Epic filed legal papers shortly after Apple pulled Fortnite from the App Store:
Fortnite adds cheaper mobile payment option to circumvent Apple, Google fees
Epic Games has added a new "direct payment" option to Fortnite on iPhone and Android devices, aimed at cutting out the portion of proceeds Apple and Google take via their own official stores.
Epic has long railed against Apple and Google's 30 per cent cut, and previously launched Fortnite on Android via its own launcher to get around the issue.
The launch of a new, cheaper direct payment option in-game seems to be Epic's latest salvo in this ongoing battle. On both mobile platforms, £9.99 of in-game currency (1000 V-Bucks) will now cost £7.99 if you pick the option to pay Epic directly.
"Apple and Google collect an exorbitant 30 per cent fee on all payments," Epic said in a spicy FAQ published today. "If Apple and Google lower their fees on payments, Epic will pass along the savings to players.
"Thousands of apps on the App Store approved by Apple accept direct payments, including commonly used apps like Amazon, Grubhub, Nike SNKRS, Best Buy, DoorDash, Fandango, McDonalds, Uber, Lyft, and StubHub. We think all developers should be free to support direct payments in all apps.
"In operating Fortnite on open platforms and operating the Epic Games Store, Epic has processed over $1,600,000,000 of direct payments successfully, and uses industry trusted encryption and security measures to protect customer transactions."
UPDATE: Apple pulls Fortnite from App Store, Epic files legal papers
Following Epic Games' decision to include a direct in-game payment option in the iOS and Android versions of Fortnite in order to circumvent Apple and Google's official payment mechanisms, Apple has pulled the game from its App Store.
It's perhaps not a huge surprise to see Apple respond so quickly and decisively, given that Epic's move directly contravenes App Store guidelines, which state that developers wishing to unlock features or functionality within their apps must must use in-app purchase. "Subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version", are listed by way of example.
It appears Apple's move didn't come as much of a surprise to Epic either. Within moments of the news breaking, Epic announced it had filed legal papers against Apple. And with illuminating lines such as, "But for Apple's restrictions, would-be competing app distributors, such as Epic, could develop and offer iOS-compatible app stores, thereby providing consumers and developers choice beyond Apple's own App Store and injecting healthy competition into the market", they're well worth a read.
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020 ... oogle-feesLegal papers:
https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-com ... 589783.pdfLooks like they've been planning this for a while, they've even made a trailer