All the way back in 2020, Apple removed Fortnite from its iOS App Store in response to efforts by Epic to circumvent the company’s store fees. 3 and a half years later, it seems the two companies have found common ground, with Apple finally unbanning Epic’s developer account.
Apple recently updated many of its terms and services, allowing for game streaming services to come to the iOS platform, alongside a whole host of other EU-mandated changes. This will allow Epic Games to bring Fortnite back to the platform and then some.
Following immediate confirmation that Fortnite will return to iPhones later this year, Epic Games have now announced the next big step towards its return, with the Fortnite creator taking to Twitter to say:
“We are bringing more opportunities to developers across all platforms and we’re so excited about what’s to come.… including bringing the Epic Games Store to iOS in Europe. Dev account secured, let’s go!”
Adding his own personal thoughts on this recent change, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney replied, saying “I'll be the first to acknowledge a good faith move by Apple amidst our cataclysmic antitrust battle, in granting Epic Games Sweden AB a developer account for operating Epic Games Store and Fortnite in Europe under the Digital Markets Act.”
While it seems as though for now the return of Epic Games to iOS will be limited to Europe, after almost 4 years this marks a major step in bringing one of the most popular games currently back to Apple users. Hopefully the iPhone maker chooses to expand its latest terms and services globally.
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KitGuru says: Is this a big deal? Who will benefit more from this? Would Apple have ever done this had it not been for the EU? Let us know your thoughts down below.