The official mobile version of Fortnite has gained high popularity since it was launched in 2018. Despite attracting millions of players to its mobile platform, an incredibly terrible decision has been made for Fortnite. The reason why Epic Games put an end to one of its most fruitful games is still the topic of heated debates in the music industry, the gaming industry, and probably many online conversations even. Let's go on to figure out what happened with Fortnite.

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Why did Apple ban Fortnite?

A recent updated version of Fortnite was made to help it ignore the integrated payments system of Apple, which directly violated the compromise as well as App Store terms of service that Epic Games is supposed to follow. Not surprisingly, this update has forced Apple to remove Fortnite from the App Store at no time, and it's exactly what happened to Fortnite right now. 

Fortnite Vs Apple
An updated version of Fortnite was made to help it ignore the integrated payments system of Apple, which directly violated the compromise as well as App Store's terms of service

But why could Epic Games make such a weird decision? The answer provided by the developer is that Apple’s revenue share percentage is too high for them to afford. For now, the cost taken from any app payments fluctuates from 15% to 30% with the differences depend on the arrangement of the developers. As argued by Epic, there is no competitiveness shown in this percentage, and it even places itself at risk.  

Fortnite Apple
For now, the cost taken from any app payments fluctuates from 15% to 30% with the differences depend on the arrangement of the developers.

When will Fortnite come back to Apple?

While not many players are aware of what happened to Fortnite mobile, Epic has announced an antitrust lawsuit against both Apple and Google concerning their revenue-sharing compromise. Apple gives an answer claiming that there is definitely no monopoly presented in its App Store’s terms of service. But Epic Games refutes by trying to prove that the App Store should be abolished as a sole point of every new apps’ installation on iOS. 

Fortnite App Store
Epic has announced an antitrust lawsuit against both Apple and Google concerning their revenue-sharing compromise.

In particular, Epic Games explains that the removal of Apple on Fortnite simply exemplified its burning desire to impose unbearable restrictions and illegal maintenance of its entire monopoly over iOS. In an attempt to get the support of gamers being angry at the removal of Fortnite Mobile, Epic has posted a ‘1984’ parody video. 

Fortnite 1984
In an attempt to get the support of gamers being angry at the removal of Fortnite Mobile, Epic has posted a ‘1984’ parody video.

In this video, a currently viral Apple commercial was parodied with a bid to #FreeFortnite. Epic Games claimed in its legal filing that until 2020, Apple has exactly turned into what it once fought against: a giant trying to control the market, obstruct competition, and discourage innovation. 

Will this impact new music releases in Fortnite?

Either 'Yes' or 'No'. Fortnite has prepared itself to become a virtual stage for many artists’ tours. Several names benefit from it include Travis Scott, Marshmello, Steve Aoki, Major Lazor. But lacking access to the iOS market, the global reach that Fortnite desires have obvious limitation. 

Fortnite Music
It's also a disadvantage for Fortnite when it has to face stiff competitions against other social games in the music field.

What happened in Fortnite today? It's also a disadvantage for Fortnite when it has to face stiff competitions against other social games in the music field. Recently, the launch party for Ava Max’s album was organized successfully by Roblox that is still a game available on iOS. Also, a sound stage was built for Fortnite’s exclusive concerts that were kept in the Party Royale format. However, without the far-reaching to a variety of mobile platforms, many wonder whether its virtual stage is still an ideal tour stop or not. 

What happens next with Fortnite?

Obviously, this is just a small step of a large fight that Fortnite has to take care of. Epic Games is actually one of the founders of the Coalition for App Fairness - an organization established to put an end to mobile monopolies. Other founding members are popular names from the music industry - Spotify and Deezer. 

Spotify Vs Apple
Epic Games is actually one of the founders of the Coalition for App Fairness, along with Spotify and Deezer.

This movement even attracts the involvement of other major players in the gaming industry. Currently, game streaming services from Google (Stadia) and Microsoft (xCloud) are blocked from the App Store. Answering to this issue, Apple explained that it could not moderate those third-party game marketplaces due to their content. 

How the case of Apple and Epic Games is solved will be very meaningful to the result as well as the future of the long-term fight. So far, the requirement claiming Apple to bring back Fortnite to App Store has been rejected by a federal judge. According to Judge Rogers, Epic Games has to take responsibility for its own action and Apple doesn’t need to restore the app while waiting for another trial. 

That's all about what happened with Fortnite. Feel free to leave a comment below and stay tuned before Fornite makes a comeback in the near future!