Epic Games is suing Google over the removal of Fortnite from the Google Play store. This revelation comes after a busy day for Epic, which already launched a full-scale media war against Apple over Fortnite's removal from the App Store. Epic filed legal documents against Apple earlier in the day.
Fortnite has been established as a cultural icon ever since its explosive rise to fame in 2018. To this day, it stands as one of the most beloved online games of all time. Now, Epic has begun channeling that massive legacy into a warlike posture against two digital media giants. Earlier today, Epic announced a permanent cost reduction on its in-game currency V-Bucks, with a special added payment system on mobile devices that completely circumvents the App Store and the Google Play Store, cutting Apple and Google out of their profit split. Apple swiftly removed Fortnite from the App Store over this upset, and Epic Games immediately retaliated with a public campaign lampooning Apple for going against the values it espoused in its iconic 1984 commercial. And it didn't let up there, shortly thereafter announcing that it had filed legal papers against Apple calling out the tech giant for operating a presumed monopoly.
Google didn't take Epic's challenge lying down either, and pulled Fortnite from the Google Play Store. Epic, it appears, is just as ready to throw down the gauntlet against Google as it is against Apple. As reported on Twitter by eSports consultant Rod Breslau, Epic Games is suing Google as well for anti-trust behavior. Breslau included a photo of the lawsuit filing, which shows Epic gearing up to take on Google and several of the company's subsidiaries.
Epic Games is taking a very aggressive stance toward these online distributors, and it's not hard to see why. Apple in particular has already been attacked online by numerous companies like Microsoft and Facebook over how it handles its online marketplace. Google has also faced plenty of concern that it's growing too big and too powerful to adequately foster an open, free internet environment. While plenty of companies are content to insult each other over social media and complain about various prohibitive practices, few companies have been willing to take the gloves off like Epic has.
It's a very thrilling day for the tech and entertainment industry. A win for Epic Games could have far-reaching consequences for the entire industry, forcing mobile entertainment providers like Google and Apple to drastically change how they offer their services. Hundreds of fans across social media have spoken out in support of Epic Games, and the hashtag #FreeFortnite is trending on Twitter. If this fan support translates to success in court, then Fortnite could forever change the video game industry, and hopefully for the better.
Source: Rod Breslau