![[UPDATE] Epic Invokes '1984' As Apple Blocks Fortnite, Google Blocks Too](http://media.mmorpg.com/images/heroes/posts/119100.jpg?cb=A48AEE9935301B5BE0D0D7F869552A74)
Yup, it happened. Epic Games have invoked “1984” – yes, that “1984” – in response to Apple blocking Fortnite from the App Store.
[UPDATE 8/13/20] It looks like Google has also blocked Fortnite from the Google Play Store. Here's Google's statement via The Verge,
The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.
Original story continues below.
It started when Epic introduced a 20% savings in V-bucks when you used their own payment method called Epic Direct Payments. This would circumenvent Apple’s own cut of the sales, thereby passing the “payment processing savings to you.”
At checkout, you’d select “Epic direct payment” and you’d be all set. This was done because Apple and Google collect a 30% fee. Well, that’s changed now. In an update, Epic released the following statement,
“Apple has blocked your access to Fortnite on iOS devices! Take Action! #FreeFortnite
Epic has taken legal action to end Apple’s anti-competitive restrictions on mobile device marketplaces. The papers are available here.”
You can actually view the lawsuit pages in their entirety here. Epic posted this dedicated webpage providing more information. In fact, the official Fortnite account on Twitter has this as their pinned tweet in which they invoke “1984.”
“Epic Games has defied the App Store Monopoly. In retaliation, Apple is blocking Fortnite from a billion devices. Visit fn.gg/freefortnite and join the fight to stop 2020 from becoming ‘1984’”
The tweet is accompanied by a distinctly Fortnite parody of Apple’s infamous 1984 commercial in which they were the little guy going up against IBM. You can watch Fortnite’s parody here.
And here is Apple’s 1984 commercial.
