Google Pulls Fortnite From Play Store, But Game Remains Available Through Other Android Sources [Update: Epic Games Sues Google]

[MacRumors]

Just hours after Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, Google has also pulled the Fortnite app from its Google Play Store.

Epic made the same in-app changes in the Google version of the app that it made in the App Store version, allowing players to bypass Google’s in-app purchase system. Subverting the Play Store in-app purchase system is against Google’s rules. From Google’s guidelines:

Developers offering products within a game downloaded on Google Play or providing access to game content must use Google Play In-app Billing as the method of payment.

Google in a statement to The Verge said that it has policies about in-app purchases that are designed to keep the Play Store safe for users. The statement is very similar to Apple’s, in fact.

The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.

According to The Verge, Google clarified that it has no issue with Epic distributing the game on Android devices through other channels, but the rules for the Play Store must be followed for the app to be available through it.

Even though the app has been removed from the Play Store, it can still be used on Android. Fortnite can be downloaded through the Epic Games app or through the Samsung Galaxy Store.

Update: Epic Games has also levied a lawsuit against Google for removing Fortnite from the Google Play Store.

Article Link: Google Pulls Fortnite From Play Store, But Game Remains Available Through Other Android Sources [Update: Epic Games Sues Google]

 

[garylapointe]

I wish the subject was more correct, "Because Epic is also violating the rules at Google Play, Fortnite gets pulled from the Play Store for violating their agreement with Google".

This was NOT Google being malicious, this is Epic screwing around.

To be clear, I'm an Epic user and have their store/launcher installed on my Macintosh. I have nothing against Epic, they're trying to be the cheapest store out there and it benefits me.

 

[DarthJarJar]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue. Epic games is panicking because Tencent will soon be banned.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

Time to get out the popcorn.

 

[haruhiko]

Good job Google ?

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I’m curious, don’t in-game purchases work the same way on PS4 and XboxOne? Like you have to buy through Sony’s and MS’s store and are subject to their stores’ terms and conditions? If so, I wonder if they will be next?

 

[acgmph]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue. Epic games is panicking because Tencent will soon be banned.

I agree, though side-loading on iOS is not as easy as it is to install a random .apk on Android.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

oh wow! I'm surprised google has decided to do this. It's going down people.


Fortnite - Game Over.

Fortnite is about to end like “Flappy Bird”

 

[SW3029]

Good for Google (and Apple). Epic isn't exactly an underdog. They are pulling this PR sideshow for their own benefit, not the benefit of users.

 

[DarthJarJar]

I wish the subject was more like, "Because Epic also violates the rules at Google Play, Fortnite gets pulled from the Play Store".

This was NOT Google being malicious, this is Epic screwing around.

To be clear, I'm an Epic user and have their store/launcher installed on my Macintosh. I have nothing against Epic, they're trying to be the cheapest store out there and it benefits me.

Epic is not looking out for consumers, they simply want a higher profit margin. Don't mistake greed for benevolence.

 

[armandxp]

Good job Google! Stand with Apple!!!

 

[hot-gril]

Epic is not looking out for consumers, they simply want a higher profit margin. Don't mistake greed for benevolence.

Sometimes they're the same thing, sometimes they're not.

 

[ipedro]

LMAO

All the Android anti-Apple Epic apologists: you were saaaaaying?

 

[garylapointe]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue.

If it's as easy as you say, all Epic needs to do is release their games that way. They could make an Epic Games Sideloader app to automate the process.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue. Epic games is panicking because Tencent will soon be banned.

As far as Apple is concerned, hijacking an iPhone is illegal, so that's hardly a good argument in Apple's favor. Apple would never sue over that as they know they would lose, opening the door even wider.

 

[iZac]

The gate keepers are banding together.

I’m torn because Epic is obviously trying this because they’re greedy, rather than trying to be a martyr for the gaming industry. They tried this kind of brinkmanship for a while with Steam but didn’t get any traction.

...But I also want iOS to loosen its restrictions a bit to fall in line with the Mac platform, so we can basically sidestep the App Store.

Fascinating to see if this causes a wave of other Devs to join the fight.

 

[hot-gril]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue. Epic games is panicking because Tencent will soon be banned.

Only signed ones I believe. Epic won't be able to sign new versions of the app. I may be wrong, someone please prove it. (Edit: Actually, users with free iOS dev accounts can still download, sign, and side-load new builds.)

And yes, the iron curtain of digital services is definitely falling, for better or worse.

 

[farewelwilliams]

hope apple bans epic permanently.

 

[garylapointe]

Epic is not looking out for consumers, they simply want a higher profit margin. Don't mistake greed for benevolence.

I don't think I implied anything of the sort when I said they were "screwing around" and put the blame completely on them...

 

[huythanhv2]

Why Apple doesn't introduce tier for their commission? E.g. the higher the revenue is the less % Apple should be taking.

I meant as a bracket thing
E.g.

first 10k at 30%
Next 40k at 20%
Next 50k at 15% and so on

 

[SDJim]

But no, Apple and their evil App Store policies are sole evil!

 

[Bandaman]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue. Epic games is panicking because Tencent will soon be banned.

I like how you talk about it so casually as if it's even remotely the same as side-loading apps on Android, which it most definitely isn't.

But no, Apple and their evil App Store policies are sole evil!

They are. The cloud gaming ban is bad for consumers. Stop defending this nonsense.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

Epic is not looking out for consumers, they simply want a higher profit margin. Don't mistake greed for benevolence.

Don't mistake 30% as benevolence either. It is even more pure greed.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I’m curious, don’t in-game purchases work the same way on PS4 and XboxOne? Like you have to buy through Sony’s and MS’s store and are subject to their stores’ terms and conditions? If so, I wonder if they will be next?

yes it’s the same. but it wasn’t a problem until Apple started making money too

 

[alien3dx]

You can also sideload apps on iOS. This whole argument that apple's system is somehow more restrictive is absurd and untrue. Epic games is panicking because Tencent will soon be banned.

no sideload .apple is very strict.