Epic Games' Fortnite returns to Google Play after court order

Fortnite has returned to the US Google Play Store following a court order, while Epic Games and Google are still seeking court approval for their settlement over in-app purchase fees.

Epic Games, a US-based game developer, filed lawsuits against both Google and Apple in 2020 after its popular title was removed from their app stores for bypassing standard payment systems.

A US District Court ruled that Google had engaged in anticompetitive behavior; details of new developer payment options and fee limits are subject to a pending settlement.

Meanwhile, an appeals court partially reversed some terms of a related ruling against Apple, allowing Apple to restrict how developers display third-party payment links, and to charge a fee on purchases made outside its App Store.

Fortnite remains unavailable on the iOS App Store in the US while legal proceedings continue.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Google-Epic fee caps and Apple external purchase rules

Google and Epic seek fee caps of 9% or 20% by transaction type, with side-by-side alternative payments and lower prices, if a court signs off 1. Caps would run through 2032, which gives teams steady fees for planning 1.
An appeals court let Apple take a cut on purchases made outside the App Store 2. Apple can also require that outside payment buttons match the size and prominence of its in-app option 2.
In the EU, Apple’s external payment setup can reach 20% from a 2% acquisition fee and a 13% store services fee 3. It also includes a 5% Core Technology Commission (an Apple platform fee under its EU rules) 3. Payment processor fees of 2% to 3% add more cost (charges from companies that process card payments), while fraud prevention can add 3% to 5% 3.

Payment Software Development Kit (SDK) vendors can package compliant external purchase flows

Android apps can add alternative payments next to Google Play Billing if the settlement wins approval, with caps through 2032 that support planning 1. RevenueCat (a subscription monetization platform) launched a Web Paywall Button to help teams wire up web payments after the Apple ruling 4.
Payment infrastructure providers (companies that build and operate payment and checkout systems) can win deals by handling compliance work 3. Developers must report transactions via Apple’s External Purchase Server API (an interface Apple uses for reporting external purchases) 3. They also need to follow timing rules for acquisition fees and Core Technology Commissions 3. Approval would let teams A/B test payment flows within the rules 4.
Large mobile apps with loyal users gain most from external payments, with savings near 10% to 20% versus standard store cuts, which makes them prime buyers of alternative payment tools 3.