Fortnite Makes Highly Anticipated Return to US Apple App Store
After a nearly five-year absence, the immensely popular video game Fortnite is once again available for download on Apple’s App Store in the United States. The return marks a significant moment following a prolonged and high-profile legal dispute between Fortnite developer Epic Games and the tech giant, Apple.
Fortnite was originally removed from the App Store in August 2020. The catalyst for the ban was Epic Games’ decision to implement its own in-app payment system within Fortnite. This move was a direct challenge to Apple’s established policies, which require apps to use Apple’s payment processing and pay a 30% commission on all in-app purchases made through the platform. Epic Games sought to bypass this fee, leading to the swift removal of the game.
The Legal Battle: Epic vs. Apple
Epic Games didn’t accept the ban quietly. The company promptly launched a legal battle against Apple, accusing the iPhone maker of operating the App Store as an illegal monopoly and alleging that its commission fees were unfair and anti-competitive. This case became a major focal point in the broader debate surrounding the power and control wielded by digital platform operators.
How Fortnite Announced Its Return
Fortnite confirmed its re-availability in the US via a post on X (formerly Twitter). The company also noted that the game is accessible through the Epic Games Store and the AltStore in the European Union, highlighting expanded distribution channels. The post added that the game would soon be discoverable via search within the App Store itself.
Apple has not yet issued an immediate comment regarding Fortnite’s return. Historically, the company has defended its App Store rules and commission structure, citing them as essential for maintaining user security and a secure platform.
A “Clear Win” for Epic Games
The development is widely perceived as a major victory for Epic Games in its ongoing contest with Apple. Joost van Dreunen, a games business professor at NYU Stern, characterized the outcome as a “clear win for Epic Games.”
According to van Dreunen, Epic has “effectively forced open a door that Apple and others worked very hard to keep shut.” He further suggested that this moment could signify a shift in the power dynamics within the industry, potentially giving creators and publishers more leverage to challenge established distribution models controlled by platforms like Apple.
Broader Context: EU and Google
Fortnite’s return to the US follows its availability on the EU App Store since last January, ending a four-year hiatus there. That return was notably spurred by new European legislation specifically designed to increase competition in digital markets.
Similarly, Google, which had also removed Fortnite from its Play Store in 2020 for violating its payment rules, lifted its ban on downloads last year.
Despite this resolution in the US, the situation hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing recently. Fortnite reportedly became temporarily unavailable on app stores globally last week after an update was apparently blocked by Apple, suggesting that complexities in their relationship may still surface.
About Fortnite
Fortnite remains one of the world’s most popular video games, boasting approximately 400 million registered players globally. While the game features multiple modes centered around shooting and building mechanics, its online battle royale mode is by far its most iconic and popular feature, pitting up to 100 players against each other until only one remains.
Its availability once again on the US Apple App Store means millions of players can now easily access the game on their iPhones and iPads directly through the platform.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0711mrl470o
- https://ca.news.yahoo.com/fortnite-back-us-apple-app-020415358.html
- https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/01/19/tiktok-service-restored-in-the-us-after-promises-that-ban-wont-be-enforced
