Fortnite developer Epic Games sues Google and Apple over removal of the game from stores
The removal came after Fortnite breached the companies’ in-app payment guidelines
Epic Games, the developers behind the popular battle-royale game Fornite, has sued Google and Apple after they removed the game from their app stores.
The removal came after Fortnite breached the companies' in-app payment guidelines. It prompted an immediate response from Epic Games, as they filed an antitrust lawsuit against the companies.
However, Fortnite doesn't want any money from this lawsuit. Rather wants to end the companies' practices that "stifle innovation".
Epic's lawsuit stated, "Apple has become what it once railed against: the behemoth seeking to control markets, block competition, and stifle innovation. Apple is bigger, more powerful, more entrenched, and more pernicious than the monopolists of yesteryear."
Epic Games took an even harsher stance on their social media handles. They launched the campaign #FreeFortnite on Twitter, and made a parody of Apple's iconic 1984 themed Macintosh commercial. The ad depicted Apple as the villain.
The developers say they want to end the anti-competitive conducts of these tech giants. Fortnite was removed after they announced a way for players to buy in-game currency outside Apple and Google's proprietary systems.
It's still unclear how the lawsuit will play out. Nonetheless, this unprecedented incident is believed to have the potential to change app store forever.
