Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, claims on Twitter that Fortnite will return to Apple devices later this year. While this isn’t an official confirmation just yet, chances are that Fortnite will indeed return to iOS and iPadOS.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hinted on Twitter that Fortnite will return to iOS and iPadOS in 2023. In the past there have been rumors of a reconciliation between Apple and Epic. With the appeals process for the big lawsuit still ongoing, it could take some time…
Next year on iOS!
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 31, 2022
Apple vs. Epic: This has happened so far
For those who didn’t hear the controversial dispute between Apple and Epic, a quick summary:
Apple revoked Epic’s Fortnite developer account in August 2020 and blocked the distribution of Fortnite on its devices after Epic intentionally circumvented contractually required app store payment mechanisms in its Fortnite iOS app – a move Apple has since labeled “willful breach of contract.” referred to. There was a huge back-and-forth after that. Fortnite even ran a full “Free Fortnite” campaign against Apple!
Read the most important things here:
In a December interview, Sweeney stressed that he would fight Apple all the way to the Supreme Court if it won. “We’re just going to fight until we get what we’re asking for,” Sweeney said. This somewhat exaggerated claim here is just that Apple has put Fortnite back on the App Store.
In early December, Sweeney continued to rail against Apple and its policies, claiming they were anti-competitive. Sweeney compared Apple’s management of the App Store to railroad monopolies preventing oil refineries from using the infrastructure. Yes… you can almost laugh about it.r
Fortnite could really return to the App Store in 2023!
While this all seems pretty ridiculous, Epic’s lawsuit against Apple was actually a partial success, as in 2021 it was decided that Apple can no longer ban developers from including links to external payment options – exactly what Fortnite initially got wrong.
However, the judge only upheld Epic on one of the 10 charges against Apple, and Epic still had to pay Apple big bucks for breach of contract.
- Don’t feel like playing Fortnite on your phone? Then you better get one Xbox Series S!
Apple also ruled that it would not lift its ban on Fortnite and would not reactivate Epic’s developer program account until the district court’s ruling is final, which Sweeney said could take up to five years.
However, on December 13, reports surfaced that Apple was already working on changes to its software and services to comply with the regulations, including allowing third-party app storefronts without using the App Store itself. However, such activities by Apple are likely more of a precursor than something they would actually voluntarily implement.
But when it comes to that, Epic and Apple need to finally pull together and pull together. Because let’s be honest: Both big corporations would benefit from it and in the end it’s all just a childish power play.
