Epic is offering new direct payment in Fortnite on iOS and Android to get app store fees

Today Epic announced the Fortnite “Mega drop”, a permanent discount on V-dollars and other in-game purchases of up to 20 percent. The developer is quick to point out that it’s not a sale: these are new prices for the in-app currency in both the PC and console versions of the game. On mobile, however, things are a bit more complicated.

On both iOS and Android, Epic has introduced a new direct payment option. If you buy V-tubes or anything else in the game through the App Store or Google Play Store, it will cost the same as always. But the new direct option comes with the discount; when you select it, the game sends you to a payment screen where you can choose a credit card like PayPal. “Currently, there are no savings if players use Apple and Google payment options, with Apple and Google collecting an unreliable 30 percent fee for all payments,” says Epic. “If Apple and Google reimburse their fees for payments, Epic will pass on the savings to players.” (You can view a list of supported countries here.)

It’s not exactly clear how Epic will be able to get these fees, but here’s some more detail from the company’s FAQ:

Why Epic has decided to implement its payment system for purchases within Fortnite on iOS and Android?

By offering an alternative payment system, we not only offer players more choice, but we can pass on the savings to players.

Does a new mobile payment method mean that purchases there are less secure?

Now. Thousands of apps in the App Store approved by Apple accept direct payments, including commonly used apps like Amazon, Grubhub, Nike SNKRS, Best Buy, DoorDash, Fandango, McDonalds, Uber, Lyft and StubHub. We think all developers should be free to support direct payments all apps. While operating Fortnite on open platforms and serving the Epic Games Store, Epic has processed more than $ 1,600,000,000 direct payments, and uses trusted industry in coding and security to protect customer transactions.

Apple and Google clearly recognize that third-party payment services are safe and acceptable for goods and services. Epic Direct Payment offers players just the same types of payment options as these other apps.

Of course, the battle between Epic and mobile app stores is not new. In 2018, the developer completely ignored Google Play at launch Fortnite on Android, before finally submitting this year.

“After 18 months of surgery Fortnite on Android outside the Google Play Store, we’ve come to a realization, “Epic said in a statement back in April.” Google sets software that can be downloaded outside of Google Play, through technical and business measures, such as scary, recurring security pop-ups for downloading and updating software, restrictive agreements between manufacturers and carriers and affiliates, Google public relations characterizing third-party source software, and new efforts such as Google Play Protect for software directly outside of Google Play store to block. ”

The company has been equally critical of Apple’s retail costs, contributing to the likes of Spotify and Match Group, with CEO Tim Sweeney talking about it frequently.

What Fortnite players, the new discount prices are in effect today, and Epic says it will offer bonus V-tubes to those who have made purchases after July 14th. The developer is also giving away a new in-game item – the Shooting Starstaff Pickaxe – to all active players for free.