Epic Games has announced the highly anticipated return of Fortnite and the Epic Games Store to Apple’s iOS devices in the UK by the latter half of 2025. This comeback is fueled by a recently enacted competition law that challenges the dominance of tech giants in the mobile gaming market.
The Antitrust Saga: A Legal Brawl with Mixed Results
The Fortnite saga began in 2020 when Epic Games removed Fortnite from the iOS App Store and filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple. Epic accused Apple of anti-competitive practices, specifically taking issue with Apple’s mandatory 30% commission on all in-app purchases. While Epic largely lost the lawsuit, they did secure a small but significant win. The US court ruled that Apple cannot restrict iOS developers from advertising alternative payment methods within their apps, particularly if it allows users to access lower prices outside the App Store.
Epic’s Victories Mount: Google Lawsuit and the Digital Markets Act
Beyond the Apple lawsuit, Epic has also been embroiled in a legal battle with Google. In a similar vein, Epic sued Google for anti-competitive practices within the Google Play Store. Here, Epic enjoyed more success, winning the case in a lower court ruling. However, this decision is currently under appeal.
Adding further momentum to Epic’s fight, the European Union introduced the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in 2022. This landmark legislation mandates that large tech platforms, like Apple and Google, must allow competition from third-party app stores and payment methods within their ecosystems. The DMA serves as a major turning point, directly impacting the return of Fortnite Mobile to iOS devices.
Epic Pushes for Change in the Google Play Store
Beyond legal battles, Epic has also been actively proposing changes to the Google Play Store in an effort to foster a more competitive environment for developers. These proposals are part of the ongoing lawsuit between Epic and Google. Recently, the court ruled in Epic’s favor, highlighting Google’s anti-competitive practices within the Play Store. As a result, the court has ordered Google to allow third-party app stores and payment processors to operate within the Android ecosystem, giving users more options for in-app purchases.
Epic Outlines Measures for Google’s Compliance
Building on the court’s ruling, Epic has outlined specific actions Google can take to ensure user choice and fair competition within the Play Store. Epic emphasizes the need for transparency, urging Google to clearly communicate to users the existence of alternative payment methods. Additionally, Epic calls for the establishment of a dedicated Compliance Committee and the appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer within Google to oversee adherence to the court’s decision. Finally, Epic seeks the unrestricted ability to bring the Epic Games Store to Android devices, free from interference or retaliation from Google.
A Turning Point for Mobile Gaming: The Fight for a Fairer Market
The return of Fortnite Mobile to iOS signifies a significant victory for Epic Games in their fight against the anti-competitive practices of tech giants. The ongoing lawsuits and the introduction of the DMA are paving the way for a more equitable mobile gaming landscape. By promoting competition and user choice, these developments ultimately benefit both gamers and developers.
See more information in the Game News section here.
