After a four-year ban due to business term violations, Apple has agreed to reinstate Fortnite on iPhones, but only in the EU. While this resolution marks a significant shift in the long-standing dispute between Apple and Epic Games, players in other regions will still face delays. It appears Apple remains committed to maintaining regional exclusivity.
Months after the initial announcement, Epic Games has confirmed that the Epic Games Store (EGS) is now accessible on iOS and Android devices. According to the press release, the Epic Games Store can be downloaded on Android devices globally, but only iPhone users within the EU can access it. Epic Games has detailed the download process for both iOS and Android, highlighting that it is intentionally complicated by Apple and Google with “poor-quality install experiences.” These include complex settings, lengthy steps, and “scare screens.”
In August 2020, Apple and Google removed the free-to-play Fortnite app from the App Store and Play Store, respectively. Today marks the first time Fortnite has returned to mobile devices. Since its removal, users had only two cloud gaming options for accessing Fortnite: Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Interestingly, the Epic Games Store aims to be the “first-ever game-focused, multi-platform store,” expanding across both Android and iOS platforms while also providing dedicated apps for macOS and PC.
Alongside the launch of the mobile version of the Epic Games Store, Epic has announced that Fortnite is now officially returning to mobile devices through this digital marketplace. This means that Android and iOS users in the EU can download Fortnite through the AltStore, a third-party marketplace that emerged as a result of the DMA.
“Now, European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games, as they’ve always been able to do on open platforms like PC and Mac. The fight is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can begin to benefit from competition and choice.”– Epic Games Founder and CEO Tim Sweeney
In the press release, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressed gratitude to the European Commission for enabling the launch of the Epic Games Store, allowing them to offer their games to iOS users in the European Union. Sweeney also emphasized that their battle with the industry giants is far from over.
That’s not all—Epic also announced that Fall Guys is making its mobile debut, and Rocket League Sideswipe is now available for download on EU iPhones and Android devices worldwide through the EU’s AltStore and the EGS mobile version.
Are you excited that the Epic Games Store and Fortnite are finally returning to iPhones? Do you think it’s time for Apple to consider its users worldwide? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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