Fortnite is a battle royale video 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 microtransactions or in-app purchases - better known as in-app purchases or in-app purchases. in-app purchases? bypassing not only the security of platforms such as Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store.
According to Apple, under "In-app purchases" it states that:
"?are optional transactions designed to modify the functionality of the app or unlock items (?)".
In the case of FortniteEpic offered a fictitious currency with no monetary value to enhance the player experience known as the V-bucks and, until before August 13, the only way to pay for V-bucks V-currencies" in Latin America, or "PaVos" in Europe, was through microtransactions managed by Apple and Google's virtual stores.
However, in order to operate, Apple and Google require to request up to 30% of the amount of each payment within their platform not only to cover the banking transactions between the client and the developer, but also to safeguard privacy and preserve the security of the billing data.
Epic stated that it is unhappy with this policy that applies to all developers who are required to process a payment for a virtual good.
Not only that, Apple, a company that promotes the safety of users and, above all, that of minors indicates that:
"(?) parental controls (?) include the ability to disable in-app purchases altogether" and "(?) prevent your child (?) from purchasing or downloading content from iTunes and App Store (?)".
It means that not only did Epic introduce code into the application that downloads the package needed to play Fortnite which enabled direct payment from Epic, but were also able to circumvent parental controls on Apple and Google devices, which is a major vulnerability for both systems.
Later that day, the application Fortnite was removed from the App Store. Epic, knowing in advance that it was in violation of Apple's developer terms and conditions, announced that it 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 in 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 business growth opportunity for all developers. Epic has been one of the most successful developers in the App Store; additionally, it has become a multi-billion dollar company reaching millions of iOS customers around the world. We want to keep the company with us as part of the Apple Developer Program, as well as its apps in the Store. Epic has itself created a problem that can be easily remedied by simply releasing an update to its app in compliance with agreed terms that apply to all developers. No exception will be made for Epic because we do not believe it is right to put their commercial 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 application distribution Fortnite would be closed on August 28 and, consequently, a second lawsuit would be filed against Apple for such action, which Epic described as "retaliation" for the first lawsuit.
The above, was used by the same Epic video game to "denounce" publicly through a tournament that has the name of "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 battle royale video game promoted a contest inviting players to participate in the tournament that was intended to make Epic's stance on Apple visible.
Following the above logic, then, games and applications distributed by Epic in stores where it also charges an "exorbitant" commission - as the company has described it - should leave environments such as PlayStation Store, Nintendo and Xbox Live for handling only payments through their platforms. In the meantime, Epic does not permit the sale of its fictitious currency with no monetary value - the V-bucks? outside its own platform. On Epic's support page they mention that: "We know that 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 lawsuit with a court filing. Phil Schiller, Apple's global chief marketing officer, told CNBC that Epic demanded special treatment and revealed how Epic's chief executive, Tim Sweeney emailed to different divisions of Apple in charge of the App Store.
On August 24, the decision was partial to both Apple and Epic. U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the Northern District of California, in charge of hearing the case said she was "inclined" to not require Apple to resume distribution of the app Fortnite in the App Store; meanwhile, he also said that the termination of Apple's developer account at the hands of Epic could be reversed. The hearing was conducted through the Zoom platform for the government given the contingency for Covid-19.
From the hearing, it was concluded that Apple would not restore Fortnite to the App Store and Epic would maintain the tools required for the development of video games, namely 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 against Apple devices that were once compatible with the app FortniteThe game, announcing to players who would not receive the download pack for the new season, that they would lose access to the game's cross-platform online mode whether it was through iOS, iPadOS or macOS.
Willyrex, the most famous Spanish-speaking youtuber and gamer in Fortnite spoke out regarding Epic's case against Apple and Google, in a live broadcast: And now, doing the filth, the filth of the "Free Fortnite" thing, which, I think is an incredible filth, really. (?) You're going to bend the rules for something special about iOS and Android? Anyway. They're desperate, I think."he pointed out.
The day came. On August 28, the application could not be downloaded. Fortnitefrom the App Store worldwide and removing it from the device meant no longer being able to install it on the latest compatible devices. In this regard, Apple commented, in a statement, that it could be translated:
"We are disappointed that we have had to close the Epic Games account on the App Store. For many years, we have worked with the Epic Games team on their announcements and new releases. The court made the recommendation to Epic to comply with App Store rules while the case takes its course, rules that they had followed for the last decade until they themselves caused their current situation. Epic has refused to do so. Quite the opposite, they kept sending out Fortnite updates designed to violate App Store rules. It's not fair to the other developers in the App Store where consumers are involved in their struggle. We hope to be able to work together again in the future, but unfortunately that's not possible today."
One week after the disappearance of Fortnite of the App Store - a situation caused by Epic - on Sept. 5, Epic petitioned the court to "stop the retaliation" by Apple, according to with information from ReutersThe company also announced that a preliminary injunction would be filed in order for Fortnite was back on the App Store while the lawsuit between the two companies continues.
Three days later, on Sept. 8, Apple filed a counterclaim against Epic for damages for breach of contract, according to with information from CNBCThe company also stated that Epic "positions themselves as a modern-day but corporate version of Robin Hood when, in reality, they are a multi-billion dollar company that simply doesn't want to 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 the most important application stores for mobile devices, and serious financial consequences for Epic, the last step taken by Apple given 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 Apple's platform and migrate to a different security standard.
The duel between Epic and the two most important companies in the mobile content and device creation and distribution industry 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 Epic's call for special treatment for Google and Apple?
Cristian Carlos is a writer, journalist and sociologist..
