Huge Win for Epic as Fortnite is Finally on the Way Back

Fortnite‘s hype and popularity are unmatched in the gaming world. This Epic Games battle royale title is still at the top of everyone’s list. One of the most prominent reasons for this game’s success is its availability on various platforms, like consoles, PCs, and smartphones as well.

However, one place where this highly popular game was exempted was on iOS. Fans have been wanting this game for so long on iPhones, iPads, and other devices. As things stand, the wait might be over.

Fortnite is Coming Back on iOS in Europe

After being rejected twice, Apple now has finally accepted the Epic Games Store notarization submission. That means soon we are going to see Fortnite on Apple devices. For the first time, an official third-party app named Epic Sweden AB Marketplace app is going to get a place on an iOS device.

Update: Apple has informed us that our previously rejected Epic Games Store notarization submission has now been accepted.

— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) July 5, 2024

However, there are some strict regulations that Epic Games must follow to take this step forward. As per Section 2.3(G) of Apple’s developers’ agreement, Epic Games has agreed to make its Game Store a lot different from the App Store.

Epic Games has been trying to reach its fans on iPhones without paying the high commissions on the App Store through in-app purchases. Despite several failed efforts to prove the tech giants a monopolist, finally, EU regulators stepped in and probably is going to end the gatekeeping of the company.

This might be the start of a new era where the tech giant is now required to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone under the new rule of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law was brought in as the iPhone makers were deemed a “gatekeeper” in introducing new products to their phones. App developers now also have a way to reduce commissions on in-app purchases via App Store, thanks to a new law by the DMA.

Why Was Fortnite Rejected?

Before being accepted by Apple, Epic Games posted a tweet thread where they expressed their dissatisfaction for getting rejected by the company twice. They started the according to multi-billion company, Epic’s position of “install” button and was too “similar” to the tech giants. Also it was claimed the “In-app purchase” button was way too similar to App Store’s “In-App Purchases” label.

However, Epic explained the reason for keeping the design and approach the same: it wanted to follow the standard convention for buttons in iOS apps. Thus, keeping those buttons in that way would have made Epic’s store more user-friendly to iOS users.

1/3 Apple has rejected our Epic Games Store notarization submission twice now, claiming the design and position of Epic’s “Install” button is too similar to Apple’s “Get” button and that our “In-app purchases” label is too similar to the App Store’s “In-App Purchases” label.

— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) July 5, 2024

Epic Games had also  stated that these rejections were “arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA.” It also shared the issue with the European Commission to seek assistance in this regard.

Are you excited to play Fortnite on your iPhone and iPad? Let us know in the comment section.