What does the European Union have to do with it? Epic Games announces Fortnite return to iPhone and iPad this year
Epic Games has announced the return of Fortnite to Apple devices: the company has posted on its social media that the game will be available on iOS via the Epic Games Store later this year. However, the opportunity to play the game will be limited to users in the European Union.
Remember Fortnite on iOS?
- Fortnite (@FortniteGame) 25 January 2024
How bout we bring that back.
Later this year, Fortnite will be returning to Europe on iOS via the @EpicGames Store.
(shoutout to DMA - an important new law in the EU making this possible). @Apple, the world is watching. pic.twitter.com/VdHWTe8i1c
Here's What We Know
For those who were not very interested in the news of the gaming industry or just somehow missed it, we will explain: back in 2020, Fortnite was removed from the macOS App Store and iOS App Store. The reason was the fact that Epic Games deliberately violated the App Store rules and added alternative payment methods to the game that bypassed Apple's payment system.
Strangely enough, European regulators intervened and ordered Apple to add the ability to install third-party applications to its smartphones and tablets, which will allow Epic Games to return Fortnite to iPhone and iPad. Through its own store, Epic will be able to provide free downloads of Fortnite on iOS devices for three years.
As for the game's return to the App Store, back in September 2021, Apple announced that the game would not return to their store until all court appeals were completed, which could take up to five years.
Source: GamingBolt
