Back in August, Epic Games declared war with Apple (and Google), when the tech giants removed Fortnite from their stores for violating the terms of service. In case you forgot, Epic introduced a more direct way to pay in its battle royale game - essentially bypassing the payment system on these digital stores.
Epic followed this up by launching a Nineteen Eighty-Four style #FreeFortnite campaign, to help spread the word about what had happened (it was also a parody of an old Apple Mac commercial). If this already seemed a bit over the top, the Epic Games team is now sending out "Free Fortnite" packages to industry people. Kinda Funny's Greg Miller shared some images:
The attached message explains how it's all to celebrate Fortnite being awarded Samsung's GOTY for 2020 and calls on everyone to help "spread" the social media hashtag, #FreeFortnite.
Hi there, Fortnite was named the Samsung Galaxy Store Game Of The Year for 2020. In celebration, we've teamed up with Samsung to send you a special box of #FreeFortnite gear.
While Fortnite may not currently be available on the App Store or Google Play, you can still get the latest Fortnite updates directly from the Epic Games App on the Galaxy Store. Spread the word, #FreeFortnite.
Have you joined Epic's fight to help "free" Fortnite? Seriously though, what are your thoughts about all of this? Comment below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 103
Yeah sorry no
This is childish. Just like the game.
Epic Games isnt much better than Apple, so I'm just gonna grab popcorn and play neutral.
No one cares, Sweeny.
The concept they're fighting for makes sense from a business stand point. Their argument for how in-game currency is handled has merit and all. But it really feels like they're treating this legal dispute like one of their big timed seasonal events.
They changed the way their currency works, and then sat back and waited to get banned from the app store, which unlocked a little cutscene movie about it.
And now there's official merchandise commemorating the squabble they started.
Is that still going on?
Epic...people stopped caring long ago
No, no i don't think i will.
This only makes Epic come across as a petulant child rather than a corporation fighting against injustice.
I lowkey forgot about this entire lawsuit. And don't free fortnite, FREE MELEE
Rich people fighting rich people over who gets more millions. With all that's going on in the world right now, I would need to ingest a significant amount of laxatives in order to give a ____ about this.
You can still get Fortnite on android, just not on Google play.
They’re still going on about this? No, I will not be Freeing Fortnite.
Free Fortnite? I have been Fortnite-free all my life, thanks.
Free epic game store ... unleash it on the iPhone! Apple is so afraid to compete that it blocks game companies out. Apple’s Mac App Store is decimated because users can download apps from the browser, so they are probably afraid that the same will happen with the iPhone. However, the EU’s digital markets act (enacted because of Apple’s arrogance) could even affect even the switch. Good thing the switch can still be profitable even when the Digital Markets Act passes because Nintendo has 1. Lots of first party games to buy 2. A subscription service and 3. Does not sell the switch below cost.
No.
I'm no expert on these matters but I assume that uber and deliveroo do not have the same problem as fortnite because while all are free apps offering monetized services outside of Google play, fortnites services are digital content that cost nothing to re-produce beyond distribution and marketing. If epic think the rates for Google's distribution are unreasonable (which is reasonable to think) they are free to use other distribution methods, after all, the game still runs on android, it isn't locked out of Android. Apple on the other hand, they have always been anti-consumer.
To clarify;
Epic Games asks Apple to bypass the IAP method with their own, thus avoiding the 30% cut Apple would take from every IAP.
Apple refuses, Epic Games does it anyways and well... Fortnite gets axed from the App Store.
Epic Games acts like they are trying to stick it to the man with this #FreeFortnite, and 198Fortnite nonsense and attempted to sue Apple to no avail, only to then get the game removed from the Google Play Store.
Apple announces a program where it cuts the 30% IAP fees to 15% on apps from companies and developers that make less than $1M on a fiscal year, Epic Games (and Spotify) were critical with that decision in spite of making well more than that.
Say what you want about Apple being anti-consumer, and that last thing was obvious Damage-Control: Epic Games is really the entitled bad guy here.
I'm going to sit back and injoy the show Epic vs Apple? Hell yes, Hey @GilbertXI Need some more butter to go with that popcorn?
No, I do not want a free fork and knife, good day to you, sir.
Fortnite is still fun. Expecially with friends. Dont see why people hate on the game so much. There is nothing better out there in the battle royal type games. Cod warfare was lame. Spellbreak is boring. Fortnite is still the king.
A better campaign would be #deletefortnite
@Yanina ya screw childish baby games, we don't do that here. Now if you'll excuse me I gotta water my plants and design clothing in Animal Crossing.
Glad to not join the "Civil Rights March of our generation" as you call it, Tim Sweeney!
Why would I help scum like Epic Games? Not only are they an anti-consumer brand, they have the audacity to act like they are "pro-consumer."
Besides, I'm been free of Fortnite all my life so my part is done.
No. That’s dumb.
@ADV good point. Very good point.
Truly this is the 2020 issue that demands our attention.
Fortnite is already free, how much more free do they want?
That jacket looks kinda nice
You break the terms of service and then want help? Nope.
