Epic Games has stated that they are suing Apple for the removal of the popular battle royale ‘Fortnite’ from the Apple App Store, according to The Verge.
The removal came after the developer implemented it’s own in-app payment system that bypassed Apple’s standard 30% fee, per the report. Epic Games had implemented it’s own payment system in Fortnite’s Android system as well.
Per the article, Apple said that it plans to work with Epic to “resolve these violations”, but added that it has no intention to create a “special arrangement” for the company.
The statement is as follows: “Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.
Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade, and have benefited from the App Store ecosystem – including its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely and we’re glad they’ve built such a successful business on the App Store. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines 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 return Fortnite to the App Store.”
According to the official Twitter page of Fortnite, Epic Games has filed a lawsuit.
