Amidst regulatory pressure from European authorities, Apple has reversed its stance in the ongoing dispute with Epic Games, enabling Epic to introduce its game store on Apple’s iOS devices across Europe.
The change comes after Apple initially attempted to prevent Epic from launching its store and reinstating Fortnite on the App Store. Fortnite was previously removed in 2020 when Epic circumvented Apple’s in-app payment guidelines as a form of protest.
This shift in Apple’s position aligns with the European Union’s enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates major tech entities to diversify app distribution on iOS and Android devices. Thierry Breton, the EU’s industry commissioner, acknowledged Apple’s revised approach following the EU directive, highlighting the DMA’s immediate impact.
Despite Epic’s strategic challenge to Apple’s in-app purchase commission structure, which led to a legal conflict citing antitrust concerns in the U.S., Epic faced defeat. Nonetheless, the recent developments represent a partial victory for Epic in Europe, though its broader objectives with Apple remain unfulfilled.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has voiced concerns over Apple’s DMA compliance strategy, which still potentially allows for the exclusion of third-party app marketplaces under specific conditions. Meanwhile, Fortnite continues to be absent from the U.S. App Store.
Apple, facing potential shifts in its App Store model and projecting a decrease in iPhone sales, reinstated Epic Games’ developer account, a crucial step for app distribution on iOS. Two days after the initial blockade against Epic’s European store launch, this reinstatement signifies Epic’s continuation with its plans to reintroduce the Epic Games Store and Fortnite in Europe.
Apple justified the account termination earlier in the week by questioning Epic’s adherence to the new DMA-compliant guidelines. However, following discussions, Apple acknowledged Epic’s commitment to the rules, reinstating Epic Sweden AB into the Apple Developer Program.
Epic Games lauded this development as a testament to the European Commission’s readiness to enforce the DMA and ensure compliance among dominant market players, underscoring a significant moment for developers within the EU’s digital marketplace landscape.
