It looks like the Fortnite Android version now been taken by the Storm. Apple took the game off its storefronts earlier today, citing a violation of its rules from the new update that redirected users to Epic’s payment site instead of Apple’s. While it took a little longer, Google came to the same conclusion. Searching for the game on the Google Play Store only gives results for different companion apps.
However, Android users can still install the game, but must do so through the Epic Games app or Samsung Galaxy Store. Android is notoriously a more open platform, which is why it’s still downloadable in some fashion in way that iOS users could only dream of.
And despite the differences between platforms, Google essentially gave the same justification as Apple for its ruling, according to 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.”
Epic has had an odd history with the Google Play Store. The game was originally on the platform, before being removed in August 2018. The company only put it back on the official store earlier this year.
Other companies like Spotify have come out in support of Epic. Epic is also not seeking monetary compensation from its lawsuit with Apple and merely wants to practices that it dubs as “monopolistic.” While Epic would obviously monetarily benefit from this since it wouldn’t have to give a cut to Apple or Google, it does match its developer-friendly attitude of freeing up the marketplace from tactics that harm creatives. The company gave a similar statement when it announced publishing deals with GenDesign, Playdead, and Remedy earlier this year.
Unlike its bout with Apple, there was no 1984-esque video disparaging Android for its practice nor has there been any sort of lawsuit. However, given the history, it’s probable that at least one of those is going to change quite soon.