Just make it on exclusive on consoles. Serious gamers don't play these kind of games on mobile on the long term.
Free Fortnite, more like FREE MELEE
Um...no. I'm going with @Snatcher and just eat some popcorn.
even if you dont care about fortnite this will be better for us as consumers as competition is always a good thing
How much do Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft as platform holders take from publishers? It‘s there key business model, and nobody is complaining, because all know about the convenience behind having these platforms (as well as for Epic Games Store). Apple AppStore is a platform like Nintendo eShop, no major difference. And when a publisher changes its payment from an one-time to a recurring one, why giving a discount?
I freed Fortnite by installing it.
Hey is anyone out there in touch with "the kids" and can say whether this whole FreeFortnite thing is actually catching on?
It's pretty clear that anyone old enough to comment on websites like this, understands that it's complete garbage. Purposefully getting kicked off the store (rolling out a payment system which gives the platform holder no revenue at all) and then acting like they're a victim of discrimination is utterly un-classy. Surely this astroturfing campaign is getting them no sympathy from anyone...
But you know who else is utterly un-classy? Who are more than happy to follow a trend without critically thinking for a second? Kids. The very demographic which plays all the fortnite of course. So it's quite possible that Epic's cynical hashtag movement is actually catching on...
@Max_the_German exactly, 30% is industry standard for digital and physical shops alike
What epic actually tried to do is to get the court to force Apple to allow Epic to put their own version of AppStore on the IPhone platform and get those royalties
It was well planned move that they initiate at the right time (when everyone attacked Apple), but when you go to hit the biggest kid on the block, you better get ready for him to attack back and crash you
#freeoffortnite #whocaresaboutepic
Edit: Yeah, I know hashtags doesn‘t make sense here. Nevertheless, because of their behavior I dislike Epic even more. It‘s funny they collaborate with Samsung for this, a company which is more important than politics in South Korea...
Just grow up epic, damn
@Moistnado And yet, they sell some of the most popular consumer products in the world. Go figure.
Im not interested.
rather than support either side of this greed based idiocy, it's best to just sit back and watch the sparks fly.
Totally not an ad campaing.
Apple:we wants the monies! Epic:we wants ALL THE MONIES!
#FreeFortnite #FreeMelee #SaveSmash #SaveSplatoon.
Different hashtag, same garbage.
If this was an attempt to free people from Fortnite, I could get behind that. Sort of like the #deleteFacebook trend, but this is a scummy corporation upset at another mega-corporation.
If they really wanted just the fees to be dropped, they would have been happy with the changes Apple made. Instead they have shown that what they really care about is they want to be the entity making the % on all the sales. It always has been about money: the money that Epic could make on IAP vs. the money that Apple takes in on IAP.
Imagine letting your opinion on Fortnite get in the way of the actual issue
Can't stand all these 50+ gamers that are like "KiDs GaMe BaD", like honestly grow up lmao
Look at the issue instead of being a snarky little kid and thinking "lol no popular thing bad REEEEEEE"
@Yanina and this comment
@SalvorHardin So you agree with Apple's business practise of taking way money than they need to from companies? You think that if a company publishes a free game on the App Store, Apple should take all that money?
Damn, that's just low
@NGNYS Why do you want Fortnite to be a dead game?
@Northwind
I've given Spellbreak a whirl, but it hasn't clicked for me yet. It's stuck to the same pre-"reboot truck" early phase that made Fortnite a nightmare to play in team matches (which the 2020 Midas' Revenge event was a grim reminder of). Add to that the fact that once your spirit orb is grabbed by an opponent you're pretty much dead meat, and you get Fortnite 2.0 - and not in a good way.
Let's just say that if restarting a match was short and sweet, Fortnite wouldn't even get half the hate it gets today.
I don't feel sorry for them, especially not when they use cheap charity-like publicity stunts like these when they literally weigh millions of dollars..
Let me get this straight. So Epic knowingly broke terms of service on both platforms and now they’re trying to weaponise their customers, because of THEIR business decisions? This literally translates to “Dear customer. Thanks to you, we’ve made A LOT of money on the mobile platforms of your choosing. Now we want to make even more money and in the process, we will hold you hostage. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Oh, big Companies fighting about Money and trying to use Customers as their Weapons.
@scottishwildcat anti-consumer and popular. These things are not mutually exclusive. Go figure.
Neither Apple, Google nor Epic come away looking good in this whole situation, but it legitimately makes me angry every time Epic tries to come across as the downtrodden underdog. Sony paid $250 million for a 1.4% stake in your company, you f**king mooks.
@ADV next thing you know, fortnite is gonna be #1. Discriminating the game won’t make it better, idiot.
Another childish move by Epic, a company that loves PC exclusives but acts like that when their game isn't available everywhere.
Disgusting.
@Falien Same and proud
Dont hold your breath, I wont be joining your stupid campaign
I'm neutral but if Nintendo comes into this it is interesting
I'll take the tab S7. You can keep the jacket.
