The lawsuit going on between Epic Games and Apple – according to the judge that will decide – will impact Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft with the consequences.

In short, the lawsuit is happening because Epic Games has had enough of Apple taking a 30% cut from the microtransactions of Fortnite Battle Royale for being available on its App Store. This is when the company tried a direct payment method to cut the middle man out of the equation, which resulted in Apple (as well as Google from its Play Store) removing the game from its app store.

Epic says that Apple created a tech monopoly, but here’s what Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers of the District Court for the Northern District of California had to say: „Indeed, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all operate similar walled gardens or closed platform models as Apple, whereby the hardware, operating system, digital marketplace, and IAPs [in-app purchases] are all exclusive to the platform owner.

Epic Games’ avers that the iOS platform is unique from other gaming devices. Specifically, Epic Games argues that gaming consoles and computers require electrical outlets and separate screens and thus lack the capacity for mobile play, which demands portable, battery-operated, and cellularly connected devices with built-in screens. Yet, Epic Games repeatedly ignored discussion of gaming laptops, tablets, and the Nintendo Switch, all of which can be played in a mobile fashion. These devices could have significant overlap with the iOS platform in terms of the ultimate consumer,” Rogers said.

And she has a point: the iOS is not the only portable solution to gaming. However, we have yet to wait several months until a ruling is made. Still, Rogers’ comment is to the point: Epic has indeed not thought this comment through whatsoever… and Fortnite won’t be on Apple devices until the Summer of 2021…

Source: PSL

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