Epic Games: Use Our Payment System Instead of Apple’s, Earn Big Rewards

If you’re a fan of free-to-play games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, you can now get rewards of up to 20% on your in-game purchases.

But to claim the rewards, you’ll need to use developer Epic Games’ own payment system on PC, iOS, Android, or via its web app, rather than going through platforms like Apple’s App Store or Google Play. You’ll then receive 20% back in Epic Rewards which you can then spend in the Epic Store (though only if you use Epic’s payment system.)

The Epic Store hosts all of the developer’s titles but also has a catalog of hundreds of third-party games, ranging from AAA games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 to a huge selection of indie games. Epic denied that the new deal is a flash-in-the-pan promotional offer, saying the scheme “is here to stay.” It’s also available to gamers all over the world, not just in select markets. 

The attempt to incentivize gamers to adopt its payment system comes after Epic recently scored a huge win in its years-long legal battle with Apple, opening up the door to these kinds of incentives from the developer.

Epic also submitted an official application for Fortnite to return to the App Store in the US earlier this week, after it was banned from the platform in 2020 for linking to its website to avoid Apple’s commission fee on purchases. Apple still has the right to deny the application.

Following the ruling earlier this week, Apple is no longer able to stop developers from recommending alternative purchase methods in apps hosted on its platform. Apple is also no longer allowed to claim commission from those purchases, having previously charged gamers a 27% commission for the privilege of paying via the App Store. 

Though we don’t have confirmation of when Fortnite will return to the App Store, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said earlier this week: “We’re working as hard as possible and aren’t certain what day it will be ready.”

The ever-popular shooter is already available for App Store users based in Europe and returned to the Google Play Store in August 2024.

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About Will McCurdy

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I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.

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