Epic doesn't have a leg to stand on here. They agreed to Apple's terms of service and then violated that agreement by trying to make an end run around Apple. I don't know why this case hasn't been laughed out of court yet.
Hmmm, help a greedy non consumer oriented corporation to beat back another greedy corporation over money that should be given to help people worldwide who are out of work and need assistance for food, housing and basic needs.? I don't think so. Perhaps they should grow a conscience and help others instead of only helping themselves.
@krzysztof81 This is exactly my opinion. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Fortnite and don’t think it deserves all the hate it’s getting, but all that time, Epic had been satisfied with getting the 70% from consumers and now they’re starting a babyish marketing campaign to try to get more money under the pretense of doing something good. Smh
Fortnite is already free xD
Ask most smaller devs and they will tell you they are happy with Apple's 30% cut because the App Store takes care of hosting, bug finding the devs may have missed, payment processing, security and in a lot of cases marketing as well. All this may end up costing more than the 30% in the long run and likely require more work or a wider variety of companies.
Epics arguement is like them suing Walmart for taking a cut of a boxed game in return for nationwide distribution, advertising, payment processing etc and deciding to sell it on a street corner instead.
Rich people and their "wars". Give peace a chance Epic, and Apple.
Nothing screams 'rampant capitalism' quite like a mega-corporation rallying kids against another mega-corporation.
Really random but this has made me think of that episode of South park with the 'chinpokomon' 😂
i dont like this at all either, its cringe af, but this is exactly how you freemelee idiots sound, acting like its a lifechanging movement smh
This is embarrassing, and if anyone falls for it then they're idiots, end of story.
@Retro_Player_77 still overpriced
LMAO.....what? I can think of another 4 letter F word that better suits their situation.
@LilMuku you didn't understand a single thing going on here, so let me explain:
1) Fortnite was published on the App Store, which means Epic had to sign a contract with all the terms specified there, cause Apple is providing a service and Epic is agreeing to pay for that;
2) Epic knew they had to pay 30% of their IAP revenue to Apple as per contract, but still decided to "act smart" by trying to bypass the App Store and get all the revenue themselves. Do I have to explain why that is bad and an utter breach of contract or do you at least get that?
3) now they have the gall to act like Apple is the big greedy b*stard, which is beyond hypocritical and infuriating; judging by your comment, though, it seems that unfortunately they're managing to convince people that they are right.
Apple's store, Apple's rules.
@LilMuku
Maybe Epic should try to be pro-consumer themselves on the Epic Game Store before trying to rally others against an "anti-consumer" cause?
@Toy_Link I think having a free game where every purchase is purely cosmetic is pretty consumer friendly
In a free game where you can't buy an advantage you can't rly call that anti-consumer
Anticonsumer corporation "battles" anticonsumer corporation over money.
Worst timeline.
Instead of #Free Fortnite how about supporting #Free Hong Kong. Oh wait, Communist China has you in your pocket how predictable.
@Gxlcylol what are you even trying to say? Also keep the childish insults to yourself.
@LilMuku
I'm not talking about Fortnite, Epic isn't just the Fortnite company after all.
TL;DR Epic's game store is not known for being pro-consumer. Thanks to paying for third party exclusives, always online DRM, and possibly even spyware injected in the program etc.
@ADV I’m saying discriminating the game won’t make it better or worse so just keep your thoughts to yourself.
@Gxlcylol how did I discriminate?
@ADV saying fortnite is a baby game? Looks like your short term memory is wack
It was clearly sarcasm. The guy who called it a children's game got that. I was just making fun by pointing out how childish Nintendo games are.
@hakjie11 Google and iOS sales would disagree with you there.
Epic games and fortnite are a cancer to the video game industry.
Dont epic earn enough money with these kids stealing cards from there mums purse to buy a stupid dance emote.
I will say
No #freefortnite, no #freemelee
but
Really
#FreeSanity
Please
It is like watching two politicians have a knife fight. I want them both to die.
"free" is an interesting choice of word. Their game is already free isn't it?
Epic "you want it all but you can't have it"
@Spjelite82 Please include EA games into it too
Why so much hate for Epic? I m downloading a free game every day on Epic store during this Christmas season. I got Metro Exodus and Aliens Isolation just these 2 days. Consumer wins!
This is just pathetic.
Something tells me that #FreeFortnite was just for publicity and profits, as opposed to actually presenting some change to the industry.
@Yorumi I am just a simple gamer, I see free games I download and I play... anybody feeling better to save a gaming market by paying for these somewhere else when it could be free, they are free to do so too. But now I am enjoying Alien Isolation. Such a good game.
Fortnite has had real bad reaction from kids you know it has with there fear of missing out concept.
@GrandScribe so kids have never spend 100 or thousands of pound on fortinte using there parents card because i have read about 8 article of them doing so im sure there is alot more the game makes kids go crazy trying to get them away from the game they lose there *****.
I mean Epic is like the guy from bicycle meme, they knew very well Apple won't allow different purchase protocols and they still went with it then cry all over the place for a game that huge percent of people don't care about...
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...