Fortnite returns to Apple’s App Store worldwide

Epic Games has decided to return to the App Store.

This is a significant development not only for gaming, but well beyond it. Fortnite is set to return to Apple’s App Store in every country worldwide except Australia. Epic Games has taken this decision despite its legal dispute with the Cupertino company, which has been ongoing since 2020. Tim Sweeney’s company says it expects US federal courts to force Apple to disclose its commission structure.

According to Epic Games, should the technology giant reveal that information, governments around the world will no longer accept what it calls “Apple’s excessive commissions”. Fortnite was removed from the app marketplace after Apple accused the developer of bypassing the commissions charged on its platform.

Fortnite’s worldwide App Store return

The game’s return applies globally, with Australia the sole exception. The move comes as the court fight between Epic Games and Apple continues, with the outcome expected to have far-reaching implications for the mobile app ecosystem and the commission rates Apple is able to impose.

The start of the “final legal battle”

In a statement issued for the announcement, the company said:

“We will continue to challenge Apple’s anti-competitive App Store practices, which prohibit alternative app stores and every form of competition in payments. We have seen momentum build around the world to tackle these practices. Several regulators have already passed laws in Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom in an effort to address them, but each time Apple has circumvented those laws through warning screens, charges and other financial requirements. It is time for regulators to genuinely enforce their laws so that developers and consumers worldwide can benefit from an open and fair mobile app ecosystem.”

Tim Sweeney struck a similar note, adding: “Fortnite is returning to Apple’s App Store as we prepare to face Apple in the final legal battle. For years, Apple has fragmented iOS features and fees by territory, secretly taking regulatory negotiating positions and deliberately delaying the course of justice.”

Apple yet to respond

Apple has not yet issued an official response to the news, although it is undoubtedly being closely watched in Cupertino. Judicial developments will have a major effect on the global applications ecosystem and on the level of commissions the company can charge.