The Return of Fortnite on iOS: A New Chapter for Epic Games and Apple

Epic Games has recently announced the highly anticipated return of Fortnite to iOS devices. The game’s comeback on iPhones and iPads will be made possible by a new EU law set to be implemented in March of this year.

In a statement released on the official Epic Games Newsroom Twitter account, the publisher revealed that the game “will be back on iOS in Europe in 2024, distributed through the upcoming Epic Games Store for iOS.” It is still unclear whether these changes will extend to the United Kingdom, as the law specifically pertains to the European Union and the UK has already left it. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether Epic Games plans to adhere to the new fee introduced by Apple for alternative app stores.

These changes stem from the introduction of a new EU law called the Digital Markets Act, which will go into effect in March. This law imposes an obligation on Apple to enable developers to create and distribute new applications (including new stores) without having to rely on the App Store. However, Apple has implemented additional requirements regarding fees for applications obtained from sources outside the App Store.

Under the new terms, applications downloaded more than one million times annually will be required to pay Apple €0.50 for each download beyond the first million. This means that developers will have to pay Apple €500,000/$542,000 for every million applications downloaded after the initial one million downloads. Apple also states that it will allow developers to direct users to external websites for payment, but will charge a 27% commission based on the earnings generated through these payment links.

Consequently, it appears that even if Epic Games releases Fortnite on iOS devices through its own Epic Games Store, due to the game’s popularity, the company will still need to pay millions of dollars to Apple based on the conditions established by the tech giant.

Epic Games is just one of many developers critical of Apple for introducing new fees and restrictions. Tim Sweeney, CEO and co-founder of Epic Games, referred to Apple’s actions as “a cunning example of poor compliance,” asserting that they violate the new laws regulating digital markets in the EU. Other organizations, like the Coalition for App Fairness, also criticize Apple, deeming the implemented changes unfair and in violation of competition principles.

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The source of the article is from the blog foodnext.nl