Epic Games sues Apple and Google after Fortnite's removal

Yesterday, on August 13, Epic Games has added the ability to purchase V-Bucks, Fortnite's in-game currency, through Epic Direct on iOS and Google Play. The thing is, when making purchases through it, EG receives all transactions directly, without Apple App Store and Google Play service fees, which are 30%. At the same time, Epic Games has brought down Fortnite currency prices by 20%. Thus, buying a thousand V-bucks through Epic Direct will cost $7.99, while through App Store or Google Play it will cost $9.99.

Apple immediately responded that such a system violates App Store policies and removed the video game from the store. Nevertheless, the company says that they will try their best to bring Fortnite back after negotiations with EG. 

Epic Games reacted by immediately suing Apple. In the lawsuit, the company indicated that they are not seeking monetary compensation for the fact that Fortnite was removed from the App Store, but want to end Apple's actions that violate competition. Epic Games believes Apple has illegally secured a monopoly in two markets with the App Store: iOS app distribution and app payments.

Epic Games in a controversial way have said their word: the developers released a short "Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite" film. A parody of Ridley Scott's Apple commercial, the video shows us exactly what George Orwell's original book, 1984, does.

After all these things happened, Google has also stated that Epic Game's move violates Play Store rules, according to which any app developers host on the marketplace must use Google's own payment system, which involves, surely, a service fee.

Epic Games responded by suing Google. The very same file as against Apple. The developers also launched a #FreeFortnite campaign on social media, in which they called their lawsuit against Apple a fight against its monopoly. This isn't the first time that Epic Games has sought to shake things up in developed markets; they also released the Epic Games Store to compete with Steam and EA's Origin.

It is yet impossible to predict what will happen soon, though many famous gaming and esports personalities are picking sides. The only thing that we can say, in the chase for freedom, the players are the ones who struggle now. We can only hope that everything will pass calmly and quickly.