Fortnite and Epic Games Store Submitted to Apple for iOS Launch in EU

Epic Games says it has submitted the Epic Games Store to Apple for notarization under Apple's alternative app marketplace policy in the European Union.

fortnite apple logo 2
The ‌Epic Games‌ Store will include popular game Fortnite, which means ‌iPhone‌ users in the EU will be able to install and play the title without having to use a cloud gaming service. Epic said it was "targeting the next couple months for the store and Fortnite on iOS in the EU." An ‌iPad‌ version of Fortnite is expected to follow this year.

Fortnite has been banned from the iOS App Store for the last several years due to the legal dispute between Apple and ‌Epic Games‌. An avenue for its return was only made possible after Apple made it possible for iPhone‌ users in the EU to download apps from alternative app marketplaces rather than the App Store, as well as directly from developer websites.

Apple is charging a 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee per year for apps installed outside of the ‌App Store‌ (and in the ‌App Store‌ for developers who opt in to the new terms and also still choose to use Apple's system), but there are no ‌App Store‌ commissions or in-app fees. While Apple is waiving fees for the first one million installs, the 0.50 per user fee will cost app developers like ‌Epic Games‌ a notable amount of money, especially given that Epic will often be charged twice – once for its app marketplace and once again for every Fortnite install.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been critical of Apple's App Store changes to bring its policies in line with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Sweeney has described the changes as a "devious new instance of malicious compliance," and called Apple's charges "junk fees." The European Commission last week formally announced its preliminary view that Apple's App Store policies are in breach of the DMA. The Commission also said it would open a new non-compliance procedure against Apple over concerns that its contractual requirements for third-party app developers and app marketplaces, including its Core Technology Fee, "fall short of ensuring effective compliance with Apple's obligations under the DMA."

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Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

No secret this wasn’t happening in the EU. Think it’s a harbinger that for sleazy companies it’s business as usual in the EU.
Take a look at the games section of the US App Store. 9 out every 10 games are sleazy and run by a sleazy developer..

Apple is fine with sleazy businesses as long as they get their cut.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

I still don’t get the desire for outside app stores. I bought an iPhone to have walls. If I wanted that much choice, I’d get an android.
You bought an iPhone to have walls. The vast majority bought an iPhone to have an iPhone.

Some of us, myself included, bought an iPhone despite having walls.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Johnny Steps Avatar
10 months ago
I still don’t get the desire for outside app stores. I bought an iPhone to have walls. If I wanted that much choice, I’d get an android.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
10 months ago
Imagine Apple not approving it lol
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SanderEvers Avatar
10 months ago
I am so ready not to install it on my iPhone.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lkrupp Avatar
10 months ago
It has been pointed out that while Android has had third party app stores for years the vast majority of Android users stick exclusively to the Google Play store for their apps. The same will occur with third party iOS stores. Of course the novelty factor will be in play at first but will quickly wear off. Just my prediction and I know the techie wannabes behind this will not agree. This is just like the jaibreaking “community” of outliers who do things because they can, no need for justification or usefulness.

Bottom line is that all of this is for a small minority of users.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)