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So, Epic Games is suing *checks list* two of the largest companies on the planet. Apple and Google have both removed Fortnite from their respective app stores. This comes after an indirect dare of sorts from Epic. They changed the way mobile purchasing works through the Fortnite app, circumventing the usual 30% revenue cut that the store platforms get from the purchase. Apple and Google don’t like it when you try to steal their money, so the app was taken off both stores. Epic’s lawsuits (of which the Apple one can be found in full here ) alleges that Apple (and Google) have monopolized the market for the distribution of apps.
Along with the lawsuits, Epic Games has launched a full on marketing offensive against the companies as well. The #FreeFortnite web page explains what their plans are, and answers some big questions like “can I still play Fortnite on my iPhone?” Note, this page does not seem to be updated to include the Google suit as of this writing. Epic has also taken to parodying the famous “1984” Apple Super Bowl ad from within Fortnite. That video is being played on loop on pretty much all Fortnite channels. For full coverage of both the suits against Apple and Google you can check out Russell Brandom and Nick Statt from The Verge.
BLAST has ended its partnership with NEOM. The tournament organizer bowed to pressure from the community at large and from partner teams that reportedly met with them to voice their displeasure at the deal. BLAST had remained notoriously silent on the matter for more than two weeks since the announcement of the partnership. Popular figures from the community, and casters were calling on them to end the sponsorship before they would be willing to work with the TO. HLTV has the full story.