Arthur Herring
Fortnite fans living in the EU may soon have reason to rejoice as Epic Games has submitted a build of the game to Apple for approval on its EU App Store. This comes after a long-standing dispute between Apple and Epic regarding platform fees in 2020, which resulted in a massive lawsuit. The post from Epic Games Newsroom X confirms that the company is targeting a release in the next few months specifically for iPhones.
While the announcement only mentions iPhone availability, there is no confirmation regarding an iPad launch at this time. However, Epic Games has expressed interest in bringing their games to “other mobile app stores” and is open to discussions with any store that offers favorable terms to developers.
In addition to the submission of Fortnite for approval, Epic Games has also submitted its Epic Games Store for use on iOS. If approved, this would allow Epic Games to sell their games directly to Apple users, bypassing the need to go through Apple’s ecosystem. This move could potentially give Epic Games more control over their game sales and income, a prospect that Apple has been resistant to in the past.
While the introduction of additional game stores can benefit both developers and consumers, it may not be enough to convince everyone to download the Epic Games Store. Some users have expressed concerns about the store’s inconsistency and navigational difficulties on PC. However, if Fortnite can still be played via a native app downloaded from the web, it remains to be seen how many users will opt for the Epic Games Store.
Looking ahead, it would be exciting to see support for other game stores on Apple devices, such as Steam support for iPad. Given the powerful capabilities of the latest iPads, allowing them to run top-quality Mac games would be a remarkable development. Regardless of the outcome, the submission of Fortnite to the EU App Store and the potential approval of the Epic Games Store mark significant steps in expanding gaming options for iOS users.
Additional Facts:
– The long-standing dispute between Apple and Epic regarding platform fees in 2020 resulted in Apple removing Fortnite from its App Store, leading to the lawsuit.
– Fortnite is a popular multiplayer game developed by Epic Games, known for its battle royale mode where players fight to be the last one standing.
– Epic Games Store is a digital distribution platform for video games developed by Epic Games, offering a selection of games from various developers.
Important Questions and Answers:
1. What was the dispute between Apple and Epic Games about?
– The dispute centered around Apple’s platform fees, which Epic Games viewed as excessive. Epic Games introduced a direct payment system within Fortnite, bypassing Apple’s payment system, resulting in Fortnite’s removal from the App Store.
2. When is the release of Fortnite on the EU App Store expected?
– The announcement mentions a release in the next few months, but no specific date is provided.
3. Will Fortnite be available on iPad?
– The announcement does not confirm an iPad launch at this time.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
1. Platform fees and revenue share: The ongoing debate between app developers and platforms like Apple revolves around the percentage of revenue that platforms take from app sales, subscriptions, and in-app purchases.
Advantages:
1. More control for developers: If approved, Epic Games Store on iOS would allow developers to sell their games directly to Apple users, potentially giving them more control over their game sales and income.
2. Expanding gaming options: The submission of Fortnite to the EU App Store and the potential approval of the Epic Games Store would provide iOS users with more gaming options and potentially offer more competition in the market.
Disadvantages:
1. Inconsistency and navigational difficulties: Some users have expressed concerns about the Epic Games Store’s inconsistency and difficulties in navigation, particularly on PC. This could make users hesitant to download and use the store on iOS devices.
2. Fragmentation of game libraries: The availability of multiple game stores on iOS could result in fragmentation, making it more challenging for users to find and access their desired games.
Suggested Related Links:
– Epic Games Store
– Apple App Store (EU)
– Fortnite Official Website
