Epic Games has officially announced that Fortnite will make a return to iPhones, which is excellent news for gamers all over Europe. This ends a long-standing dispute between Epic Games and Apple, which resulted in Fortnite's removal from the Apple App Store in 2020 (via News18).
The eagerly awaited announcement was made via an official post on X, causing excitement in the gaming community.
Apple Versus Epic Games
This gaming drama began with a payment disagreement, which resulted in Epic Games' ban from Apple's ecosystem. The breach in relations sparked a legal battle, and Fortnite fans were unable to access the game on iOS.
However, the tide has turned, and Fortnite will soon return to iPhones, thanks to Apple's compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations. The DMA, which is often unfamiliar to those outside the EU, is a legislative force aimed at limiting the dominance of tech giants in their respective markets.
This act specifically targets Apple and other major players such as Microsoft, TikTok owner ByteDance, and Google's parent company, Alphabet. The DMA aims to limit the influence of "gatekeepers" by introducing guidelines restricting their control over core platform services like app stores.
One of the most significant changes implemented by the DMA is the requirement for Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores on their devices.
This provision is at the heart of Fortnite's return to iPhones, breaking the App Store's long-standing exclusivity on app downloads. iPhone users in EU countries can look forward to a refreshing change in March of this year with iOS 17.4, allowing them to explore alternative app stores.
Fortnite Returns to iPhones Thanks to New Rules
Epic Games celebrated its success with a bold social media statement: "Remember Fortnite on iOS? "How about we bring that back?" The post thanked the DMA, emphasizing its role in enabling Fortnite's return, and included a direct call-out to Apple with the message, "@Apple, the world is watching."
Fortnite will return to iOS in Europe in 2024, distributed by the upcoming @EpicGames Store for iOS. Stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We'll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law. https://t.co/MHh6EGVinC
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) January 25, 2024
While this represents a significant victory for Epic Games, the legal battles are far from over. The company intends to pursue its claims in both courts and regulatory forums, claiming that Apple violates the law.
Interestingly, Epic Games had a mixed track record in legal battles, having defeated Google in a lawsuit that exposed the company's monopoly on its app store. However, Epic Games lost a similar case against Apple despite extensive online campaigns, including the memorable 'Free Fortnite' initiative.
Beyond the Fortnite saga, the DMA has broader implications. It paves the way for other services, such as cloud streaming platforms like Xbox Game Pass, to launch standalone apps on iOS. This is a welcome change for users, as they can now access these services more easily on their Apple devices.
In related news, Spotify has announced plans to spare European Union (EU) users from Apple's 30% in-app purchase fee. This move also comes as a response to the upcoming Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law that will disrupt Apple's dominance in the app market.
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