This is the answer to Apple.
Epic Games is suing Apple, it has just become known after Apple removed the game from the App Store. The reaction came after Epic Games introduced a direct way to pay, without paying the "App Store tax".
Updated, 22:05:
This is what Apple has to say about the case:
Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step by breaking the guidelines for the App Store, which are the same for all developers and designed to keep the store safe for our users. Therefore, the Fortnite app has been removed.
Epic has had apps in the App Store for a decade, and has benefited from the App Store ecosystem - including tools, testing and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic freely entered into the App Store terms and conditions, and we are pleased that they have built such a successful business on the App Store. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special scheme does not change the fact that these guidelines create equal conditions for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will do our utmost to work with Epic to resolve this so that they can return Fortnite to the App Store. "
Watch Epic's stunt in Fortnite:
Epic sues Apple
The information comes on Twitter from the Fortnite account in the form of the documents Epic Games' lawyers have sent to Apple.
Probably the payment stunt in Fortnite was a way to lure Apple out on the field because Epic followed up with the lawsuit very shortly after. Apple is more powerful, but Epic also has a lot of money and has brands that will make iPhone customers annoyed enough if Apple and the studio do not come to a solution.
This is what Epic writes in the lawsuit, after first starting with references to Apple's commercial from 1984:
The case concerns Apple's use of a number of anti-competitive restrictions and monopolistic practices in markets for (i) distribution of software applications ("apps") to users of mobile data devices such as smartphones and tablets, and (ii) the processing of consumers' digital content payments such as used in iOS mobile apps ("content in the app").
Apple imposes unreasonable and illegal restrictions that completely monopolize both markets and prevent software developers from reaching over a billion users with mobile devices (such as iPhones and iPads) unless they go through a single store controlled by Apple, the App Store, where Apple requires 30 percent tax on sales of each app. Apple also requires software developers who want to sell digital content in the app to consumers to use a single payment option for the payment
offered by Apple, in-app purchases, which similarly have 30 percent tax. "
Epic points out that developers can make apps available on Mac and MacBook in an "open market" with far lower taxes at an average of 3 percent.
At the same time, Epic will make fun of Apple on Fortnite at 22:00 tonight