Securing Lasting Freedoms for All

#FreeFortnite

Why We Fight

Epic gave Fortnite players on iOS a choice between Apple payment and Epic direct payment, passing on savings to direct purchasers. Apple retaliated by blocking Fortnite updates on iOS devices and threatening to prevent Epic from creating software for all Apple devices — not just on Fortnite but all of our games, and Unreal Engine too.

Apple is asking that Epic revert Fortnite to exclusively use Apple payments. Their proposal is an invitation for Epic to collude with Apple to maintain their monopoly over in-app payments on iOS, suppressing free market competition and inflating prices. As a matter of principle, we won’t participate in this scheme.

You, as a mobile device owner, have the right to install apps from sources of your choosing. Software makers have the right to freely express their ideas and to compete in a fair marketplace. Apple’s policies take these freedoms away.

Apple’s policies are so restrictive that they block gaming services like Microsoft xCloud, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Google Stadia from existing on iOS. Apple’s policies would have even blocked the World Wide Web if it had been invented after the iPhone, because Apple policies disallow running code not reviewed by Apple, accepting payments directly from customers, and accessing content not reviewed by Apple — all fundamental features of the web. These policies, together with Apple’s chilling enforcement strategy, directly impede innovation and invention of entirely new kinds of apps, games, and businesses.

Epic is one of the many game developers who has long worked to advance better and fairer platform practices, such as cross-platform gameplay, communication, accounts, and items in Fortnite on 7 platforms (though now only 6). We are committed to securing lasting freedoms for all. This is why we fight.

You can view the record of our legal dispute in our August 13, August 17, and August 23 filings.

UPDATE (August 26):

Apple is blocking Fortnite updates and new installs on the App Store, and has said they will terminate our ability to develop Fortnite for Apple devices. As a result, Fortnite’s newly released Chapter 2 - Season 4 update (v14.00), will not release on iOS and macOS on August 27.

If you still want to play Fortnite on Android, you can access the latest version of Fortnite from the Epic Games App for Android on Fortnite.com/Android or the Samsung Galaxy Store.

Will there be any account issues if I continue to play Fortnite’s 13.40 update on my iOS device while also playing subsequent updates on other devices?

If you already downloaded Fortnite via the App Store, you should have no issues continuing to play Chapter 2 - Season 3’s v13.40 update — whether you’re only playing on mobile devices or also playing the latest version of Fortnite on other devices. Note: The Season 3 Battle Pass will end on August 27 and further progression will not be possible on any platform.

Players who have downloaded Fortnite on iOS before can re-download the app by:

• Opening the App Store
• Clicking the Account icon in the top right corner
• Click “Purchased” to open the list of apps you’ve previously downloaded
• Click the Cloud or Download button next to the Fortnite app

UPDATE (August 23):

Apple has blocked Fortnite from the App Store, removing players’ ability to install and update the game on iOS devices, while instructing Epic to “remove the ‘Epic direct payment’ feature”. Apple is keeping prices high so they can collect 30% of consumer payments made in apps like Fortnite, and is blocking Fortnite in order to prevent Epic from passing on the savings from direct payments to players. Epic has taken legal action to end Apple’s anti-competitive restrictions on mobile device marketplaces. Papers are available for our August 13, August 17, and August 23 filings.

Why are players blocked by Apple from updating Fortnite?

After we added direct Epic payments to save players up to 20%, Apple retaliated by blocking Fortnite players from installing and updating the game through the App Store. Apple demands that game developers use their payment processing service, which charges an exorbitant rate of 30%. Apple blocks developers from using more efficient payment methods such as Mastercard (including Apple Card), Visa, and Paypal, which charge rates of 2.5% to 3.5%, and therefore prevent developers from passing the savings on to customers.

Why shouldn't Apple collect 30% on App Store sales? Aren't they providing the store where developers sell software?

Apple intentionally sabotages consumer iOS devices to prevent users from installing software directly from developers, as consumers are free to do on PC and Mac. We know this is an intentional strategy because iOS does fully support installing software from the web — but only allows it for corporations.

Apple uses this direct-installation blockade in order to force consumers to use their App Store, and then demands that game developers use their payment processing service. By blocking consumer choice in software installation, Apple has created a problem so they can profit from the solution.

What outcome does Epic hope for to resolve this blockade by Apple?

Epic’s position is that all mobile developers and consumers have the right to choose alternate payment providers that charge less, as is the norm on all other general-purpose computing platforms, including Web, Windows, and Mac. We expect to see a general change in smartphone practices industry-wide for all developers that brings greater value and freedom of choice to consumers. We expect Apple to unblock Fortnite.

Does Apple block all apps from processing direct payments?

