Fortnite Unavailable on Apple App Stores Worldwide
The popular game “Fortnite” has become the latest point of contention between Epic Games and Apple, with the game being removed from Apple’s app stores globally on Friday.
Though many iPhone users in the US were already unable to access Fortnite, this block has impacted players worldwide.
Epic Games shared on X that “Apple blocked Fortnite submissions… Sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline all over the world until Apple unblocks it.” Apple has not responded to requests for comment.
For years, Epic has pushed back against major tech companies regarding the fees charged for apps downloaded from official platforms like Apple iOS and Google Android. These app stores are typically the only means by which most users can install software on their devices.
While Epic has found some success in US courts and European regulations, the company recently accused Apple of manipulating the app review process to restrict availability for users.
Last week, Epic claimed it submitted “Fortnite” for review in the US App Store. However, not only was it blocked in the US, but the game was also unavailable in the European Union.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect last year, allowing users to download games directly from various sources instead of solely from official app stores.
Epic did not clarify why “Fortnite” was also inaccessible in Europe.
Concerns Over Fees
As a leading title in the gaming industry, Epic stated that “Fortnite” has approximately 500 million users in 2023. Yet, the company has faced challenges as it lodged legal cases against both Apple and Google concerning excessive fees.
Apple’s purchase fees in the App Store can reach up to 30%, which some argue harms both consumers and developers.
Since 2021, Epic has been at odds with Apple after “Fortnite” was banned from the App Store due to allegations that the game was trying to bypass Apple’s payment system. A judge ruled that the App Store practices were anti-competitive as they prevented developers from offering alternative payment options.
Still, the conflict has extended beyond initial court rulings and EU mandates requiring Apple and Google to permit third-party app stores on their platforms.
A federal judge indicated earlier this month that Apple had not complied with orders stemming from the Epic case, leading Epic to consider re-submitting “Fortnite” to the App Store.
Tim Sweeney, Epic’s CEO, mentioned that there is currently no update on Fortnite’s resubmission, as Apple has yet to accept or reject it.
Apple’s Service Revenue Strategy
Apple has been focusing on building its service segment, aiming to lessen its reliance on iPhone sales for revenue. This segment, which includes income from streaming services and iCloud, now makes up over a quarter of the company’s total revenue.
Recent reports indicated that Apple sought to delay some court orders relating to transactions occurring outside the App Store.
Changes to the App Store policies may allow developers to use alternative payment systems without incurring extra fees, a move that Epic has heavily pushed for, as it could open up opportunities for other software developers to evade Apple’s charges.
Spotify, the Swedish music streaming platform, was among the first to leverage this shift by offering a link in its iOS app to subscribe outside the App Store.
