TOPLINEApple removed the ultra-popular game Fortnite from its App Store on Thursday after its developer Epic Games allowed players to directly purchase items in the game, bypassing a 30% cut taken by Apple on all App Store purchases, but the game studio followed up with a legal complaint for injunctive relief. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Tim Sweeny speaks during BAFTA Presents Special Award to Epic ... [+] Games at The London on June 12, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty Images) Getty ImagesKEY FACTS"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," Apple said in a statement. However, Google on Thursday also removed Fortnite from its store, though it’s still possible to download the game on Android devices. The massive success of Fortnite—Epic registered its 350 millionth player in the spring—has given Epic the funds to compete with Valve, opening its Epic Games Store in 2018 and taking just a 12% cut on sales.

Source: Forbes August 13, 2020 20:26 UTC