Why Did Apple Ban Fortnite?
Fortnite – one of the most popular video games out there- has been making headlines due to its recent controversy with Apple. In this blog post, we’ll answer the big question: “Why did Apple ban Fortnite?” We’ll also explore how this decision has impacted the gaming industry and what this could mean for the future of gaming.
The Background Story of Apple and Fortnite
The ban started when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store in August 2020. The cause of this removal wasn’t due to any performance problems with the game or any technical issues. Instead, it was due to a conflict between Apple and Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite.
The Dispute Between Apple and Epic Games
The dispute between Apple and Epic Games started when the latter added a direct payment option in the mobile version of Fortnite. This allowed players to bypass the App Store’s payment system and pay Epic Games directly, thereby avoiding Apple’s 30 percent commission. Apple didn’t like that and believed that it violated its App Store policies, which prohibit developers from bypassing Apple’s payment system. As a result, Apple banned Fortnite from the App Store.
Lawsuit Between Apple and Epic Games
Epic Games soon counter-sued Apple. The game developer did well to drum up support for its cause, framing the issue as a fight against Apple’s monopoly over mobile app distribution. Epic Games’ lawsuit states that Apple’s strict control over the App Store limits competition, and that Apple’s fee of up to 30% has forced developers to raise prices and cut back on innovation.
The Impacts of the Ban on Fortnite and the Game Industry
The ban by Apple has had far-reaching impacts on Fortnite and the gaming industry as a whole. Let’s take a look at some of these impacts.
Financial Impacts
Fortnite has been a lucrative game, raking in more than $1 billion in revenue in its first year and $5.5 billion in 2018 alone. However, when it got banned from the App Store, Epic Games lost its access to more than 1 billion iOS users. This has resulted in a significant decline in revenue. Fortnite’s revenue in August 2020 – the same month it was removed from the App Store – was reported to be 70% less, compared to the previous month.
Legal Impacts
The legal impact of the ban is more far-reaching than the financial impact. It could have significant implications for the future of the gaming industry. The lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games could change the way app stores operate. It could lead to a shift in control and more freedoms for game developers in the app stores.
Community Impacts
The banning of Fortnite from the App Store caused a lot of uproar amongst the Fortnite community. The game has a massive audience, and many of them are iOS users. The heated arguments and controversies could also turn off players from the game.
The Future of Gaming in Relation to Apple’s Ban of Fortnite
It’s difficult to predict what the future holds, but we can speculate on how Apple’s ban of Fortnite could impact the future of gaming.
App Distribution
Apple’s App Store is one of the largest platforms for distributing mobile games globally. If the lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games results in a change, it could lead to more opportunities for game developers to distribute their games more freely.
More Companies Protesting Against Apple
Since Epic Games’ lawsuit against Apple, other companies have been joining in on the protest. Spotify, Hey email service, and Match Group (which owns Tinder) have made similar complaints. They argue that Apple employs similar strategies to limit competition and charge excessive commissions.
FAQS
Why Did Apple Ban Fortnite?
Apple banned Fortnite because of a dispute that arose after Epic Games added a direct payment option in the mobile version of Fortnite. This allowed players to bypass the App Store’s payment system and pay Epic Games directly, thereby avoiding Apple’s 30 percent commission.
What Happened After the Ban?
The banning of Fortnite from the App Store caused a lot of uproar amongst Fortnite players. Epic Games sued Apple, and the lawsuit could potentially change the way app stores operate.
What Are the Impacts of the Ban on Fortnite?
The ban had far-reaching impacts on Fortnite and the gaming industry as a whole. Epic Games lost out on the revenue generated from iOS users, which was estimated at $1 billion a year. It could also have significant implications for the future of game distribution in app stores.
Conclusion
Apple’s banning of Fortnite from the App Store was a significant event in the gaming industry. While the dispute between Apple and Epic Games is still ongoing, it has sparked conversations that could change the future of the gaming industry. Only time will tell what the future holds, but the debate surrounding the ban has encouraged individuals and companies to explore new ways to innovate and distribute games.