Fortnite is officially back on the iOS App Store across multiple global territories. Epic Games announced this major move in a May 19 blog post. Furthermore, the developer declared its six-year legal dispute with Apple has finally reached the “final battle” phase. Consequently, Epic restored the game out of sheer confidence. The company believes courts will soon force Apple to offer complete transparency regarding its storefront fees.
The Legal Standoff Escalates
Apple and Epic Games have fought relentlessly since 2020. Back then, Apple removed Fortnite from its platform because Epic offered external payment options to bypass standard App Store fees. In response, Epic accused Apple of violating US antitrust regulations.
Since then, the legal landscape has shifted. Courts ordered Apple to allow third-party app stores in select regions. However, Apple created alternative ways to take a cut from third-party payment providers. Therefore, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held Apple’s fee structure in contempt.
Recently, US Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan rejected Apple’s request to stay that contempt ruling. Following this refusal, Apple acknowledged the global stakes. The tech giant stated that worldwide regulators are closely watching this case to determine acceptable commission rates outside the United States. Meanwhile, Epic Games reports building momentum across Japan, the UK, and the European Union to hold Apple accountable.
Despite the wider rollout, Fortnite remains unavailable on the Australian App Store. Epic Games claims Apple continues to enforce its third-party app fees in the region despite previous directives. As a result, the developer refuses to launch the game in Australia. Epic states it must wait for a direct court decision that forces Apple to comply with local rulings. Therefore, Australian players must wait indefinitely to download Fortnite on their iOS devices.
In-Game Fortnite Crossovers Amidst Corporate Turmoil
This App Store return coincides with a highly active period for Epic Games. Currently, Fortnite is hosting a major crossover event with Blizzard’s Overwatch. This event forms the third act of Chapter 7 Season 2. Players have until June 4 to buy skins for Overwatch characters Tracer, Genji, Mercy, and D.Va using V-Bucks.
However, Epic Games still faces intense public scrutiny. A mass round of corporate layoffs executed in March continues to linger over the company’s reputation. Nevertheless, Epic remains highly confident as it pushes toward a decisive conclusion in its long-standing war against Apple.
