Apple Removes Fortnite From App Store [Update: Epic Files Lawsuit Against Apple]

[DanTheMan827]

No. Steam welcomes everyone. Can you get Fortnite on Steam? No?

Fornite/Epic plays the same games as Apple does with play in our sandbox or don't play.

They deserved this.

The bigger problem is that it's impossible for anyone to distribute anything outside of the App Store... on Android devices it's more than possible and there's plenty of apps that do.

Epic is just going the route of distributing Fortnite by themselves on PC rather than through a marketplace

 

[m11rphy]

Because it has acquired a key position in a multi-billion dollar marketplace. A startup that becomes a monopoly is still a monopoly even if it had humble roots.

Ultimately I can see both Apple and Google being ordered to provide access to their respective app stores on a cost plus basis (i.e. Apple's cost of the service provision plus a fair profit margin).

I think Apple (and Google) toughed it out at 30% for just a bit too long, this kind of challenge was bound to happen when such a large slice of revenue is going their way. If they had done, say, a sliding % scale so that the big players paid less, they might not have had a big player suing them and the little guys would never have dared.

So a small App Store can charge 30% but a big one cant? As Walmart opens more stores is forced to make a smaller margin on the products is sells?

 

[bdragule]

Last time I checked, you can play Fortnite on iOS, Android, MacOS, PC, Xbox, and PS4. So tell me again how it’s a monopoly?

 

[yakapo]

They learned nothing from Spotify case.

Apple is going to lose.

 

[bluecoast]

Surprised at the amount of people who are defending apple on this thread.

The App Store is long past the time when it allowed indie devs to make a little bit of money back in the early days.

There now feels something ugly and vampiric about it (ditto most of Apple’s services) where the reason for them existing is nearly all about Wall Street.

 

[Drblowfin]

Good! Hope Apple stuff Epic

 

[jetrois]

The fact that consumers pay more money for a product or service does not create a per se violation of antitrust law.

Educate yourself before posting.

paying more woulnt trip the antitrust laws but preventing others from distributing on the devices might.

 

[Peperino]

Isn't there a cost to hosting all those apps, distributing them on the fastest data pipes, spending R&D to create better development tools as well as the marketing and all else needed to have a thriving installed base? Thats at least 15% they need to charge to recoup that. You also have to take account the obligatory Apple tax. Thats another 10%. And because you have a problem with it and all the other App ecosystems are lame, theres your extra 5%. I award Epic no points. And it deserves what it gets. They are free to make their own devices. The 30% is probably to discourage the biggest companies from creating entire businesses on Apples platform. Because the more of those that exist the more power they have over Apple to force them to go into directions they do not want to go towards. They already had that problem with microsoft and adobe, and you see how that turned out. By making money hand over fist on the iPad they reduce the income hit they could have if a huge enough player pulls out of their App store trying to strong arm Apple. That has happened in the past with the Mac and this time, if Apple will go through that again they will look at how much money they made from whoever does that and shrug and move on.

Once again, a one time fee is ok. IT is NOT ok, when Apple wants to charge 30% of everything you do on the business. especially if you offer a service. That is just plain ridiculous.

 

[technole]

This explains why Epic has been on the forefront of squeezing all the revenue they can, now they want to do it themselves.

Basically making the case, developers should list their Unreal engine games on Epic Store to pocket 88% revenues instead of 65% on Steam. By waiving the 5% engine royalty fees and giving them a larger cut. Smart business.

 

[Ethosik]

What is this current trend of release something or update something that CLEARLY breaks Apple's Guidelines then sue or complain about it?

 

[I7guy]

Good luck with this Apple. You're being hit left, right and center with lawsuits. This one was provoked.

 

[Peperino]

Epic must be arguing anti-competitive behavior, not antitrust, because only government can bring anti-trust cases. And those take forever.

But Apple's behavior isn't really anti-competitive, because it actually makes Apple's platform less competitive than Android. So it'll be interesting how this plays out.

It is anti-competitive, when both apple and google charge you 30% of your business.

