Time indeed flies. It might feel like yesterday when Apple controversially removed the mobile sensation Fortnite from its App Store, but in reality, that event occurred five years ago. Now, the expulsion, which ignited a fiery legal battle between the two tech behemoths, has finally reached its conclusion.
Last night, the immensely popular battle royale game from Epic Games made its triumphant return to the US App Store. Prior to this, Apple had seemingly disregarded the developer’s requests for reinstatement, likely hoping for a successful appeal of the court’s rulings. However, that was not to be. A judge reportedly demanded an explanation from the corporation, leading to a shift from apparent resistance to eventual approval.
To recap, Fortnite was pulled from the App Store on August 13, 2020. The catalyst for this removal was Epic Games’ implementation of a direct in-app purchase system, bypassing Apple Pay and Google Pay. This move was intended to circumvent the mandatory 30% commission that Apple levies on in-app transactions. This action initiated a protracted legal dispute, which ultimately resulted in a significant setback for Apple. The court rulings prohibited Apple from preventing developers from informing users about alternative payment methods and from charging fees for transactions occurring outside of its platform.
After a lengthy and closely watched saga, iPhone and iPad users in the US can once again download and play the global phenomenon that is Fortnite. This marks a significant development in the ongoing discussions surrounding app store policies and the power dynamics between platform holders and developers.