Fortnite, a popular online game that has reached over 100 million players, is a free-to-play game that offers plenty of fun and excitement. The game is free to download and enjoy on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Mac. However, you may find a few things you need to know when it comes to downloading and installing the game on a mobile device.
Epic Games
Epic Games recently petitioned Apple to reinstate its developer account and allow it to sell Fortnite on the App Store. The suit, expected to take five years to conclude, is not about helping local developers. Instead, it attempts to change the App Store’s business model.
A key reason for the lawsuit is Apple’s 30% commission for in-app purchases. This amount is set at 30% for the first year a developer’s app is available and then a 12% fee for each subsequent year.
But the lawsuit doesn’t end there. It’s also a legal battle over the rules and guidelines for the App Store. Earlier this year, the South Korean government urged Apple and Google to offer alternative payment mechanisms. While the two companies agreed to make changes, Epic has still not been able to re-launch Fortnite on iOS.
During the trial, Epic Gaming argued that Apple’s decision to remove “Fortnite” from its App Store was a bungled move. In other words, Apple’s ad campaign for the new game wasn’t up to snuff.
Apple
Epic Games has had a run-in with Apple over Fortnite. Apple allegedly slapped the popular battle royale game with a 30-percent cut of its digital sales and blocked players from updating it through the App Store. Nevertheless, it’s still available on Xbox, PlayStation, Windows, and Android phones.
While there are alternatives for those who want to play Fortnite on the go, the game’s absence from the App Store is a significant blow. The game has earned over $1 billion in App Store spending and accounts for one of the top-grossing apps in the store. Still, fans expect the game to return to the iOS app store.
However, Apple and Epic are amid a legal battle that may not be resolved anytime soon. The long-anticipated return of the game will likely remain a pipe dream.
For now, Apple says it will only reinstate Fortnite’s developer account after the court rulings are settled and the case is closed. This could be a five-year process.
GeForce Now
GeForce Now is a cloud-based game streaming service that brings the PC experience to mobile devices. Currently, it streams to Android phones and tablets, Windows PCs, and Mac OS X. Some popular titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 are available, and more games will be added later.
NVIDIA’s GeForce Now service is currently in closed beta. You can join for free or pay for a membership. Members receive a higher level of performance and access to premium servers. There are three membership levels: Free, Founders, and Priority.
Depending on your membership, you can play on a mobile-optimized version of Fortnite. It features touch controls. If you’re a paid member, you’ll also have access to higher resolutions and longer gameplay sessions.
You’ll need a Safari web browser on your iOS device to use the GeForce Now service. The service’s website also requires a login. When you first launch the app, it will load in a new Safari tab. Tap the login options, and your account will be set up.
Third-party app stores
One of the most controversial technology stories of the past few years has been Apple vs. Epic. Epic Games, a developer of mobile games, took Apple to court over App Store fees.
Epic claimed that Apple violated its exclusive rights by controlling the market for in-app purchases. The company offered an alternative payment system in the App Store. However, it was blocked and removed from the App Store.
After the lawsuit was filed, Epic and Apple met with the U.S. Court of Appeals to see if they could overturn the original ruling. The judge ruled against Apple’s motion for a stay. Unfortunately, this meant the battle was renewed.
Apple argued that the rules were anti-competitive and would block new competitors. However, the judge ruled that Apple did not engage in anti-competitive behavior. It also ruled that Epic had to pay Apple a percentage of its revenues from Fortnite.
Apple has been the subject of criticism for its app store monopoly. It has also been criticized for charging high fees and limiting third-party control.