The Fortnite bans on iPhone and Android were not surprising, as Epic Games knowingly violated the rules of the App Store and Google Play store. Any other app would have received the same treatment.
When Fortnite developer Epic Games updated its app to allow it to process in-app purchases (IAP) from gamers and skirt Apple and Google, it knew what was going to follow. Neither Apple nor Google would allow any of that as this is a clear violation of the rules they have in place for the App Store and Google Play, respectively. It’s not really about the money, although the 30% cut that Apple and Google get is a factor. Fortnite did so fully knowing that Apple would not blink and ban Fortnite, as it would with any other app that’s stepping out of bounds. The rules that govern any community aren’t optional for those willing to play along. In this case, the App Store rules are strictly enforced, and Apple would have banned any developer pulling the same stunt. Epic undoubtedly knew this, and that’s why it baited Apple in the first. The fact that it was quick to follow up with its own take at a famous Apple commercial, and to sue Apple is only proof that Epic looked to take advantage of the current context in its fight against Apple and Google. And Google, too, banned Fortnite. Epic then sued Google. All this is proof that Epic engineered the Fortnite crisis on mobile to win over public opinion and have gamers on its side in the fight with Apple. Epic could have sued Apple and Google without all the extra bells and whistles. The point of all of this is money. Epic isn’t willing to pay up that 30% fee. Or better said, Epic wants more money from gamers, but it can’t do it because of Apple and Google’s IAP shares. The Apple cut is really what it all boils down to, and Epic is just taking advantage of the antitrust vibe right now, as big tech companies are under increased scrutiny from regulators in the US, Europe, and elsewhere. Of the $10 you’d pay Fortnite for V-bucks, $7 goes to Fortnite, and $3 to Apple or Google. When Fortnite offered you the option of paying $8 for the same IAP loot, it presented it as a 20% discount to the gamer. But the fact is that $8 happens to be a 14.29% increase in profit for Epic. Well, I’m not including here card processing fees, so let’s round it up to 14%.
