As many gamers may have recently realized, the online video game “Fortnite” has not been working on Apple devices and Google Play. In fact, when searched on Apple’s App Store, it cannot be found. Why did this popular game suddenly disappear?

It started with V-Bucks, the game’s form of currency. On Aug. 13, Epic Games, the company that developed “Fortnite”, released the “Epic direct payment” option for iOS and Google Play. This allowed gamers to use the app to purchase and make payments with the same method given to PC, Mac, and Android players. However, this option violated the set agreements between developers and Apple, as well as Google. 

“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,” said Apple.

The guideline it broke requires developers to give Apple a 30% cut. The company’s decision to release the Epic direct payment had not been approved nor reviewed by Apple. To retaliate, Apple removed “Fortnite” from the App Store. In return, Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple and Google that accused it of being a power that is too controlling of the market.

“Apple has become what it once railed against: the behemoth seeking to control markets, block competition, and stifle innovation” stated Epic Gaming.

The company also argued that Apple is making users pay more for the 30% revenue, which raises the prices they pay, and that the big company is monopolizing the market. 

A final verdict of the lawsuit has not yet been decided, but as of Aug. 28, Apple has terminated Epic Games’ development account that is connected to “Fortnite”. This means that the game cannot be played on any Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, until the case is taken to court later this month. 

On Sept. 5, Epic Games renewed its legal request to have “Fortnite” reinstated in the App Store. However, Apple will not allow the game to be available until Epic Games withdraws the direct payment option, which it has refused to do. 

On Sept. 8, Apple countersued Epic Games, stating that the gaming company is a “multi-billion dollar enterprise that simply wants to pay nothing for the tremendous value it derives from the ‌App Store‌.” 

On Sept. 10, Epic Games announced that Apple “provided an indefinite extension” that allows players to sign in with an Apple account, despite previous claims that Apple would disable the feature on Sept. 11. The full preliminary injunction hearing will take place on Sept. 28.

Photo courtesy of PINTEREST.COM