Fortnite has taken another step in its ongoing battle with the iPhone giant. Fortnite creator Epic Games has reaffirmed its request for a preliminary injunction that requires Apple to put back the video game on its App Store.
The gaming company has debunked several claims made by Apple in a California court filing. One of these claims suggested that the gamer’s interest in Fortnite was short-lived. Epic Games countered these allegations by calling Apple a monopolist. It argued that Fortnite would suffer irreparable harm.
Apple removes Fortnite from App Store over violation of the payment system
Apple removed the Fortnite app from its App Store in August after Epic Games violated the iPhone maker’s rules by introducing a direct payment option into the game without Apple’s approval. If this payment system is allowed, it will compete with Apple’s in-app purchase systems, which the company requires all apps to use.
Currently, when gamers on iOS devices make in-app purchases, Apple gets a 30% cut of these sales. Fortnite’s direct payment system posed as a hindrance to this system.
Fortnite searches down by 70%, says Apple
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Apple blamed Epic Games for the removal from the app store, stating that the gaming firm is holding its own customers’ hostage to gain an upper hand in a business dispute. In an opposing court document, it claims that “Epic started the fire, poured gasoline on it and now has come forward to ask the court to assist it in putting the fire out”. The iPhone giant also said that as per Google Trends data, searches for Fortnite are down by 70% last year.
Epic Games wants the game back on App Store, before a court ruling on September 28
Epic Games criticized Apple’s report, accusing it of using data selectively to mislead the courts. It said that Apple’s papers contain numerous half-truths and outright falsities that intend to show Epic Games in a bad light. It also claims that the iPhone maker chose to use misleading Google Trends data when in actuality, the Fortnite players have increased by 39%.
A full court hearing is scheduled on September 28. Before then, Epic Games wants Fortnite back on the App Store. Epic said that it is seeking only one thing, which is to allow customers an alternative payment option that will allow customer choice and lower price as the litigation proceeds.