Fortnite gaming app ban sets stage for ‘Epic’ battle with Apple, Google

On Thursday (August 13), Fortnite, one of the online gaming division of Epic Games announced ‘Epic direct payment’, an in-app feature for all transactions on PCs and mobiles.

However, the new feature violated Apple and Google guidelines, and also the company did not seek prior approval before releasing a feature that involves monetary transactions. Like all apps, Fortnite was also supposed to pay commission for every purchase made by customers, to the host platforms– Apple App Store and Google Play.

Apparently, the new Epic direct payment feature bypassed the Google and Apple payment channels and allowed a 20% discount on in-game currency (V-bucks) for customers.

The Cupertino-based company took immediate action by blocking the Fortnite on App Store.