Fortnite Reclaims Its Place on iPhones: A Triumph of Developer Autonomy and the Path to a More Open App Store

The world of mobile gaming took a dramatic turn in 2020 when Epic Games, the developer of the popular battle royale game Fortnite, engaged in a high-profile legal battle with Apple over the company's App Store policies. 

The dispute centered on Apple's requirement that all iOS apps use its in-app payment system, which charges developers a hefty 30% commission. Epic Games, seeking to bypass this fee and offer players lower prices, introduced its payment system within Fortnite, leading to Apple's removal of the game from the App Store.

It's official, Fortnite is making its official return to iPhone in 2024 ( the game was kicked out of the App Store ). And you know what? All this is thanks to a 180-degree turnaround in Apple's policies which complies with the new rules of the European Union.

This turnaround is a big change, not just for Epic Games and Apple, but for the entire world of mobile apps.

Epic Games, the publisher behind Fortnite, has announced that they will launch their own app store on iPhone, much like what they did on Android.

This news comes after a long legal battle between Epic Games, Apple, and Google around the famous App Store and Play Store commissions.

The ensuing legal battle made headlines worldwide, highlighting the contentious relationship between app developers and Apple's control over the iOS ecosystem. While the legal case remains ongoing, a significant development in 2024 has paved the way for Fortnite's return to iPhones – albeit without the App Store's oversight.

Enter the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a landmark piece of legislation passed by the European Union in 2023. The DMA aims to curb the power of gatekeepers like Apple and Amazon, introducing new rules to promote competition and innovation in the digital marketplace. One of the DMA's key provisions requires large app stores like Apple's to allow developers to use third-party payment systems.

Capitalizing on this opportunity, Epic Games announced in January 2024 that it would bring its own Epic Games Store to iOS devices in Europe, allowing Fortnite to be downloaded and updated directly through the platform. This move effectively circumvents Apple's App Store and enables Epic Games to retain more control over its revenue and pricing strategy.

Epic Games is wasting no time.

Epic Games is wasting no time and announced its plan to launch its alternative app store on iPhone. This means that they will be able to offer Fortnite directly to iPhone users, without going through the App Store and without paying Apple's famous commissions.

Fortnite will return to iOS in Europe in 2024, distributed by the upcoming @EpicGames Store for iOS. Stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We'll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law. https://t.co/MHh6EGVinC

— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) January 25, 2024

Until now, only indirect means allowed you to play Fortnite on iPhone, such as cloud gaming for example.

For Fortnite fans, this is great news! After being deprived of the game on iPhone because of the conflict over commissions, they will finally be able to dive back into the action. Epic Games offers them a new way to play Fortnite, directly via their alternative store.

The return of Fortnite to iPhones without the App Store is a significant step forward in the ongoing battle for developer autonomy and a more open app ecosystem. By allowing third-party payment systems, the DMA is empowering developers to bypass Apple's hefty commissions and offer players more competitive pricing. This could lead to a more diverse range of app options and a more equitable distribution of revenue between developers and platform holders.

However, the ramifications of this move extend beyond the realm of mobile gaming. The DMA's implications could reshape the broader tech landscape, potentially impacting how other major app stores and online marketplaces operate. The decision by Epic Games to leverage the DMA's provisions sets a precedent for other developers to challenge the dominance of app store gatekeepers and demand greater control over their products and pricing strategies.

It remains to be seen how Apple will respond to this development. The company has expressed concerns about the DMA's potential impact on its security and privacy measures, arguing that it could create loopholes for malicious actors. Apple may also seek to lobby for changes to the regulation or challenge its validity in court.

Despite these potential hurdles, Fortnite's return to iPhones without the App Store marks a significant milestone in the fight for a more open and competitive digital marketplace. The DMA's provisions have empowered developers like Epic Games to challenge the status quo and advocate for a fairer system that benefits both developers and consumers. Only time will tell how this development unfolds, but it is clear that Fortnite's comeback signals a shift towards a more decentralized and developer-centric mobile gaming ecosystem.