"After Epic Games secures a court victory, Fortnite commences its release on Apple's App Store"
Taking a Swipe at the Tech Giants: Epic Games Re-Submits Fortnite to Apple's App Store
Digging Deeper: After a long-drawn legal battle, Epic Games, the game developer behind the global phenomenon Fortnite, has re-submitted the app to Apple's App Store. The move comes nearly a month after a judge's ruling in favor of Epic Games, opening the doors for the game's potential return to the iOS platform.
Apple may still reject Fortnite's re-submission. As of yet, Apple has not commented on the matter, compounding the ongoing tensions between the two tech giants. Apple is also appealing the contempt ruling from last month.
The battle between Epic Games and Apple escalated in 2020, when Epic Games updated Fortnite's software to bypass Apple's commission fees. This move, which led to Fortnite's removal from iPhones and the App Store, set off a legal battle that has continued for years.
Flip-Flopping Fees: Apple levies a commission of between 15% and 30% on in-app purchases made using its payment system. By linking directly to their own websites, developers can bypass these fees. Prior to the recent ruling, Apple had allowed link-outs under its system but was set to charge a 27% commission for the service.
Major players like Amazon and Spotify have already taken advantage of this loophole, updating their apps to avoid Apple's commission fees and direct customers to their own websites for purchases.
European Edge: Since last year, Fortnite has been available for download on iPhones in Europe through Epic Games' store. This is possible due to the Digital Markets Act, which allows for the existence of third-party app stores in Europe. Users can also play Fortnite on iPhones and iPads via cloud gaming services.
In the interim, consumers have shown a marked preparedness for the potential economic impacts, suggesting a shift in the app development economy for iPhones. Fortnite's re-entry into the App Store could further accentuate this trend.
Sources:
[1] CNBC
[2] The Verge
[3] GamesIndustry.biz
[4] Bloomberg
[5] Fast Company
- Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has re-submitted their app to Apple's App Store following a judge's ruling in their favor, possibly signaling a return of Fortnite to the iOS platform.
- Despite the re-submission, it remains unclear if Apple will accept Fortnite back onto their platform, as they are still appealing the contempt ruling, creating ongoing tensions between the tech giants.
- Technology companies like Amazon and Spotify have already managed to bypass Apple's commissions on in-app purchases by linking directly to their own websites, a practice that Apple previously allowed but intended to charge a 27% commission for.
- In Europe, Fortnite has been available for download on iPhones through Epic Games' store due to the Digital Markets Act, a regulation that permits the existence of third-party app stores in Europe.
- As Fortnite's potential re-entry into the App Store approaches, consumers seem ready for the economic implications, suggesting a potential shift in the app development economy for iPhones that could be further amplified by Fortnite's return.
