I don’t need to explain to anyone reading this what Fortnite is. Gamers and Non-Gamers alike have heard of this game since it blew up in popularity a few years ago. It’s on basically every platform from Consoles to PCs, and also mobile devices, until today that is.
Epic Games used a new payment method for the purchasing of V-Bucks (In-Game Currency for Fortnite Cosmetics). Then just like that, a few hours later, Apple removed Fortnite from the iOS store due to “violating their guidelines”.
Apple then put out a statement to The Verge that said they plan to talk further with Epic Games about this situation.
Statement from Apple
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 its 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.
Epic then filed a lawsuit against Apple and not to mention an in-game video was put in Fortnite that parodies the 1984 Apple commercial, which basically confirms that Epic Games knew Apple would do this and prepared for it.
The news doesn’t stop there, a few hours after this clash between Epic Games & Apple, Fortnite has been removed from the Google Play Store. Another statement was released to The Verge, this time from Google.
Statement from Google
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.
Epic has yet to respond to the removal of Fortnite on the Google Play Store but it’s more than likely a matter of time before they do. This surely won’t be the last we hear about this, so any big updates will surely be covered.
GamebredMatrix 
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