Fortnite could be making a comeback to iOS devices after years of banishment following Epic Games’ end run of Apple’s service fees. It’s been roughly five years since Epic Games allowed in-game purchases through Fortnite, thus sidestepping Apple’s 30% service fees, which then led to it being removed from the App Store. Shortly thereafter, both companies engaged their legal teams to fight each other. Apple was not the only company Epic Games set its sights on, as Google was also embroiled in similar legal battles with the rival game publisher and storefront operator.
It may be taking years, and at this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to how much money in legal fees, but Epic Games is making progress with its courtroom campaigns happening on multiple fronts. The latest ruling comes via a U.S. district court judge who last month declared that Apple “willfully” chose to be noncompliant with a previous injunction from 2021 and cannot do the following:
Per Epic v. Apple Contempt order (via The Verge):
- Impose “any commission or any fee on purchases that consumers make outside an app”
- Restrict developers’ style, formatting, or placement of links for purchases outside of an app
- Block or limit the “use of buttons or other calls to action”
- Interfere with consumers’ choice to leave an app with anything beyond “a neutral message apprising users that they are going to a third-party site”
Apple is appealing the decision, but in the meantime, Epic Games resubmitted the Fortnite app on May 9th. A post on Epic’s social media page states, “We’ve submitted Fortnite to Apple for review so we can launch on the App Store in the U.S.”
As of now, there’s no update on whether the app has been re-approved, which is a bit conspicuous given that many apps are approved within 24 hours; however, perhaps Apple’s team took the weekend off. In other Fortnite news, its Star Wars-themed galactic battle began this month, giving players a chance to wield a lightsaber or strap into a Starfighter and save the galaxy from evil Sith lord, Jar-Jar Binks. Epic is also currently offering a 20% cashback via Epic Rewards for purchases made on the Epic Games Store using its payment system. This promotion runs through August 31.
Per Epic Games:
“Permanently get 20% back on purchases in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys, when you use Epic’s payment system. Plus, we are boosting Epic Rewards from 5% to 20% for all other Epic Games Store purchases using Epic’s payment system through August 31.”