Fortnite Makes a Comeback on iOS in Europe as Apple and Epic Games Continue Their Legal Battle
Fortnite, the popular game developed by Epic Games, is set to return to iOS devices in the European Union in 2024, marking the end of a legal dispute with Apple. In a recent announcement, Apple revealed that it will be implementing changes to the iOS system for EU members, complying with the EU Digital Markets Directive. These changes will allow users to download apps from sources outside of the App Store and utilize external app stores.
This decision comes as a relief for many iOS app developers, including Epic Games, who have been engaged in legal battles with Apple for years. The official Epic Games Twitter account, now known as X, confirmed that Fortnite will be available on iOS devices again through the new Epic Games store on Apple’s mobile system. This will be the first time since its removal from the App Store in 2020 that the game will be accessible on iOS.
While the announcement lacks specific details about these plans, Epic Games expressed the need for a “regulatory deadline” to be established. They stated, “We will continue to argue before the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law.”
This likely refers to Epic’s intention to file a new lawsuit against Apple following the tech giant’s announcement. Apple unveiled that it will allow for linking to external payment systems within apps, but developers will still be required to share 27% of their revenues with Apple from these external stores. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized this policy as it “destroys price competition.” Speaking about Sweeney…
Sweeney publicly shared his own response regarding Apple’s new plans for iOS in Europe on X, asserting that these new rules are a “sneaky form of compliance.” He added, “They force developers to choose between App Store exclusivity and store terms, which would violate the EU Digital Markets Directive, or accept a new, also illegal, anti-competitive scheme full of new fees for downloads and new Apple taxes for payments they don’t process.”
The changes to iOS in Europe may also push Microsoft to launch its promised game store for Apple devices. As of now, Microsoft has not commented on Apple’s iOS app changes.
FAQ – Introducing Changes to the iOS System for EU Members by Apple
The source of the article is from the blog crasel.tk