No. Thousands of apps on the App Store are allowed by Apple to accept direct payments, including commonly used apps like Amazon, Grubhub, Nike SNKRS, Best Buy, DoorDash, Fandango, McDonalds, and StubHub. Apple is just blocking direct payments for certain products (like games) and companies (like Epic). Epic believes that all mobile users have a right to save money using more efficient purchasing options. Adding our own payment system allows us to offer players choice while passing along savings, just like other apps are allowed to do. This choice provides a more level playing field on mobile stores while saving players money, which Apple should agree is a positive thing for everyone!

Does a new payment method on mobile mean purchases there are less safe?

No. In operating Fortnite on open platforms and operating the Epic Games Store, Epic has processed over $1,600,000,000 of direct payments successfully, and uses industry trusted encryption and security measures to protect customer transactions.

Clearly Apple acknowledges that third party payment services are safe and acceptable for goods and services. Epic direct payment simply offers players the same kinds of payment options as these other apps.

Why don't you offer purchases outside of the app, as Netflix did with their subscriptions?

This is a user-unfriendly solution. Apple prohibits apps like Netflix from even telling customers how to pay for their subscription service outside of the app. Epic wants to give all customers simple, in-app purchasing options free of Apple obstruction.

Why doesn’t Epic capitulate to Apple’s demand to remove Epic direct payment?

We have chosen to fight Apple’s policies on behalf of all consumers and their right to have access to more efficient payment methods and to receive the best prices available

Apple has rules. Why is Epic expecting an exception to those rules?

We don't seek a special exception for Epic. We firmly believe Apple’s policies must be changed for all developers. For over a decade, Apple has single-mindedly crafted and proliferated a tangled web of rules and policies to impose a 30% tax on apps while preventing competitors from offering a better deal. That’s around 10x more than what a typical transaction may cost on competing payment processing services such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, which charge rates of 2.5% to 3.5%. When competition is stifled, the customer always loses.

Their rules are designed to cement their monopoly, to limit consumer choice, and to stifle competition in digital goods specifically. Apple doesn't force customers to use their payment system to add 30% to the price of their dinner when they purchase a meal through Grubhub or DoorDash. Apple even allows Amazon Prime Video to process payments directly as a special deal while holding other apps to a different standard. So why do customers have to use Apple’s payment services and increase their prices to pay a 30% app tax for games such as Fortnite? There’s no good reason.

Why is Epic advocating for open mobile platforms?

Mobile devices are essential computing devices upon which we conduct our social and professional lives and engage in commerce and entertainment. Apple cannot rightly control the terms of physical and digital commerce and use their monopoly power over devices to prevent competition in payment processing, stores, and app curation. Apple has artificially restricted iOS so that there is no competition, so that creators earn less, and so that consumers are forced to pay higher prices. There’s no reason why smartphone app stores and payment processing should function any differently than a personal computer.

What if a player wants a refund?

Unfortunately, Apple does not allow Epic Games to directly refund players and instead requires players to ask Apple for a refund. Please follow these instructions to ask Apple for a refund: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204084.

Where can I read about more on this topic?

Amid antitrust scrutiny, Apple makes quiet power moves over developers

Their Businesses Went Virtual. Then Apple Wanted a Cut.

How App Makers Break Their Apps to Avoid Paying Apple

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What’s the Fortnite Mega Drop? What’s happening with Fortnite V-Bucks prices?

Today, August 13, we announced the Fortnite Mega Drop. The Fortnite Mega Drop is an up to 20% price reduction on all V-Bucks and real-money offers inside of Fortnite when using select payment methods. This isn’t a sale... these are our new discount prices available anytime.

How can players get these savings?

V-Bucks and real-money offers have been automatically discounted by up to 20% on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and PC.

On mobile, we’ve introduced a new way to pay on iOS and Android: Epic direct payment. When players choose to use Epic direct payments, they save up to 20%. Here’s how it works:

 

Choose Epic direct payment to get the best deal on V-Bucks and real-money purchases.

Currently, there are no savings if players use Apple and Google payment options, where Apple and Google collect an exorbitant 30% fee on all payments. If Apple and Google lower their fees on payments, Epic will pass along the savings to players.

Why has Epic decided to implement its payment system for purchases inside Fortnite on iOS and Android?

By offering an alternate payment system, we're not only offering players more choice, but we're able to pass along the savings to players.

About Epic Games

Founded in 1991, Epic Games is an American company founded by CEO Tim Sweeney. The company is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina and has more than 40 offices worldwide. Today Epic is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology. Epic operates Fortnite, one of the world’s largest games with over 350 million accounts and 2.5 billion friend connections. Epic also develops Unreal Engine, which powers the world’s leading games and is also adopted across industries such as film and television, architecture, automotive, manufacturing, and simulation. Through Unreal Engine, Epic Games Store, and Epic Online Services, Epic provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem for developers and creators to build, distribute, and operate games and other content.

Media contact: PR@epicgames.com

from Hacker News https://ift.tt/3gXzOCp