Fortnite has returned to Apple's App Store worldwide, except in Australia, amid expectations that US federal courts will require Apple to disclose its fee structure.
Epic Games relaunched Fortnite after Apple informed the US Supreme Court about global regulators monitoring the case to determine Apple's commission rates in major markets outside the US. Epic anticipates that governments will not allow what it calls 'Apple junk fees' once Apple reveals its costs. The legal dispute between Epic and Apple originated in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store for allegedly avoiding platform fees.
Although Fortnite remains unavailable on iOS in Australia, Epic partially won a court case there deeming many of Apple's developer terms as unlawful. The game's return to iOS in Australia is hindered by what Epic labels an 'illegal payment arrangement with Apple,' pending a court decision or Apple's acceptance of 'lawful payment terms.' Epic continues to challenge Apple's App Store practices and advocates for fair competition in the mobile app ecosystem.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney emphasized the significance of Fortnite's return to the Apple App Store as the legal battle with Apple intensifies. He criticized Apple's territorial fee structures and regulatory tactics, asserting the need for justice and competition in the digital marketplace. The Epic Games Store recently launched in Japan following the Mobile Software Competition Act, expanding its availability across different platforms.
