Epic Games: Fortnite Returning to iOS in Europe After Legal Battle

Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, is set to bring the game back to iOS in Europe in 2024. This comes after Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store in 2020 due to a dispute with Epic Games over the use of a third-party payment system.

The removal of Fortnite from the App Store sparked a series of legal battles between Epic Games and Apple. While the outcomes of these legal battles have been mixed, a new Digital Markets Act recently passed in the European Union is now forcing Apple to make some changes. According to the act, Apple must allow third-party interoperability and enable business users to promote their offerings and conclude contracts outside of Apple’s platform.

With the support of the Digital Markets Act, Epic Games plans to release a version of its Epic Games Store for iOS in European Union countries. Fortnite will be the flagship app for the store. However, Epic Games has not yet announced a specific release date for the iOS versions of the Epic Games Store and Fortnite.

In response to the changing regulations and pressure from developers, Apple has recently made some changes to its App Store Review Guidelines. However, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney remains critical of Apple’s revised rules.

Epic Games’ ultimate goal in this battle with Apple is to establish the Epic Games Store as a major competitor to the App Store. Sweeney envisions the Epic Games Store launching on both iOS and Android and becoming the number one multi-platform software store. Sweeney believes that payment competition, lower fees (ranging from 0% to 12%), and exclusive games like Fortnite will be key to achieving this goal.

It is worth noting that in 2023, Epic Games laid off 16% of its workforce due to financial difficulties. Sweeney acknowledged that the company was spending more money than it was earning at the time.

Editors’ Recommendations:

FAQ:

1. What caused the removal of Fortnite from the App Store?
Fortnite was removed from the App Store in 2020 due to a dispute between Epic Games and Apple over the use of a third-party payment system.

2. What legal battles have resulted from the removal of Fortnite?
The removal of Fortnite from the App Store sparked legal battles between Epic Games and Apple. The outcomes of these legal battles have been mixed.

3. What is the Digital Markets Act?
The Digital Markets Act is a recent legislation passed in the European Union. It forces Apple to allow third-party interoperability and enable business users to promote their offerings and conclude contracts outside of Apple’s platform.

4. What are Epic Games’ plans in response to the Digital Markets Act?
With the support of the Digital Markets Act, Epic Games plans to release a version of its Epic Games Store for iOS in European Union countries. Fortnite will be the flagship app for the store.

5. What changes has Apple made to its App Store Review Guidelines?
In response to changing regulations and pressure from developers, Apple has made some changes to its App Store Review Guidelines.

6. What is Epic Games’ ultimate goal in the battle with Apple?
Epic Games’ ultimate goal is to establish the Epic Games Store as a major competitor to the App Store. They envision launching the Epic Games Store on both iOS and Android and becoming the number one multi-platform software store.

7. What is the key to achieving Epic Games’ goal?
Epic Games believes that payment competition, lower fees (ranging from 0% to 12%), and exclusive games like Fortnite will be key to achieving their goal.

8. What financial difficulties did Epic Games face in 2023?
In 2023, Epic Games laid off 16% of its workforce due to financial difficulties. The CEO, Tim Sweeney, acknowledged that the company was spending more money than it was earning at the time.

Definitions:

– App Store: A digital distribution platform for mobile applications on iOS devices.
– Digital Markets Act: Legislation in the European Union that enforces certain regulations and changes for tech companies like Apple.
– Epic Games Store: A digital distribution platform for video games developed and operated by Epic Games.
– Fortnite: A popular online multiplayer video game developed by Epic Games.
– Third-party interoperability: The ability for software or platforms to work together and exchange information with third-party services or systems.

Editors’ Recommendations:
– Epic Games Store
– Apple App Store
– Digital Markets Act – European Commission

The source of the article is from the blog shakirabrasil.info