If you’ve been avoiding tech news for the past couple of days then here’s a refresher – you can no longer play Fortnite on your iOS or Android device. Why? Well, Fortnite, the popular battle royale title, has been delisted from Google Play Store and Apple App Store following a violation of the in-app payment policies of both the app stores. You can read more about it here.
However, because of the ban on Fortnite, iPhones with the game pre-installed are selling for a ridiculous amount online. See, if you don't have the game installed on your device, you can't download it. But if it is installed, you can still play it on your smartphone. Because of this iPhone with Fortnite pre-installed have been making the rounds on eBay for exorbitant amounts.
The bid for an iPhone 11 with Fortnite pre-installed started at $950 (Rs 71,000 approx. directly converted) and is selling for about $3000 (Rs 2,25,000 approx. directly converted). Devices as old as an iPhone 7 with the game pre-installed are selling for about $1000 (Approx Rs 80,000 directly converted).
https://twitter.com/originalesushi/status/1295673834864074755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
We have also seen a listing for an iPhone XR (64GB) with Fortnite pre-installed selling for $7000 (Rs 5,24,000 approx directly converted). A 256GB iPhone XR is selling for a whopping $10,000 which is about 7,50,000 approx directly converted).
Even though Fortnite is playable on home consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One along with the PC, it is the fact that it is no longer available that is probably making it such an enticing offer for people. We wonder what will happen to these listings once the ban is lifted?
This isn’t the first time we have seen popular electronic devices sell for a premium price because of some change in policy or removal of an app or game. When the demo of P.T. was removed from the PlayStation store, we saw PS4 consoles with the game pre-installed sells for a premium on eBay. When gaming consoles like the PS3 and PS4 launched and were in short supply, they sold for a premium on eBay.
What is interesting is to see how many of these iPhones will sell at the premium they are asking for simply to run a game you can easily play on other platforms.