In line with new European Union regulations, Epic has announced that it plans to bring its own store, the Epic Games Store, to iOS later this year and will also bring Fortnite back to iPhones.
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About three years ago, in August 2020, Epic attempted to add new ways to purchase items within Fortnite on mobile versions of the game. These new ways would be cheaper for users and bypass the cut that Google and Apple typically take from all in-app purchases on their devices. Within hours, both Google and Apple had removed Fortnite from their digital stores, and therefore from all portable devices, and Epic began a legal battle with both companies that is only now coming to an end. (Short summary: Epic didn’t win much against Apple, but it did win better against Google .) Now, thanks to the EU’s new Digital Rights Management Act (DMA) , Epic will finally bring the popular game Fortnite back to iPhones in the EU .
On January 25, Apple was forced to implement changes that would allow—for the first time ever—third-party app stores on iOS devices. Apple will also have to allow sideloading, the ability for users to install their own apps directly on their devices. These are both features of Android phones, but not of the more closed iOS ecosystem. But thanks to the DMA, that’s changing in the EU, and Epic quickly sued Apple and announced the return of Fortnite through its own app store, the Epic Games Store.
See also: Apple will charge developers if they offer Sideloaded Apps
“Remember Fortnite on iOS? How are we going to bring it back,” Epic tweeted earlier today. The tweet was accompanied by a direct challenge to Apple and a gif showing Fortnite’s famous character, Peely, looking angry. Presumably, at Apple.”
Later this year, Fortnite will return to Europe on iOS devices (i.e. iPhone, iPad, etc.) via the Epic Games Store. (Cheers to the DMA – a major new law in the EU that makes this possible.) “@Apple, the world is watching,” Epic tweeted.
See also: Fortnite: Refund Deadline Extended to February 29th
Epic CEO not happy with Apple's new regulations
Of course, Apple allowing sideloading and third-party apps isn't as simple as it seems. The tech giant has imposed a lot of rules and various restrictions that can be costly for independent developers and limit how useful third-party app stores can be. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney isn't happy with the iPhone maker's restrictions and new policies, calling them "useless."
“Apple suggests it can choose which stores are allowed to compete with their App Store,” Sweeney wrote in a lengthy tweet on January 25. “They could block Epic from launching the Epic Games Store and distributing Fortnite through it, for example, or block Microsoft , Valve , Good Old Games , or new entrants .”
"There's a lot of useless information in Apple's announcement. It will take more time to analyze both the written and unwritten parts of this new horror theater, so stay tuned," Sweeney added.
For now, it seems the plan is—despite the horrible rules, according to Epic's CEO—that the company will bring Fortnite and its store to iPhones in the EU, unless Apple tries to intervene.
Source: kotaku
