Congrats to Epic Games on this incredible achievement! After five years in the cold, Fortnite has returned to the U.S. App Store. This reinstatement follows a recent legal challenge filed by Epic Games, prompting a judge to order Apple to clarify the reasons behind the game’s prolonged unavailability or to reach a resolution regarding its status.
That all changed last week when the legal proceedings took quite a turn. Last week a federal judge ordered Apple to provide reasons why Fortnite had not been approved. Though plaintiffs prevailed on a very narrow issue, this ruling was at the heart of the game’s return. It served to underscore the long-standing feud between Epic Games and Apple. The judge’s decision came in light of a prior ruling that prohibited Apple from charging a commission on apps that link out for payment, further complicating Apple’s control over its App Store ecosystem.
On Tuesday, Apple officially approved Fortnite for re-entry into the App Store, allowing users to download the popular first-person shooter game once again. The full app can now be viewed online at this link. Epic Games, a company that has proven to be at the forefront of innovation within both gaming and digital distribution, was pleased by the news.
Fast forward to five years ago, when California-based Fortnite was booted from the App Store. This lawsuit stemmed from bitter battles over anti-competitive payment policies, app store rules, and regulations. In the process, Epic Games alleged that Apple tried to shut down its account completely before eventually relenting.
Last month, the judge ruled in Epic Games’ favor. Concurrently with these lawsuits and industry pushback, large app developers such as Amazon and Spotify already modified their apps to meet the new guidelines. These amendments enable users to find alternative links for buying content directly from within the apps. This change signals the broader transformation of the app marketplace.
Fortnite is returning to the App Store in style. These legal developments may have significant implications that extend well beyond a single game. The decisions made in this case could have lasting effects on how app developers navigate their relationships with platform owners like Apple.