Fortnite has almost 200 million monthly users. For children, this is the perfect game. Even though its creators were recently the subject of a lawsuit by Google, the game ultimately prevailed.
In a case involving antitrust allegations against Google, a jury found in favor of Epic Games on December 11. For three years, the two businesses had been at odds with one another. In 2020, Epic took legal action by suing the tech company, claiming that it had broken antitrust rules in both California and the federal government.
Epic filed a lawsuit accusing Google and Apple of breaking antitrust rules because they insisted that app users pay via their systems instead of the game’s system. The developer of the game claimed that, as a result, they were unable to get their entire share of in-app sales. Additionally, the fees that Google imposes on Android app developers were contested in the complaint. Their income could take a hit of up to 30% due to the costs. App developers are also compelled to utilize the company’s billing service in addition to the Play Store.
According to BBC, Epic brought up the fact that the Play Store distributes more than 95% of Android apps and that Android powers about 70% of smartphones globally in the complaint. That means the tech behemoth can get its hands on billions of mobile devices. Google “suppresses innovation and choice” through a “web of secretive, anti-competitive agreements,” according to the video game maker.
Also, Epic, which operates on PC, accused Google of stifling alternative app shops. This is allegedly accomplished by Google through its practice of “paying developers to abandon their own store efforts and direct distribution plants”—that is, by incentivizing device manufacturers to block access to third-party app shops. That paves the way for Google to establish a monopoly and enjoy the resulting financial boon.
The decision on X, formerly Twitter, was applauded by Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. Achieving victory over Google! said the executive. A jury in California found “against the Google Play monopoly on all counts” following weeks of testimony.
Victory over Google! After 4 weeks of detailed court testimony, the California jury found against the Google Play monopoly on all counts. The Court’s work on remedies will start in January. Thanks for everyone’s support and faith! Free Fortnite! https://t.co/ITm4YBHCus
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 12, 2023
Google intends to file an appeal of the decision.
