Fortnite is back on Apple’s App Store worldwide, apart from Australia.
Epic’s flagship title returned to the US App Store almost precisely a year ago. The return was forced by US judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who ordered Apple to resolve its issues with Epic over the release of Fortnite on the US App Store, or explain itself in court. It worked.
Today’s rest-of-world (minus Australia) relaunch follows yet more shenanigans from tech giant Apple, says Epic, which seems to be releasing the game to force the iPhone maker to reveal its commission structure, which can also vary from market-to-market, depending on the developer’s circumstances and if it offers payments outside of Apple’s walled garden.
“Apple knows the U.S. federal court will force it to be transparent about how it charges its App Store fees,” said the Fortnite maker. “Fortnite is returning to the App Store now because we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand.”
Epic also vowed to “continue to challenge Apple’s anticompetitive App Store practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments.” in its blog announcing the news.
It continued: “We’ve seen momentum around the world to address these practices, with regulators passing laws in Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom – but time and time again Apple has evaded the laws with scare screens, fees and onerous requirements.”
“It’s time for regulators to truly enforce the laws so developers and consumers around the world can benefit from an open and fair mobile app ecosystem,” Epic added.
The game has not returned to Australia just yet, though. In that market, Epic won its court case against Apple and the court found many of the tech giant’s developer terms to be illegal.
“Epic is now asking the Court to bring Apple’s unlawful conduct to an end and to make orders that will benefit all app developers and iOS users,” the company explained.
“Epic can’t return under an illegal payment arrangement with Apple, so unless Apple agrees to adopt lawful payment terms in the interim, we must wait for a Court decision.”
Tim Sweeney also had his say on X, posting: “Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store as we head into the final battle of Epic v Apple in court. For years, Apple has fragmented iOS features and fees by territory, taking regulatory negotiating positions in secret, and intentionally delaying the pursuit of justice.”
He continued: “Apple has now told the Supreme Court, “Regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States.” So we see this as the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide.”
