Following the European Union’s classification of Apple’s iPadOS as a “gatekeeper” under its Digital Markets Act (DMA), Epic Games announced its plans to launch its hit battle royale game, Fortnite, on iPad later this year.
This move is part of a broader strategy by Epic Games to reintroduce Fortnite to Apple devices in the EU, leveraging the new DMA regulation that mandates Apple to allow competition from alternative app stores, such as Epic’s Game Store.
Epic Games expressed enthusiasm about the EU’s decision, detailing their strategy to reintroduce Fortnite to the European market via the Epic Games Store “soon” and to iPads later in the year. This development was shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, highlighting the company’s proactive efforts following the regulatory changes.
The tension between Epic Games and Apple has been ongoing, stemming from a lawsuit initiated by Epic against Apple. The dispute focused on what Epic perceived as anti-competitive practices related to Apple’s App Store and its commission structure.
While Apple was not found to be a monopoly in the lawsuit, the court did rule that Apple must permit developers to direct their users to alternative payment methods within their apps, marking a significant win for Epic and impacting the broader app developer community.
The conflict escalated when Apple announced how it intended to comply with the EU’s DMA. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Apple’s approach as “malicious compliance,” laden with “junk fees,” and vowed to continue the battle. In retaliation, Apple terminated Epic Games’ developer account, labeling the company a “threat” to the iOS ecosystem. This action prompted an EU investigation into Apple’s decision, leading to the reinstatement of Epic’s developer account.
The full implementation of Fortnite on Apple’s iPhone and iPad platforms in the EU remains uncertain due to Apple’s ongoing reactions. Nevertheless, Epic Games’ announcement signals a clear intention to challenge Apple directly by offering its games through its own store on Apple’s leading platforms.
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Featured Image courtesy of Fortnite