The developer Epic Games introduced a new payment method in Fortnite yesterday that violates current App Store guidelines. As a result, Fortnite was thrown out of the App Store.
Just a few hours after Epic Games activated its own payment method for in-app purchases in Fortnite, Apple has removed the application from the App Store. The reason for this is a violation of the current App Store guidelines. Accordingly, the popular game is no longer available for download. Apple has responded to MacRumors as follows: expressed:
"Equal playing field for all developers"
Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store Guidelines, which apply equally to all developers and are designed to make the Store safe for our users. As a result, their Fortnite app has been removed from the Store. Epic enabled a feature in their app that was not reviewed or approved by Apple, with the express intent of violating the App Store Guidelines regarding in-app payments, which apply to any developer selling digital goods or services.
Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade and has benefited from the App Store ecosystem - including the tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic voluntarily agreed to the App Store's terms and policies, and we're pleased they've built such a successful business with the App Store. The fact that their business interests have now led them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these policies 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 bring Fortnite back to the App Store.
After Epic Games activated its own payment system in Fortnite, players were able to purchase V-Bucks at a much lower price. The payments went directly to the developer, meaning the 30 percent rule was circumvented.
Epic Games has knowingly violated this policy
Initially, it was unclear whether the developer had made a special arrangement with Apple. But just a few hours later it was clear - Epic Games had knowingly violated the current App Store guidelines. Apple's App Store guidelines, under point 3.1.1, state that apps that offer in-game currencies must use the in-app purchase mechanism. Applications are prohibited from integrating buttons, links or other calls to action that encourage customers to use payment methods not approved by Apple. The wording is as follows:
If you want to unlock features or functions within your app (e.g. subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchasing. Apps must not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functions, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, etc. Apps and their metadata must not contain buttons, external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchase mechanisms other than in-app purchasing.
Epic Games has knowingly violated this policy and provided its own payment system in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and other countries.
Epic Games files lawsuit against Apple
The Fortnite developers, on the other hand, are demanding the same treatment as applications that offer real goods and services. Uber, for example, is not obliged to use Apple's in-app purchase system - argues the game developer. In addition, the company has described Apple's 30 percent rule as "exorbitant". But that's not all. The Fortnite providers have now officially filed a lawsuit against Apple because the popular application was removed from the App Store. In the lawsuit, Epic Games accuses Apple of being a "giant that tries to control markets, block competition and stifle innovation", that imposes "anti-competitive restrictions" and uses "monopolistic practices in markets" against the developers of app stores. It says in it:
Apple imposes unreasonable and unlawful restrictions to completely monopolize both markets, preventing software developers from reaching the over one billion users of its mobile devices (e.g. iPhone and iPad) unless they go through a single Apple-controlled store, the App Store, where Apple imposes an oppressive $30% tax on the sale of each app. Apple also requires software developers who want to sell in-app digital content to these consumers to use a single payment processing option offered by Apple, the In-App Purchase, which also imposes a $30% tax.
Apple is already under investigation
But what exactly does the Fortnite developer want to achieve with this? With the lawsuit, Epic Games says it does not want to achieve a full payout of its own revenues, but instead seeks an "injunction" on the iOS app distribution and payment processing market for "hundreds of millions of consumers and tens of thousands, if not more, of third-party app developers." Accordingly, the company is not only acting in its own interest. Since both the EU Commission and the House Judiciary Committee have filed suit against Apple determined, the whole thing remains particularly exciting. The accusation is anti-competitive behavior. It remains to be seen whether Epic Games will actually achieve its desired goal in the end. (Photo by nikkimeel / Bigstockphoto)
