from continuing to implement its anti-competitive behavior in the Android ecosystem.