Fortnite Returns to App Store - After 5 Year Ban!

Fortnite's Return to the U.S. App Store

The widely played battle royale title, Fortnite, has been reinstated to the U.S. App Store. This development occurs after a prolonged legal battle between its creator, Epic Games, and Apple.

Availability in Multiple Regions

As of Tuesday, Fortnite is also accessible through the Epic Games Store and AltStore within the European Union. Epic Games announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the game will soon appear in App Store search results.

The Origin of the Dispute

Apple initially removed Fortnite from its App Store in 2020. This action followed Epic Games’ introduction of a direct payment option, allowing players to purchase in-game items using Epic’s own virtual currency.

A 20% discount was offered on purchases made through this alternative system, prompting Epic Games to subsequently file a lawsuit against Apple.

Legal Ruling in Epic's Favor

The court sided with Epic Games, determining that Apple had engaged in a “willful violation” of regulations prohibiting anti-competitive pricing practices.

Last month, the presiding judge mandated that Apple permit developers to process payments outside of the App Store ecosystem and refrain from imposing associated fees.

Resubmission and Initial Delays

Following the court’s decision, Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite for approval on the App Store. However, the resubmission encountered a delay.

Epic accused Apple of intentionally obstructing the game’s launch in both the U.S. and EU markets.

Judicial Intervention

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued a filing earlier this week. She directed Apple to either approve Epic’s submission or demonstrate a legitimate legal justification for its continued blockage.

This intervention likely influenced Apple’s decision to allow Fortnite back onto the App Store.

Incentivized Direct Purchases

The newly available version of Fortnite on the App Store features a 20% cash back incentive for players who purchase in-game items directly from Epic Games, bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase system.

This provides a financial benefit to users who choose to transact directly with the game developer.