Fortnite Returns to App Store as Apple Lawsuit Enters the 'Final Battle'

Fortnite is back on the iOS App Store in multiple regions after Epic Games stated that its long legal dispute with Apple is in the “final battle” phase. The Fortnite developer said that the game has returned to the App Store out of confidence that Apple will have to be more transparent about the fees it charges on its storefront moving forward.

Apple and Epic Games have been in a lengthy legal dispute since 2020, when Apple pulled Fortnite from the App Store. The dispute arose over Epic allowing external payment options for Fortnite that would undercut the App Store’s fees. Epic stated that Apple’s fees were in violation of US antitrust regulations. Despite its best efforts, Apple was subsequently ordered to allow third-party app stores to be accessible in select regions. Although Apple still found ways to take its cut from third-party payment providers and app stores, Apple’s fee structure was found in contempt by the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Fortnite’s “Final Battle” With Apple Approaches

Although Fortnite has been available on Apple devices in the US for nearly a year, Epic Games stated that it was ready to bring back Fortnite to more Apple devices across the globe. Epic Games confirmed in a May 19 blog post that Fortnite is available once again in more territories for players to download on their iOS-powered devices. Epic added that the “final battle” with Apple was at hand after six years of legal exchanges between the two corporations. Epic’s decision to bring back Fortnite’s iOS version across more nations came just weeks after US Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan refused Apple’s request to stay the Ninth Circuit’s contempt ruling. Following Kagan’s refusal, Apple said, “Regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States.”

Put the consoles in the correct order.

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Epic Games said that momentum was building across Japan, the UK, and the European Union to hold Apple accountable for the fees it charged third-party developers. However, Epic said that Fortnite has not returned to the Australian App Store as of this writing. While Epic has claimed legal victories over Apple, the company stated that Apple has continued to enforce its third-party app fees despite being told not to do so. Ergo, Epic stated it must wait for a court decision that would force Apple to comply with Australia’s rulings against it. It remains to be seen when Australian users can once again download and install Fortnite on the iOS App Store.

Girl running away with rocket launcher in Fortnite

The return of Fortnite to more iOS devices across the globe came amid a busy time for Epic Games. As of this writing, Fortnite is hosting a crossover event with Blizzard’s Overwatch. The crossover is part of Fortnite‘s ongoing third act of Chapter 7 Season 2. Fortnite players have until June 4 to participate in the event, with skins of Overwatch characters Tracer, Genji, Mercy, and D.Va available to purchase with V-Bucks.

Guess the games from the emojis.

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Despite the ongoing crossover with Blizzard’s Overwatch, public scrutiny over Epic Games’ mass round of layoffs in March still lingered. Though Epic Games remained confident in its ongoing legal battle with Apple, time will tell when it will reach a decisive conclusion.