Fortnite Vs Apple and Google

Fortnite got kicked off by both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store after attempting to bypass the 30 percent fees. In the meanwhile, Samsung is allowing Galaxy device users to download the game despite the tussle going between big tech giants.

New Delhi: The removal of Fortnite from both the App Store and Play store became a piece of huge news. Moreover, the game has been downloaded over 250 million times on the iOS platform alone.

So, Epic Games countered by filing lawsuits against both the companies. It's not seeking money from either company, just that they repeal what Epic considers the companies' monopolistic practices. And it comes at a time when both Europe and the US are scrutinizing the power of Apple, Google, and other technological giants.

Fortnite is an online video game developed by Epic Games and released in the year 2017. Fortnite is a free-to-play game to play, meaning it's free to download. Epic makes money from in-game purchases. But players can buy V-Bucks, in-game currency, which is used to buy new outfits, weapons and skins and it's a hugely profitable business model. Fortnite generated approximately $4.2 billion over the year 2018-2019.

But Epic Games has never approved of the 30 percent cut taken by Apple and Google on their respective app stores. So, it set up a direct payment system allowing players to shop for V-Bucks for cheaper rates through Epic, circumventing Apple, and Google. When buying 1,000 V-Bucks, players were given a choice overpaying $9.99 via the App Store or $7.99 through Epic.

Fortnite Vs Apple and Google

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said, "Google acquired the Android mobile OS more than a decade ago, promising repeatedly over time that Android would be the basis for an "open" ecosystem in which industry participants could freely innovate and compete without unnecessary restrictions," the filing reads. "Since then, Google has deliberately and systematically closed the Android ecosystem to competition, breaking the guarantees it made. Google's anti-competitive conduct has now been condemned by regulators the world over."

The suit argues that Android forms an effective monopoly for phone makers, like Samsung, LG, and Sony, who do not have any real alternatives to Android for their devices. Having achieved this monopoly, Epic said, “Google then restricts the ability of companies to distribute apps in a way that competes with the Play Store.”