Apple Pulls Fortnite From App Store for Offering Cheaper Direct Payment Option

Apple has pulled Fortnite from the App Store for offering a cheaper direct payment option that didn't give the company a 30% cut of its revenue.

Earlier today Epic Games introduced the ability to purchase V-Bucks and real-money through its own payment processor on iOS and Android. This saves customers 20% since the company does not need to pay Apple or Google a 30% cut.

The move violated Apple's App Store guidelines which have come under fire lately as as anticompetitive and selective. In response, Apple pulled the app, a decision which is sure to spark another investigation into the company's practices.


Here's the official Apple statement provided to MacRumors.

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Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the ‌App Store‌ guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the ‌App Store‌ guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.

Epic has had apps on the ‌App Store‌ for a decade, and have benefited from the ‌App Store‌ ecosystem - including it's tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic agreed to the ‌App Store‌ terms and guidelines freely and we're glad they've built such a successful business on the ‌App Store‌. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the ‌App Store‌.
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Apple unconvincingly claims it needed to remove Fortnite to 'create a level playing field' and 'make the store safe'. It's likely this battle is just beginning! Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for updates.