Famous Game “Fortnite” Faces Setback in Return to iOS Platform
The well-known game “Fortnite” was originally set to return to the iOS platform but has encountered another setback. Epic Games recently submitted a request to Apple for re-listing, which was rejected, preventing “Fortnite” from being listed on the US App Store and from being made available for download through Epic’s own store in Europe. This incident adds fuel to the long-standing dispute between the two companies, impacting global iOS players who will likely be unable to play “Fortnite” for the foreseeable future.
Epic Games: Apple Blocks Us, Global iOS Fortnite Players Suffer
On Friday, Epic Games issued a statement on the social platform X, indicating that Apple has blocked their request for “Fortnite” to be listed, preventing them from releasing the game on the US App Store or the Epic Games Store in the EU. The statement read: “Unfortunately, ‘Fortnite’ will not be available on the iOS platform until Apple lifts the ban.” This means that regardless of whether players are in the US or Europe, those using iPhone or iPad devices are currently unable to download or update “Fortnite” through legal means, causing significant disruption to the gaming community.
Apple Responds: We Didn’t Remove Fortnite, Just Requested Changes
In response to Epic’s accusations, Apple released a statement later the same day, clarifying that they did not actively remove “Fortnite” but rather requested that Epic Sweden (Epic’s division in Sweden) resubmit the game version without the content intended for the US App Store. Apple pointed out: “We only asked Epic to remove the version for the US region to avoid affecting the release status of ‘Fortnite’ in other regions.”
After Court Ruling, Epic Attempts to Return to the App Store
The background to Epic’s request for re-listing stems from a favorable court ruling for them. About a month ago, a judge in the US ruled that Apple could not charge a commission on transactions using payment methods outside the app. This ruling prompted Epic to attempt to take advantage of the situation to return to the App Store, but they were still blocked by Apple.
“Fortnite” was originally removed by Apple in 2020 after Epic added external payment links to the game, attempting to bypass Apple’s commission mechanism of up to 30%, leading to ongoing legal battles between the two parties.
EU Players Could Play, But Now Blocked Too?
Although “Fortnite” has been available for download in Europe through Epic’s iOS digital store since 2023, due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) allowing third-party app stores to operate legally, Epic has stated that even their own platform in the EU can no longer release “Fortnite.” This has raised questions about whether Apple is indirectly blocking Epic’s game distribution through technical or regulatory means.
Developers’ Voices: Apple’s Control is Unfair to Gaming Companies
Gabriel Le Roux, CEO of payment infrastructure startup Primer, told CNBC that Apple’s control over the App Store is overly strict, making it difficult for developers to freely monetize and expand their markets. “For gaming companies, the economic pressure is particularly immense. They often operate on thin margins, face high customer acquisition costs, and must continuously attract users back, only to be charged a commission of 15 to 30% on every transaction, which can directly destroy their profit models,” Le Roux stated.
The Battle Continues: Epic and Apple’s Tug-of-War Persists
From the removal incident in 2020 to the latest app submission being blocked, the battle between “Fortnite,” Epic Games, and Apple has persisted for nearly five years. With changes in regulations and market conditions, this clash between tech giants clearly shows no signs of abating. For global “Fortnite” fans, it seems they may have to temporarily step back from the battlefield and await the next round of confrontation between the two parties.
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