Fortnite pulled from App Store: Epic Games files lawsuit, parodies 1984 Apple ad

The developer of Fortnite is suing Apple, and using one of the tech giant’s most iconic moments to talk about it.

The game developers behind the Fortnite phenomenon have parodied one of Apple’s most iconic commercials as a lawsuit against its App Store conduct is filed.

During Superbowl XVIII, Apple aired the award-winning “1984” commercial directed by Ridley Scott.

While the commercial did air in 1984, it gets its name from the themes of the George Orwell book (Orwell’s estate actually sent a cease and desist to Apple about it).

Rather than explain it, here it is on YouTube because you’re better off just watching it.

RELATED: Skating game is a glitchy mess

The advertisement was meant to represent Apple as the choice of the free thinker and a dissenter against consolidation in computing that would allow massive companies to abuse their size and power.

But it’s now been parodied by Epic Games who ironically enough have just sued Apple, accusing them of abusing its size and power.

Its commercial, titled “Nineteen-Eighty Fortnite”, ends with the call to action to “Free Fortnite”.

“Epic Games has defied the App Store monopoly,” a message reads.

“In retaliation, Apple is blocking Fortnite from a billion devices. Join the fight to stop 2020 from becoming ‘1984’.”

In this instance Big Brother is an apple with a worm in it, do you get it?

RELATED: Groom spends $11k wedding money on gaming PC

The maker of video game sensation “Fortnite” on Thursday sued Apple for the way it rules over the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of acting like a monopoly.

Epic Games called on a federal judge to order Apple to stop its “anti-competitive conduct” and invalidate the tech giant’s rules requiring app developers to pay 30 per cent of transactions as the price of doing business in the App Store.

The suit was filed the same day Apple booted Fortnite from the online marketplace, after Epic added a payment system that let player transactions bypass the App Store system, saving money in the process.

“Apple has become what it once railed against: the behemoth seeking to control markets, block competition, and stifle innovation,” the lawsuit argued.

“Apple is bigger, more powerful, more entrenched, and more pernicious than the monopolists of yesteryear.”

A hurled unicorn axe smashes the Big Brother telescreen.

RELATED: Amazon’s embarrassing game fail

Apple has in recent months come under fire for the tight grip it has on the App Store, which is the sole source of applications for its popular mobile devices.

The Silicon Valley colossus has defended its position as needed to keep applications, and by extension users, safe from hackers and scammers, claiming that the 30 per cent fee on transactions is a legitimate for minding the shop.

Apple removed Epic Games’ battle royale game Fortnite from the App Store. Picture: Supplied

Epic’s suit, however, accuses Apple of unreasonably restraining trade. Epic said it is not seeking money or favourable treatment, but instead asking the court order the Apple store rule to be changed for all developers.

Fortnite has been played some 350 million people around the world since its release in 2017 — a game where players in a virtual world must survive by searching for weapons and resources while eliminating competitors.

It is also a popular e-sports title in which spectators watch experts players and personalities compete, in some cases for cash prizes.

“Apple imposes unreasonable and unlawful restraints to completely monopolise both markets and prevent software developers from reaching the over one billion users of its mobile devices unless they go through a single store controlled by Apple,” the suited contended.

“Where Apple exacts an oppressive 30 per cent tax on the sale of every app.”

— with AFP