Epic Games, the company that created Fortnite, has taken another step in its ongoing dispute with Apple.
On Friday, Epic Games again addressed its request for a court order that would force Apple to restore its beloved video game to the App Store. In a filing in court , the gaming company disputed some of Apple's claims that suggest player interest in Fortnite was fleeting.
Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store in August after the gaming company violated Apple's rules by introducing an in- game without Apple's approval. This payment system would have competed with Apple's in-app purchase system, which the iPhone requires all apps to use.
Typically, when players make in-app purchases on iOS, Apple takes 30% of those sales. The instant payments feature for Fortnite undermined that arrangement.
In a court filing on September 4, Epic Games argued that it is “likely to suffer irreparable harm” if the app is not returned to the App Store, while also calling Apple a “monopoly.”.
Apple recently responded with a court document, claiming that “Epic games started a fire, and poured gasoline on it, and now it’s asking the court for help in putting it out.” Apple also cited Google Trends data, saying searches for Fortnite are down nearly 70% compared to last year.
Apple has blamed Epic Games for the App Store impasse, saying the gaming company is "holding its customers hostage to gain an advantage in a business dispute.".
Epic Games referred to Apple's report on Friday, accusing it of selectively collecting data to mislead the courts.
“Apple’s data contains a series of half-truths and lies designed to paint Epic as the perpetrator,” the video game. Epic Games claims that Apple chose to include “misleading” Google research data when the number of daily Fortnite players actually increased by 39%.
A full hearing on the matter is scheduled for September 28. Epic Games wants Fornite back on the App Store before that date.
"Epic seeks only one thing: to offer its consumers an alternative payment processing service, while this process continues without retaliation," the gaming company said.
