Fortnite on the App Store: Apple Deletes Epic Games Account

Few things are more bleak than not having a future or that it is very uncertain. The case of Epic Games and its popular video game Fortnite is a good example of this, since this title will not return to the App Store after its developers violate the rules of this application store, have been warned by Apple and have not wanted to comply with that. We summarize the events below and analyze what happened in the last few hours.

Epic Games mounted an unprecedented campaign

In mid-August, Epic Games tried to add a Fortnite update on iOS and Android that allowed users to make in-app purchases through their own services, thereby circumventing what was established by Apple and Google. This prevented the two big technology companies from taking the corresponding commission for each payment made by the user, which is out of their respective regulations in the App Store and Play Store. The consequences of this were immediate and both companies withdrew Fortnite from their app stores.

Fortnite on the App Store

The first to do it was Apple and although it might seem somewhat unexpected after an innocent move by Epic Games, the truth is that they had their strategy very well studied. As soon as the news of Fortnite’s removal from the App Store was known, they began an unprecedented social media campaign with the hashtag #FreeFortnite (Freedom for Fortnite). This was accompanied by original videos and live monitoring by diehard fans. The lawsuit against the apple company was immediate and surprisingly they had it ready in a matter of hours, one more test that makes us suspect that the plan was considered.

Why did Epic Games plan it? Well, to know the exact reason, the explanation would correspond to these, but it is evident that they wanted to gain notoriety at the expense of an Apple in low hours as far as their app store is concerned. We recall that the company has already been confronted recently by other developers at the cost of the 30% commission on in-app purchases and that it is even being investigated for it together with other large companies such as Facebook, Amazon and Google.

Another proof that Epic Games wanted to tickle Apple was found in that they had nothing prepared against Google, despite the fact that this company also withdrew its game from the Android Play Store. They also received the lawsuit, but quite a few hours later compared to how little it took them to file it with Apple. Lawsuits that, by the way, could seem somewhat absurd because Epic is the one who commits an irregularity and who denounces that he has been punished for it. It is known that in between they tried to negotiate with Apple, but it did not come to fruition. In any case, it will now be up to the courts to decide who is right.

No new season of Fortnite on iOS

Among the measures adopted by Apple was not only the elimination of the video game from its store, but also blocked the developer account of Epic Games until they decided to adopt changes that would put them back within the established regulations. Back then users could not find Fortnite in the App Store, but those who had already downloaded it once, although they would not receive updates. The deadline given by the company led by Tim Cook was August 28 , last Friday, as the deadline for Epic to adapt.

Already last week the developers sent an email to their users stating that the new season of their video game would not be available on Apple devices such as iPhones. This movement served as an omen that they still did not comply with the rules and therefore on Friday their developer account would be deleted. Indeed this happened and now Epic Games no longer have access to their developer account , which makes it considerably difficult for them to make changes to their game and allow new players to download the game. In fact, no one else will be able to play on their iPhone or iPad unless the game is already installed, thus eliminating any possibility of finding the game for those who have already enjoyed it in the past.

We remember that in between there was a court order that prevented Apple from blocking access to the development tools of Unreal Engine , a graphics engine created by Epic Games. However, it was not prevented that on August 28 the measure of eliminating his account in the App Store was adopted. This also implies that no Epic Games app can be present on the iPhone and iPad.

We will now see what the reaction of Epic Games is; if they decide to continue quietly until their claim is resolved or if along the way they decide to back down and try to initiate procedures to return Fortnite to the App Store. Be that as it may, the company will be aware of the amount of money it has lost with this strategy despite the fact that iOS is not its main source of income as it is present on other platforms. Apple for its part will remain pending resolution of its particular case with commissions and to study whether it finally accepts xCloud and Google Stadia after having prevented it weeks ago, something that could be related to its list of Apple Arcade games.