Fortnite's Return to iOS in the UK Uncertain as Epic Games Criticizes 'Weak' Apple Regulations

Epic Games today criticized the focus of measures that the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering implementing against Apple and Google, claiming that it might not be able to bring Fortnite back to the iOS App Store in the UK.

fortnite apple featured
The CMA said that it will designate Apple and Google with "strategic market status" under new digital competition laws, giving the CMA the ability to direct how the ‌App Store‌ and Play Store are run. The CMA is focusing on Apple's anti-steering rules and app review processes rather than forcing Apple to support sideloading through alternative app stores, which is what ‌Epic Games‌ takes issue with.

‌Epic Games‌ says that it won't be able to bring the ‌Epic Games‌ Store to iOS in the UK this year, and Fortnite's return to iOS in the UK is "now uncertain" because the CMA is not prioritizing opening the mobile ecosystem to alternative app stores.

A free market requires multiple stores competing to offer consumers the best prices and services. If you don't have competing stores, the one store that is a state-sanctioned monopoly will use its control to extract all the value from the market at the expense of all creators who cannot compete, and consumers who can't choose the best deal among competing stores.

‌Epic Games‌ also claims that any anti-steering rules will see "years of malicious compliance" from Apple, suggesting that Apple used "restrictions, obstructions, and junk fees" in Europe to "make a mockery of the Digital Markets Act." Apple and Google must be "completely blocked from imposing fees and discriminating against apps using out-of-app payment," reads Epic's blog post.

The CMA does not plan to consider store competition until sometime in 2026, which ‌Epic Games‌ says is "bleak news."

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Top Rated Comments

chrono1081 Avatar
23 hours ago at 04:40 pm
Tim Sweeny is a garbage human being. He wants to control everyone else's business.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
breenmask Avatar
23 hours ago at 04:34 pm
Oh god, what a super greedy complainer, Tim Sweeney.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surferfb Avatar
23 hours ago at 04:47 pm
I wonder if he complains this much about having to pay rent to Epic’s landlord. “It’s not fair I don’t get to use their property for free.”
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ZMacintosh Avatar
23 hours ago at 04:38 pm
go away, so sick of these dweebs. won't partake in their software/games on iOS, macOS, or on other consoles. just quit offering your product to Apple users and see what happens, if they follow epic, good for them, if not, bye epic
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoldOnApple Avatar
23 hours ago at 05:14 pm
So will the EU make it so you can sideload games on your PS5, xbox, or Switch to avoid the 30% fee?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stevez67 Avatar
23 hours ago at 05:12 pm
The trouble with side loading apps is that when the app doesn't work well or people find out their data has been stolen by an app, people complain. The app developer blames Apple for not doing enough to make side loaded apps safely and easily work, Apple blames the crappy developer for poor coding. And, since the side loaded app isn't paying Apple commission to be on the platform, I don't see how anyone expects Apple to lift a finger to help them. In the end, the consumer loses privacy and iPhone performance suffers.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)