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Fortnite also removed from the Google Play Store

By Tom Caswell August 13, 2020

Following an adjustment by Epic Games of the mobile version of its hit game Fortnite to circumvent in-app purchases on both the App Store and Google Play Store, and Apple’s removal of the game from its marketplace, Fortnite has now also been removed from Google’s platform.

That doesn’t mean the game is entirely unavailable on Android devices, however. Unlike iPhones, there are multiple storefronts for apps on Google’s devices. Epic has its own marketplace on the platform, as does Samsung on its line of Android phones and tablets. Fortnite is still available through those outlets.

“The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play,” Google told The Verge.

Both Apple and Google take a 30% revenue cut on all purchases made through their platforms, including anything that’s bought within an app. Developer Epic Games tried to go around that costly revenue split by allowing players to purchase its in-game currency V-Bucks directly from Epic, incentivizing such behavior with a 20% discount. This would have meant that Epic would get a 10% increase in revenue compared to the previous arrangement.

It seems Epic was prepared for its game to be taken down on the storefronts. Moments after reports broke that Fortnite was no longer on the App Store, Epic filed an injunction against the company regarding what it considers to be anticompetative policies. It also aired a short animated spoof of Apple’s famous “1984” ad, claiming that the company has become the very thing it railed against nearly 40 years ago.

It’s hard to imagine that Fortnite’s lack of existence on either marketplace will be permanent, but it will be interesting to see whether Epic’s play will make either Apple or Google reconsider their policies. As of now, both companies are in firm defense of their practices and procedures.

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How to survive storm phases carrying an Epic weapon in Fortnite

Character jumping while holding Epic weapon in Fortnite.

A new Fortnite challenge for surviving storm phases while carrying an Epic weapon has caused some confusion, as the quest's wording isn't exactly clear. Thankfully, the challenge is much easier than it seems, and once you know what to do, you can get through it relatively quickly. Here's how to survive storm phases while carrying an Epic weapon in Fortnite.
What is an Epic weapon?
Fortnite uses a rarity system with its weapons, which are denoted by colors. Purple weapons are Epic, but keep in mind you can utilize any weapon of higher rarity to complete this quest. As long as the weapon is at least Epic, you'll earn credit for surviving storm phases.
How to get an Epic weapon

There are several ways to get Epic weapons. One way is to simply find one from chests or as floor loot, but this isn't as reliable. You can also purchase Epic weapons from NPCs around the map. Nearly all main hubs have an NPC who sells weapons, so be sure to talk with them if you have the funds. Using an Upgrade Station is another solid option for collecting an Epic weapon, though it's expensive. Another option is to defeat the Highcard Boss found at Brutal Bastion, Shattered Slabs, and Mega City. Upon defeat, the Highcard Boss drops a Mythic Havoc Suppressed Rifle.
How to survive storm phases while carrying an Epic weapon

Gaming

How to give specialist a command in Fortnite

Character interacting with NPC in Fortnite.

As part of Fortnite's Spring Breakout Daily Quests, players are tasked with giving a hired specialist character a command. Of course, the game doesn't specify how to do this exactly, leading to some confusion amongst the community. Thankfully, we've got everything you need to know about completing this new quest with ease in Fortnite.
How to hire a specialist

Specialist Characters are specific NPCs all around the map. If you pull up the quest itself, you'll actually see a map of all the Specialist Characters. Keep in mind that not all NPCs fall into this category, so be sure to look at the map. We like the one to the very north of Breakwater Bay as it's usually out of the way. Once you find them, you'll need to pay 200 Gold Bars to hire them. If you don't have the funds, be sure to play more and complete bounties as needed.
How to give a character a command
After you've hired the Specialist Character, they'll be on your side for the duration of the match. If you look at the top left side of the screen, you'll see an icon that represents the Follower Communications wheel. Press and hold left on the D-pad on console or the middle mouse button on PC to get this menu to appear. Once it does, you can pick from a list of commands such as wait or follow. To complete the quest, you simply need to issue one command and after the NPC does what you ask, you'll earn credit for completing it.

Gaming

A list of all the Fortnite augments, and how to use them

Fortnite

Every new chapter of Fortnite is a massive event. While seasonal changes bring plenty of minor tweaks and additions, it's almost always when a new chapter rolls around that major overhauls or new mechanics are introduced. Fortnite Chapter 4 was no exception, and aside from the extreme changes the island underwent, it brought one very important change to gameplay that wmakes a huge difference when going for that illusive victory royal (it isn't easy to win Fortnite, after all).

Augments, well, augment the game. There are a few challenges that somewhat introduce what these are, but they leave out almost all the important details for you to find out on your own. Augments need to be considered, and deeply understood, not only for when you get them yourself but to know what new tricks your opponents could have up their sleeves. Before you get taken by surprise, here's a complete breakdown of how to unlock augments and how they work in Fortnite.
What are augments in Fortnite?
Augments, or Reality Augments, are essentially a new perk system introduced into Fortnite. There are currently 22 augments in the game, but with more to come in future updates. You can get access to multiple augments during a single match, but augments do not carry over after a match is finished, whether you win or lose. These perks can range from modifying certain weapon types to granting buffs for performing actions, and much more. There are no bad augments, so you will want to get as many as possible. Augments also have their own tab in your menu where you can see which ones you've had so far to track your progress using them all.
How use Fortnite augments