Fortnite Kicked Out of Play Store, Epic Sues Google

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Fortnite Kicked Out of Play Store, Epic Sues Google

Update: Like Apple, Epic Games has also filed a lawsuit against Google; while Epic has not (yet) targeted Google with parody videos, the lawsuit dramatically captures a famous marketing slogan from Google's past.

"In 1998, Google was founded as an exciting young company with the unique motto 'Don't Be Evil.' Google's code of conduct explained that this commandment was "how we serve our users" and "more generally, how we do the right thing."

"Twenty-two years later, Google has largely relegated that motto to an afterthought, using its scale to wickedly serve competitors, innovators, customers, and users in the many markets it has grown to dominate.

As with the lawsuit against Apple, Epic is not seeking money in this lawsuit, nor is it seeking to "prevent Google from publicly challenging its monopolistic behavior," as Google now claims exists with Activision and perhaps other companies Epic emphasizes that it is not seeking a special agreement from Google, such as those established "to prevent Google from publicly challenging its monopolistic behavior. [But Epic is not interested in a side deal that leaves Google's anti-competitive restraints in place and benefits only Epic. Instead, Epic is focused on opening up the Android ecosystem for the benefit of all developers and consumers."

"Accordingly, Epic seeks injunctive relief from the Court... Google's conduct has caused and continues to cause Epic economic harm, but Epic is not bringing this action to recover those damages. Epic is not seeking monetary relief, only an injunction to stop Google from continuing to impose its anti-competitive practices on the Android ecosystem.

The full text of Epic's lawsuit against Google is available from The Verge. We will bring you more updates as they become available.

Original:

Earlier today, Apple removed Fortnite from the iOS App Store after Epic Games challenged its payment processing policies by purchasing V-Bucks directly from Epic. A similar proposal was also made for the Android version, with similar results, as reported by The Verge: Fortnite was also removed from the Google Play Store.

Google is not as restrictive as Apple when it comes to its devices and marketplace, but it has a very clear policy regarding in-app purchases: "In games downloaded on Google Play that offer products or access to game content developers must use Google Play In-App Purchases as a payment method. Google, like Apple, collects 30% of apps and in-app purchases made through its own storefront.

"The open Android ecosystem allows developers to distribute their apps through multiple app stores, and for game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have a consistent and fair for developers and secure for users store policy," Google said in a statement.

"Fortnite remains available on Android, but is no longer available on Play due to violations of our policies. However, we continue to discuss this with Epic and welcome the opportunity to bring Fortnite back to Google Play."

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The removal of Google Play is not a tectonic shift like the removal of the App Store. This is because Fortnite has only been offered in the Play Store since April, and prior to that it was installable from the web; Epic had asked for an exception to the Play Store's 30% fee, but Google would not budge. Given the development of the App Store today and the legal action Epic subsequently brought against Apple, one has to wonder if one of the reasons Epic gave in was because it knew this day would come anyway.

It is also worth noting that unlike iOS owners, Android users can get Fortnite for their devices. Google is allowing its devices to access the software through a third-party marketplace - that's how Epic was previously able to offer Fortnite on Android without being in the Play Store, and you can still grab it at epicgames. You can hop on over to epicgames.com and grab it directly.

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