Fortnite has returned to the iOS App Store in the United States following a legal battle that went on for five years. As Epic Games’ popular video game returned to Apple, it represented a dramatic shift in the app ecosystem, following a court verdict against the tech giant’s high transaction fees.
In August 2020, Fortnite was taken down from the app store for introducing its own in-app payment mechanism in violation of Apple’s rules.
The tech giant charges a 30 percent commission on all in-app sales, which this would have avoided.
Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, filed a lawsuit after the move, claiming that Apple was operating the app store like a monopoly and that the cost was unjust.
Fortnite took to the social media platform X and posted that it is now accessible on the US app store, as well as the Epic Games Store and AltStore across the European Union.
“It will appear on Search soon!” the post continued.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has long stated that its policies ensure users’ security.
Wednesday’s development is being viewed as a victory for Epic Games, which has been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with Apple.
Joost van Dreunen, a games business professor at NYU Stern said, “This is a clear win for Epic Games. Epic has effectively forced open a door that Apple and others worked very hard to keep shut.”
“The industry has long tiptoed around platform gatekeeping, but this moment signals a shift in the balance. Creators and publishers will now have more leverage to challenge entrenched distribution models,” he added.
Last week, Fortnite suddenly stopped being available on app stores worldwide due to an update that Apple reportedly blocked.
Encouraged by a law intended to boost competition, the video game made a four-year hiatus before returning to the EU app store last January.
The download prohibition was overturned last year by Google, which also kicked Fortnite out of its app store in 2020 because to its payment policies.
There are almost 400 million registered players on Fortnite, demonstrating its immense popularity.
Technically, there are several game modes in the shooting and constructing game. However, its most well-liked feature is its online battle royale, in which up to 100 people fight to be the last one standing.