Fortnite maker sues Apple, Google for removing game from online stores

Epic Games sued Apple and Google for removing its popular "Fortnite" video game from their online stores.

In filing the lawsuit in a US District Court in California, Epic sought no monetary compensation from Apple and but an injunction that would end many of the iPhone maker's in-app payment practices, which is the only way to distribute native software onto most iPhones.

It also did not seek monetary relief from Google, but only an order enjoining it from continuing with its anti-competitive conduct.

Epic said that Apple had become the behemoth seeking to control markets, stifle innovation, and block competition.

The removal from Apple's App Store was due to Epic Games enabling a direct payment feature on the Fortnite app, which Apple said violated its in-app payment guidelines.

Apple said Epic was removed for rolling out a payment feature designed to violate the App Store guidelines, which created a level playing field for all developers and made the store safe for all users.

Meanwhile, Google's Dan Jackson said Epic violated a rule requiring developers to use their in-app billing system for products within video games.

Jackson added that they are willing to continue discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.

Both Apple and Google were among the American tech companies scrutinized for anti-competition practices by lawmakers last month.

Apple takes a 15 and 30 percent share for most app subscriptions and payments made inside apps. There are exceptions for companies that have a credit card on file for iPhone customers, provided an in-app payment would benefit Apple.

Fortnite amassed massive popularity among young gamers since its 2017 launch, and competes with Tencent Holdings' "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds."

Fortnite's removal means that it would not be downloadable via the App Store and Play Store, and existing players cannot receive updates from those stores, but it will continue to work on devices if installed.

Fortnite could still be downloaded from Epic's website and other non-Google stores such as Samsung's Galaxy Store.

According to the mobile analytics firm SensorTower, Fortnite was downloaded about 2 million times in July 2020 in both App Store and Play Store.