Epic is ready to launch Fortnite in the EU via the Apple App Store

Fortnite Key Art | Image Credit: Epic Games

Epic Games is one of the few companies that has successfully challenged Apple and Google, two of the most powerful gatekeepers of the digital economy. Even though it failed to win the case against Apple, the Cupertino giant was forced to radically change the rules of its App Store in the EU. And it all started with Fortnite. In 2020, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney told NPR that Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store are “earn more money from creative works than creators.” This was a direct reference to the 30% cut of revenue Apple takes from every purchase made in the App Store.

After Epic implemented changes to Fortnite to bypass App Store payments, Apple blocked the game from the App Store, leading to a lawsuit from Epic and a countersuit from Apple.

It all ended in January 2024 when the Supreme Court considered the case a victory for Apple. But this is not the case in the EU where Apple has been forced to make numerous changes to comply with the DMA (Digital Markets Act).

Specifically, the DMA states that developers who offer their application through the Apple App Store should be allowed to inform customers of alternative purchasing options, as well as direct them to these offers and make these purchases without no reduction in income.

This opens the door to one of Apple’s biggest enemies: Epic Games. The company just announced that it has submitted the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to Apple »for their required notarization process.”

If all goes well, Epic Games will launch the store and Fortnite on iOS in the EU in the coming months. The problem is that this “notarization process” could take months, not because it also includes a human verification step by Apple, but because of the animosity between the two companies.