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Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

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1704 points ardit33 | 4 comments | 13 Aug 20 19:03 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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andreasley ◴[13 Aug 20 20:37 UTC] No.24148645[source]▶
Epic Games has filed a lawsuit [1] and published a Fortnite-themed parody of Apple's "1984" [2] to get some publicity for it.

[1] https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euiSHuaw6Q4

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js2 ◴[13 Aug 20 22:04 UTC] No.24150052[source]▶
I like the parody, but it's not really equivalent.

The original Apple parody was to convince consumers to switch from one platform (PC) to a different platform (Mac).

Now, maybe you believe Apple, in the form of iOS, has become Big Brother. Fine, in that case, Epic should provide its own gaming platform.

But Epic isn't trying to destroy Big Brother here. It still wants to run on Big Brother's platform. It just doesn't want to give up any revenue to do so.

Shrug.

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dgrin91 ◴[13 Aug 20 23:07 UTC] No.24150799[source]▶
Epic stated that they want to create their own separate app store outside of apple, but are unable to because apple does not allow sideloading.

So no, Epic doesn't want to run on Big Brother's platform.

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1. jsjohnst ◴[14 Aug 20 02:53 UTC] No.24152696[source]▶
> Epic stated that they want to create their own separate app store outside of apple, but are unable to because apple does not allow sideloading.

That argument would ring less hollow had they done that on the platform that does allow side loading, but they eventually published on the Google Play store.

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2. gpm ◴[14 Aug 20 03:31 UTC] No.24152985[source]▶
They do also still allow sideloading on android. Which was actually what their update did on Apple too (you can buy things via apple pay, or directly from us for less money)

Actually they just got banned on android as well, so now they only allow sideloading on android.

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3. ehnto ◴[14 Aug 20 03:36 UTC] No.24153017[source]▶
Epic has a platform on PC, I imagine they just see the writing on the wall for phone app stores and held off.
4. jsjohnst ◴[14 Aug 20 11:48 UTC] No.24156659[source]▶
> They do also still allow sideloading on android.

My point was, they had the chance and in fact did go completely sideloading on Android, but eventually caved and joined the Play store. Obviously there’s value enough for them to take Google’s 30% cut in the Play store, so why did they do it? Why wasn’t staying sideload only enough, especially when they are arguing they should be able to do it on iOS.

> Which was actually what their update did on Apple too

Sorry, but that’s 100% false. Adding an extra payment option in your app is not the same thing as sideloading and not going through the App Store for publishing and distribution. Apples and Oranges so you speak.