In the opening paragraphs, we will provide quick answers to key questions about why Google deleted Fortnite from the Google Play Store.
Why did Google delete Fortnite? Google deleted Fortnite because Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in the app, which violated Google’s Play Store policies requiring the use of Google’s in-app purchase system.
When did Google delete Fortnite? Google removed Fortnite from the Play Store on August 13, 2020.
How long was Fortnite unavailable on the Play Store? Fortnite was unavailable on the Google Play Store for over a year, before returning in April 2021.
What policy did Epic Games violate? Epic violated section 3.2.1 of the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement, which requires developers to use Google Play’s billing system for in-app purchases.
How did Epic Games respond? Epic filed lawsuits against both Google and Apple, alleging anticompetitive behavior and violations of antitrust law. Epic also launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #FreeFortnite.
Background
Fortnite is an extremely popular free-to-play battle royale video game developed and published by Epic Games. It was first released in 2017 and quickly became one of the most successful games in the world, amassing over 350 million players by 2021.
The game is free to download and play, but generates revenue through optional in-game purchases of skins, emotes, season passes, and other digital items. On mobile platforms like Android and iOS, these in-app purchases are processed through the platform owner’s payment system – the Google Play Store for Android devices, and the Apple App Store for iOS.
Typically, the platform owners take a 30% commission on all in-app purchases. Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has been publicly critical of this commission structure, arguing that it harms developers and consumers by forcing high fees.
Epic Introduces Direct Payment Option
In early August 2020, Epic updated Fortnite on iOS and Android to introduce a direct payment option. This allowed players to purchase in-game currency (V-bucks) directly from Epic Games, bypassing Apple and Google’s payment systems.
The direct payment option offered a 20% discount on V-bucks purchased through Epic compared to through the App Store or Play Store. Epic cited the 30% commission taken by Apple and Google as the reason they could offer this discount.
This violated section 3.2.1 of Google’s Play Store policies, which state:
“Developers offering products within a game downloaded on Google Play or providing access to game content must use Google Play In-app Billing as the method of payment.”
Google quickly responded by removing Fortnite from the Play Store later on August 13, 2020.
Google’s Reasoning for Fortnite Ban
In a statement, Google justified the decision to delete Fortnite as enforcement of long-standing Play Store policies:
“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.”
The company emphasized that these policies were in place to protect consumers and maintain fairness with developers. By requiring the use of Google’s payment system, they can ensure purchases are handled securely, offer refunds and customer support, and comply with local tax laws.
Google also takes a commission from in-app purchases, which they argue covers the costs of operating and developing the Play Store. Letting developers implement their own payment systems means Google cannot collect fees to recoup those expenses.
Lastly, Google said enforcing consistent policies is fair for all developers on the Play Store. Making exceptions for large companies like Epic Games would establish a double standard.
Epic’s Perspective
Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has been outspoken in portraying app store fees and policies as monopolistic and harmful to consumers and developers. When Fortnite was removed, Sweeney tweeted:
“Google disabled Epic’s ability to distribute Fortnite on Google Play, and is using its size to rig the rules in its favor, harming consumers, developers and entrepreneurialism.”
Sweeney has argued that Google imposing use of its own payment system on in-app purchases represents an abuse of market power. In his view, Google is leveraging its monopoly position as the dominant provider of the Android OS and Play Store to force excessive fees and stifle competition.
Introducing a direct payment option was meant to demonstrate that lower prices are possible without the “tax” imposed by Google’s 30% commission. Sweeney believes consumers and developers, not Google, should benefit from Epic’s lower costs from direct payments.
Fortnite Antitrust Lawsuits
In response to Fortnite’s removal from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, Epic Games launched antitrust lawsuits against Apple on August 13, 2020, and against Google on August 14, 2020.
The complaints allege that Apple and Google’s app store policies and commissions violate US antitrust laws, specifically the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Epic is seeking injunctions to end what they view as Apple and Google’s monopolistic practices.
Some key allegations from the lawsuits include:
- Apple and Google have a monopoly over the iOS and Android app distribution markets, respectively, by requiring developers to use their proprietary app stores and payment systems.
- The 30% commission on in-app purchases exploits this monopoly to charge excessive fees that harm competition.
- Epic Games is forced into using Apple and Google’s payment systems against its will; if not, they face removal from the app stores.
- Apple and Google unlawfully tie distribution through their app stores to the mandatory use of their payment systems for in-app purchases.
- This results in inflated commissions while blocking alternative payment processing options that could provide lower costs to developers and consumers.
The Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in 2021. The Epic Games v. Google lawsuit is still in earlier stages as of early 2021.
Apple’s Response
Apple fiercely defended its policies in a public statement on August 14, 2020:
“Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.”
The company claimed Epic was seeking a “special arrangement” to avoid paying commissions, something no other developer can do on the App Store. Apple also emphasized that its commission structure has existed for more than a decade and applies evenly across all developers.
Lastly, Apple denied allegations of being a monopoly, saying “customers have choice and that competition is alive and well on mobile devices.” iOS users can access content through web browsers and other apps available on the App Store.
Google’s Response
Google also pushed back against Epic’s antitrust claims and characterized the Fortnite dispute as a refusal to comply with long-established Play Store rules.
In a public statement on August 14, 2020, Google said:
“Android enables multiple app stores and choices for developers to distribute apps. Google Play has a business model and billing policy that allow us to invest in our platform and tools to help developers build successful businesses while keeping users safe. Epic breached its contract with Google by launching this restricted campaign and now wants preferential treatment that other Play developers don’t have.”
Google emphasized that Epic violated clear policies that apply equally to every developer, and that changing those policies would be unfair. They reiterated that Play Store fees cover ongoing investments that benefit the Android ecosystem.
Aftermath and Fortnite’s Return
Fortnite remained unavailable on the Google Play Store for over a year following its removal in August 2020. Players could still install Fortnite on Android devices, but only by downloading the Epic Games app directly from Epic’s website. Installation from outside the Play Store is permitted on Android, unlike iOS.
In April 2021, Fortnite finally returned to the Google Play Store globally. Epic agreed to comply with Google’s payment system policies.
However, Epic’s direct payment option is still available to players who downloaded Fortnite from Epic’s website. So the dispute with Google remains unresolved, even as Fortnite is again available for mainstream Android users via Play Store installation.
Epic also continues to pursue its antitrust lawsuit against Google, which could take years to reach a conclusion in the courts. But for now, the removal of Fortnite punishments from both stores of the dominant mobile platforms is over.
Conclusion
In summary, Google removed Fortnite from the Play Store in August 2020 after Epic violated the requirement to use Google’s in-app purchase system by adding direct payments. This was part of Epic’s plan to challenge what they view as Apple and Google’s monopolistic app store policies and excessive commissions.
Google cited the need to enforce its Play Store rules consistently across developers and maintain the quality of the Android ecosystem. But Epic alleges Google is abusing its market power in mobile operating systems and app distribution to force developers into unfavorable terms.
The dispute led Epic to file an antitrust lawsuit against Google, similar to its lawsuit against Apple. After over a year banned from the Play Store, Fortnite finally returned in April 2021 although the legal fight continues. This high-profile controversy reflects the growing conflicts between major tech companies, developers, and regulators over app store fairness and competition.