Epic Games’ popular multiplayer shooter game Fortnite is back on Apple’s App Store in the U.S. starting Tuesday, marking the end of a nearly five-year ban. This momentous development comes after a prolonged legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, which began in 2020 when Epic accused Apple of violating U.S. antitrust rules by imposing a 30% commission on in-app payments. The ban followed after Epic updated Fortnite to bypass Apple’s payment system, sparking a legal dispute over Apple’s App Store policies.
Epic Games, a U.S.-based studio backed by China’s Tencent, had claimed that Apple’s practice of charging developers excessive fees violated fair competition standards. The court’s ruling earlier this year, which stated that Apple violated a U.S. court order by limiting competition in its App Store, set the stage for Fortnite’s return. Apple had failed to comply with a prior court injunction, leading to the referral of the matter to federal prosecutors for a possible criminal contempt investigation.
Fortnite’s return to iOS is part of the broader shift in Apple’s App Store policies, which were altered following the court’s ruling. The change not only impacts Epic Games but could have wider ramifications for the way other apps approach payments on iOS. Notably, apps such as Spotify and Netflix, which had previously been locked out of alternative payment methods, could now have more flexibility in how they handle in-app payments.
According to Reuters, the ruling and subsequent changes reflect a broader trend in the ongoing conflict between tech giants, with Epic Games emerging victorious after years of legal challenges. The ruling not only allows Fortnite back on iOS but could also pave the way for a major shift in how developers handle payments on Apple’s platform. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, while celebrating the win, posted on social media, “We back fam,” expressing his excitement for Fortnite’s return.
Launched in 2017, Fortnite was an instant success, attracting millions of players worldwide due to its innovative “battle royale” gameplay. However, by the time of its removal in 2020, Fortnite had already amassed over 116 million users on the Apple platform alone. Industry analysts, however, have noted that Fortnite might struggle to regain its former popularity, as the game is now past its peak.
What’s your opinion on Fortnite’s return to the App Store after such a long time? Do you think this will bring back its glory, or is it too late for a comeback? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below — we’d love to hear your take on this exciting development!
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The return of Fortnite also signals potential shifts in the broader app economy. “For Epic Games, this is a hard-fought victory, but one that may not be enough to revive Fortnite’s dominance in the gaming world,” said Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson. For Apple, this victory represents another chink in the armor of its services business, which heavily relies on charging fees for every transaction made through the App Store.
Moreover, this decision could have significant implications for independent studios and subscription services that could now bypass Apple’s payment system, reshaping the economics of the iOS ecosystem in the coming months. Michael Ashley Schulman, Chief Investment Officer at Running Point Capital Advisors, commented that this move could open the door for services like Spotify and Netflix to recapture margins previously lost to Apple’s commission system.
According to CNBC, Apple had approved Fortnite for re-entry after Epic Games filed a legal challenge following Apple’s delay in approving the app for the U.S. market. The approval came after a court ruling mandated Apple to allow apps to link out for external payments, which directly influenced the approval of Fortnite.
However, despite the win, Apple is continuing to appeal the ruling, seeking to roll back the changes to its App Store policies.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on current reports and is provided for informational purposes only. Views expressed do not constitute professional advice, and readers should perform their own research before making decisions.
