Apple customers locked out of new Fortnite functions

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Fortnite on an iPhone: Can still be played, but the August 27 update is not available on iOS and macOS

Fortnite fans have been able to install the game's update, which is several gigabytes, since the morning of August 27, 2020. However, this only applies to those who play the world's most popular video game on Playstation, XBox One, Windows PC or an Android smartphone. The update is not available to users of iPhones, iPads and Mac computers.

The developer company Epic Games confirmed this on its website. "Apple blocks Fortnite updates and new installations in the App Store," write the developers. The background to this is a dispute over the 30 percent levy Apple levies on purchases for all applications in the App Store.

The Fortnite developers added the option to their game about two weeks ago to process payments directly with Epic Games. The official route via the App Store was circumvented, which is against Apple's rules. Fortnite then flew from the App Store.

Latest update brings Marvel characters

As a game, Fortnite lives from the fact that Epic Games regularly publishes new so-called seasons with expansions in the game landscape, new characters and functions. Because while the game itself is free, you have to buy new characters in the app, for example. In the current update to "Chapter 2: Season 4" Epic brings numerous characters from the superhero world of Marvel in Fortnite, for which some players had been waiting for a long time.

The new update also means that Apple users can only play among themselves, reports the technology magazine "The Verge". Games with gamers who use one of the other platforms are therefore no longer possible.

Android users cannot download the latest update from the official Google Play Store either. However, in contrast to Apple, Google allows updates to be downloaded from other sources

What seems like a defeat for Epic Games is also the next step in a well orchestrated campaign. Shortly after being kicked out of the App Store, Epic Games had a lawsuit against Apple ready and tried to get its players to protest on social media against Apple's actions with posts under the hashtag #FreeFortnite. A short time later, Facebook also joined Epic Games.

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