Fortnite Returns to the App Store Following Court Ruling

Background on Epic Games and Apple Dispute

Nearly five years ago, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games integrated its own in-app payment solution, which was deemed a violation of Apple’s guidelines. This removal initiated a high-profile legal battle between the two companies, culminating in the significant court case known as Epic Games v. Apple. Recently, new developments in this ongoing saga have led to Fortnite’s re-entry into the iOS ecosystem in the United States.

Implications of the Court Ruling

Following a decisive ruling in the Epic Games v. Apple case, a judge mandated that Apple could not impose fees on transactions occurring outside of its applications. In light of this decision, Epic Games expressed its intention to reintegrate Fortnite into the App Store for iOS users in the U.S. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, even proposed a "peace proposal," suggesting that if Apple extended the court’s non-restrictive framework globally, Fortnite would be returned to the App Store worldwide, along with the cessation of any ongoing litigation.

Recent Developments and App Availability

Despite the optimism surrounding the ruling, Epic Games recently reported that Apple had obstructed Fortnite’s return to the App Store. The game also became unavailable on alternative app stores within the European Union. However, Apple clarified its position, stating that it had requested Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update without the U.S. storefront to prevent complications in other regions. Apple emphasized that it had not removed the current version of Fortnite from other distribution platforms.

In a bid to further resolve the situation, Epic Games sought judicial intervention to compel Apple to review its Fortnite application submission. In response, the judge indicated in a recent filing that Apple could address the issue independently without additional hearings or briefs. If an agreement could not be reached, the Apple executive responsible for compliance might have to attend a court session scheduled for the following Tuesday. However, with Fortnite now back in the App Store, this hearing may no longer be necessary.

New Features and Promotions

Alongside the relaunch of Fortnite on iOS, Epic Games has introduced a new initiative to promote its payment option. Players who choose Epic’s payment system for transactions in Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys across PC, iOS, Android, and the web will receive 20% back in Epic Rewards. These rewards are applicable to future purchases within these titles or on the Epic Games Store.

The newly launched iOS version of Fortnite also showcases this 20% incentive during the payment process for purchasing in-game currency, known as V-Bucks. Users downloading the app from the App Store will initially receive a small file, followed by an additional download upon opening the app. For some users, this subsequent download requires approximately 12.95GB of storage.

In summary, Fortnite’s re-emergence on the App Store marks a significant turn in the ongoing Apple-Epic dispute and the evolution of in-app payment systems. With new features designed to attract players and encourage the use of Epic’s payment platform, the gaming landscape on iOS is set to evolve further.