After numerous teases and false starts, Fortnite has finally made its triumphant return to the iOS App Store, at least for users in the US. This marks a significant milestone in the long-drawn-out legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, which began back in 2020. It's a clear signal that the dust is settling, and Epic has come out on top against the tech giants, Apple and Google.
The feud kicked off when Epic introduced alternative payment methods within Fortnite, bypassing the App Store's fees and directly challenging Apple's 30% cut on transactions. This bold move set off a chain reaction of legal confrontations, with victories and defeats on both sides. However, the final outcome has seen Apple and Google forced to relax their grip on in-app purchase fees, external links, and third-party app stores.
For gamers, the immediate impact might still be up in the air. Developers have been pushing in-app purchases made outside the traditional app stores with enticing deals, while platforms like the Epic Games Store have been sweetening the pot with initiatives like their popular free game program.
Behind the scenes, the implications are huge. Apple and Google have long dominated the mobile gaming ecosystem, but the Epic vs. Apple legal battle has undeniably shaken things up. The question now is whether this will usher in a new era of app stores, or if we'll see a continuation of the status quo with just a few tweaks.
For those interested in exploring games outside the conventional app stores, be sure to check out our feature, "Off the AppStore," where you can discover some fantastic alternative releases.
