Fortnite is finally back on iOS devices in the US and Europe, after a five-year legal battle between Epic and Apple.
Despite a “peace proposal” being offered by Epic at the start of the month, Apple later blocked the return of Fortnite in the US. When Epic returned to the judge of the legal case to review its Fortnite submission, the judge responded Apple is “fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing” and warned the official who is “personally responsible for ensuring compliance” would have to return for a hearing (thanks TheVerge).
The two companies have since filed a joint notice stating they have “resolved all issues”.
As such, Fortnite has now returned to iOS devices, with Epic boss Tim Sweeney writing on social media “we back fam”.
Though Fortnite had already returned to iOS devices in the European Union, Apple’s block of the game in the US delayed a regular update to the game, forcing all versions to be taken down.
Of course, the UK is no longer in the EU, meaning Fortnite is not yet available here on iOS. It’s expected in the second half of this year.
Back in 2020, Epic added a direct in-game payment option in Fortnite to circumvent Apple and Google’s official in-app purchase options, from which those companies take a 30 percent cut.
In retaliation, Apple pulled Fortnite from its App Store, sparking the five-year feud.
A verdict was finally reached earlier this month, when the US District Court of Northern California found Apple in “wilful violation” of the court’s previous injunction designed to prohibit the company’s “anticompetitive conduct and anticompetitive pricing”.
That injunction meant Apple had to allow purchases for apps from outside websites, to which it agreed but levied a 27 percent fee. The court stated this move “strains credulity” and that Apple’s goal “was to dissuade customer usage of alternative purchase opportunities and maintain its anticompetitive revenue stream”. The court verdict added: “In the end, Apple sought to maintain a revenue stream worth billions in direct defiance of this Court’s Injunction.”
Sweeney wrote on social media “Game over for the Apple Tax” and stated Fortnite would return to the iOS App store. Now, it finally has.
Writing on social media last night, Sweeney said: “Thanks to everyone who supported the effort to open up mobile competition and #FreeFortnite from the very beginning. And thanks to all of the folks who initially sided with Apple then later came around to the winning side, supporting app developer rights and consumer rights.”
Fortnite has immediately risen to the top free game on iOS in the US.
Epic has this week been in hot water due to the addition of AI Darth Vader to Fortnite, which was quickly used to spout bad language. A hot fix has since been issued, but actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labour practice charge in retaliation for the use of AI.