Fortnite, a first-person shooter game developed by Epic Games, was cleared by Apple on Tuesday, bringing it back to the App Store in the United States after being taken down five years prior.
After Epic changed Fortnite’s game online to accept money directly rather than through Apple’s in-app payment system, which charges up to 30%, the game was removed from the App Store in 2020. Apple was incensed by the action, which led to a protracted legal battle.
Epic won a legal battle last month when a judge said that Apple could not impose a fee on apps that link out for money or control whether or not those connections resemble buttons. Last week, Epic announced that Fortnite has been added to the US App Store. In order to be allowed to return, Fortnite had to pass Apple’s App Review process, which involves having new apps or updates examined by Apple staff members to make sure they function and follow company policies.
Since Epic submitted the software to Apple on May 9, the company has been taking its time to approve it. Epic launched a court challenge last week, and a judge ruled on Monday that Apple needed to either explain why Fortnite hadn’t been authorized yet or reach an agreement with Epic on the game’s status.
Apple is requesting a delay to allow it to reverse the modifications it has already made to the App Store in accordance to the most recent court ruling, which it is contesting. A request for comment was not immediately answered by an Apple official.
Major app developers like Amazon and Spotify modified their apps to include buttons to purchase material as a result of last month’s verdict. For instance, customers can now purchase Kindle books directly from the iPhone’s Kindle app.
Changes made possible by last month’s judgment allowed Amazon and Spotify to update previously approved apps. Apple booted Fortnite and deleted Epic’s developer account after Epic filed a lawsuit against the company.
Since last year, when the Digital Markets Act went into effect, Epic has been able to obtain a European developer account and is now selling Fortnite in Europe through a third-party app store. Cloud gaming services also allow iPhone users to play Fortnite. However, Epic claimed that even in Europe, Apple attempted to delete its account before reversing course.
An increasingly significant portion of Apple’s revenue comes from the fees it collects from the App Store. They are included in Apple’s Services division, which also covers advertising, AppleCare guarantees, payments, and subscription services like Apple TV+. In the March quarter, Apple recorded services revenue of around $27 billion.
