Fortnite is a pitched battle game that was available on all devices with a store that offered a free download of an application that, in turn, downloaded the necessary files -a package of about 10 GB- to run the game properly.
However, this changed a month ago, when on August 13 of this year, Epic decided to incorporate into its download package the ability to pay Epic directly for micro-transactions or purchases within the application - better known as in-app purchases-skipping not only the security of platforms like Apple's App Store and Google Play Store.
According to Apple, in the section "Shopping within the app" it states that:
"...are optional transactions designed to modify the functionality of the app or unlock items (...)".
In the case of FortniteEpic, a fictional, non-monetary currency was offered to enhance the player's experience known as V-bucks and, until August 13, the only way to pay for V-bucks - "V currencies", in Latin America; or "PaVos", in Europe- was through micro transactions handled by Apple and Google virtual stores.
However, in order to operate, Apple and Google require up to 30% of the amount of each payment within their platform not only to cover banking movements between the customer and the developer, but also to safeguard privacy and preserve the security of billing data.
Epic has stated that it is not satisfied with this policy, which applies to all developers who are required to process a payment for a virtual good.
Not only that, Apple, a company that promotes user safety and, above all, the safety of minors, indicates that
"(...) parental controls (...) include the ability to disable purchases within the app entirely" and "(...) prevent your child (...) from buying or downloading content on iTunes and the App Store (...)".
It means that not only did Epic enter code into the application that downloads the package needed to play Fortnite which enabled Epic's direct payment, but they were also able to circumvent the parental controls on Apple and Google devices, making both systems highly vulnerable.
Later that day, the application Fortnite was removed from the App Store. Epic, knowing in advance that it was violating Apple's developer terms and conditions, announced that he had filed a lawsuit almost immediately, according to a statement issued by Epic. At the same time, Fortnite had been removed from the Google Play Store for the same reasons. Epic then proceeded to sue Google.
On August 17, Apple issued a statement regarding its position on the case through the digital media The Vergewhich translates:
"The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users, and as a great growth opportunity for all developers' business. Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store; additionally, it has become a multi-billion dollar company that reaches millions of iOS customers worldwide. We want to keep the company with us as part of the Apple Developer Program, as well as its apps on the Store. Epic has created a problem in itself that can easily be remedied by simply releasing an update to your application in accordance with the agreed terms that apply to all developers. There will be no exception for Epic because we don't believe it's right to put your business interests ahead of the terms that protect our customers.
On August 17, Epic announced through his Twitter account that the Apple developer account required for the distribution of the application Fortnite would be closed on August 28 and, consequently, a second lawsuit would be filed against Apple for that action which Epic described as "retaliation" for the first lawsuit.
This was taken advantage of by the same Epic video game to "denounce" publicly through a tournament that has the name "Free Fortnite" against the policies of Apple and Google that, according to its website, declares in favor of the actions of the video game company: "We decided to fight Apple and Google's policies on behalf of all consumers and their rights to have access to more efficient payment methods and receive the best possible prices". The battlefield game promoted a contest in which players were invited to participate in the tournament that aimed to make visible Epic's position regarding Apple.
Following the above logic, then, games and applications distributed by Epic in stores where an "exorbitant" commission is also charged -as the company has described it-, should leave environments like PlayStation Store, Nintendo and Xbox Live for handling only payments through their platforms. Meanwhile, Epic does not allow the sale of its fictional currency with no monetary value - the V-bucks- outside their own platform. On Epic's support page they mention that: "We know there are websites that offer V-bucks. (...) These websites cannot deliver V-coins under any circumstances. Is Epic "playing" a double-sided game?
Suddenly, on August 21, the case took an unexpected turn: Apple officially responded to Epic's demand with a court filing. Phil Schiller, Apple's global marketing director, told CNBC that Epic demanded special treatment and revealed how Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney sent emails to different divisions of Apple in charge of the App Store.
On August 24, the decision was partial for both Apple and Epic. U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the Northern District of California, who heard the case, said she was "inclined" not to require Apple to resume distribution of the application Fortnite on the App Store; meanwhile, he also said the termination of Apple's developer account at the hands of Epic could be reversed. The hearing was held through the Zoom platform for the government given the contingency by the Covid-19.
From the audience, it was concluded that Apple would not restore Fortnite to the App Store and Epic would maintain the tools required for video game development, specifically the Unreal Engine -a programming chain that allows the creation and design for the operation of a game- used by other programmers.
During that week, Epic was hostile to Apple devices that were once compatible with the FortniteThe new season's download package was announced, announcing that players who would not receive the new season's download package would lose access to the multiplatform mode of the online game whether it was via iOS, iPadOS or macOS.
Willyrex, the most famous Spanish-speaking youtuber and player in Fortnite spoke out about Epic's case against Apple and Google, in a live broadcast: "And now, doing the filth, the filth of "Free Fortnite" which, is that, I find it an incredible filth, really. (...) Are you going to break the rules for something special about iOS and Android? Anyway, I'll tell you what. They're desperate, I think."he pointed out.
The day has come. On August 28th, the application could not be downloaded Fortnitefrom the App Store worldwide and remove it from the device meant that it could no longer be installed on the latest supported devices. In this regard, Apple commented, in a statement, that it could be translated:
"We're disappointed we had to close the Epic Games account on the App Store. We've worked with the Epic Games team on their announcements and news for many years. The court made the recommendation to Epic to comply with App Store rules as the case takes its course, rules they had followed for the past decade until they caused their current situation. Epic has refused to do so. Instead, they continued to send Fortnite updates designed to violate the App Store rules. It's not fair to the other developers on the App Store where consumers are involved in their struggle. We hope we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately that is not possible today.
One week after the disappearance of Fortnite of the App Store -a situation caused by Epic-, on September 5th, Epic asked the court to "stop the retaliation" of Apple, according with information from ReutersThey also made it known that a preliminary injunction would be issued to Fortnite was back on the App Store while the trial between the two companies continues.
Three days later, on September 8, Apple filed a counterclaim against Epic for damages for breach of contract, according to with information from CNBCIn addition, the company stated that Epic "is positioned as a modern-day but corporate version of Robin Hood when, in reality, they're a multi-million dollar company that simply won't pay a penny of the colossal value they profit from the App Store".
With Epic's legal battle against Apple and Google, the disappearance of Fortnite of major mobile app stores, and serious financial consequences for Epic, the latest step taken by Apple in the wake of the cancellation of Epic's account - but not the development tools - is the cancellation of the use of Apple's secure login tool with each user's Apple ID. Therefore, Epic has sent a message to those players who are registered under the Apple platform and migrate to a different security standard.
The duel between Epic and the two most important companies in the industry of creation and distribution of mobile devices and content is far from over. Is Epic really "fighting" monopoly practices to protect consumers or should the lawsuits - which total five since August 13 - be understood as a call from Epic to Google and Apple to receive special treatment?
Cristian Carlos is a writer, journalist and sociologist.
