US video game developer Epic Games has just asked Apple to
bring
its flagship game “
Fortnite
” back to the South Korean App Store, but Apple has rejected the request, saying Epic will have to follow its rules to be reinstated.
"
Epic intends to re-release Fortnite on iOS in Korea by offering both Epic payment and Apple payment side by side, in accordance with the new Korean law
," the developer said on the official Fortnite game Twitter account. .
Last month, South Korea was the first country to pass a law banning Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use their payment systems, declaring their lucrative App Store and Play Store monopolies illegal. .
Apple and Google are under fire for taking up to 30% commissions on app sales and requiring the use of their own payment systems, collecting a share of transactions.
Avoid Apple and Google Fees
The law is expected to come into force in the coming days and will make it mandatory to use an alternative payment method, allowing users to bypass fees set by streaming platforms.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney enthusiastically welcomed the passage of the law, calling it "a
major milestone in the 45-year history of personal computing
" on his Twitter account.
“
I am a Korean,
” he added.
Read alsoTim Sweeney, the coder behind
Fortnite
Apple responded by saying that Epic Games could not return to the App Store until they agree to "
play by the same rules as everyone else
." “
Epic has admitted to breaking the contract and as of now there is no legitimate basis to reestablish their developer account
,” the company added. Apple and Epic are at the forefront of a global conflict between broadcast platforms and content creators over how revenue should be distributed, with billions of dollars at stake.
Apple last year removed Fortnite from its App Store after Epic introduced direct payment in the app, bypassing Apple's system. Epic has sued Apple over the takedown and the case is currently before the courts in the United States.