 

[discuit]

Apple gave in to DHH whining/tweeting about HEY. Cue massive publicity and interest in mediocre mail service.
Other developers watched that drama and formulated their plans.

Every move is calculated.

Apple made their bed when they invented the "Reader" carve-out for Netflix and Spotify and decided not to charge for Amazon Prime streaming video rentals made through the Amazon app...

 

[Sheza]

Good. Fortnite doesn't provide third parties a way to sell within its game. Why should Apple allow them free real-estate for customers that Apple worked to build?

Apple's store. Apple's rules.

Nice try, Apple lawyer.

Look, that argument ain’t gonna fly. Fortnite is not a platform. It’s a game. iOS is a platform.

 

[m11rphy]

No one would be forcing you to use the hypothetical iOS Epic Games Store. They just want a chance to compete.


Do I own my phone? Yes or no?

You own a phone that you bought knowing it only ran iOS and the App Store, I own an xbox I dont expect to use playstation games on it, I own a nespresso coffee machine I dont expect to be able to us Kurrig pods with it and I dont expect to be able to use Dewalt batteries on the Milwaukee drill I own. In the future I will by an apple silicon Mac and I wont be on here bitching it doesn't run windows because I'll be fully informed when I make my purchase

 

[az431]

Can I still play it if I have already downloaded it? What about updates?

If you already purchased the app, you can redownload it and continue using it. This only affects people who have not purchased the app.

 

[az431]

Last time I checked, you can play Fortnite on iOS, Android, MacOS, PC, Xbox, and PS4. So tell me again how it’s a monopoly?

It's not. Charging someone to use your service is not an antitrust violation. This lawsuit will be dismissed by January.

 

[GizmoDVD]

It is anti-competitive, when both apple and google charge you 30% of your business.

A business that gets access to tens of millions of users. Would your business even exist if not for the App store?

 

[Fly360]

Once again, a one time fee is ok. IT is NOT ok, when Apple wants to charge 30% of everything you do on the business. especially if you offer a service. That is just plain ridiculous.

How is it wrong when the developers don't have to have their app on iOS device ?
It seems like they want to use apples platform but not pay. And than try to act like its about the consumer

 

[Peperino]

Last time I checked, you can play Fortnite on iOS, Android, MacOS, PC, Xbox, and PS4. So tell me again how it’s a monopoly?

Because on iOS they own 30% of your business, regardless if you seel a one time app or you sell a service.
So owning 30% of your business is kind of mafia style protection...

 

[magicMac]

I think it was a calculated move, Epic knew Fortnite would get pulled and is taking the short term money loss for what could be a PR win long term

this is my interpretation as well. the timing couldn't be any better with the larger lawsuit ongoing

 

[m11rphy]

they are when taking how much they make vs android iinto account. app store vs google play revene is what i mean. android has more physical devices but the app store makes more money for apple per device than google does per android device

And do you not think the reason for that is apple created an App Store people actually want to use because its safe and secure, now you want to take that away from them? You think if epic could sell their app else where and pay less they would still offer the app on the apple App Store? No of course they wont there will still be one place to get the app and the price will still stay the same, epic will make more money per app and the whole app purchase process will turn in to the Wild West at the expense of the customer

 

[Wildkraut]

You own a phone that you bought knowing it only ran iOS and the App Store, I own an xbox I dont expect to use playstation games on it, I own a nespresso coffee machine I dont expect to be able to us Kurrig pods with it and I dont expect to be able to use Dewalt batteries on the Milwaukee drill I own. In the future I will by an apple silicon Mac and I wont be on here bitching it doesn't run windows because I'll be fully informed when I make my purchase

My condolences!

 

[GizmoDVD]

Because on iOS they own 30% of your business, regardless if you seel a one time app or you sell a service.
So owning 30% of your business is kind of mafia style protection...

So don't use iOS for your business. Problem solved!

 

[Analog Kid]

So Epic is selling monopoly money and complaining the profit margin isn't high enough?

Epic was clearly spoiling for a fight, but this seems like the wrong test case.