After a four-year legal battle, Fortnite is set to return on iPhones.
Going Rogue on Apple's Walled Garden: Epic Games' Rebellion
The dramatic three-year standoff between Epic Games and Apple is nearing its epic conclusion. Epic is set to release its games, including the massive phenomenon Fortnite, on the third-party app marketplace AltStore instead of limiting distribution to its forthcoming Epic Games Store. This shift will delight iOS users, but it's a blow to Samsung fans as they bid farewell to Fortnite and other Epic mobile titles on the Galaxy Store.
In January, Apple took a step forward by complying with the European Union's Digital Markets Act, opening a chink in its notorious fortress to allow third-party app stores on iOS for the first time in the iPhone's 17-year history. Following this revelation, Epic promised a Fortnite comeback on iOS "through the Epic Games Store." The company announced its departure from app stores that act as "rent collectors" without offering fair competition to all developers.
According to Epic, they are abandoning Samsung's Galaxy store due to the default block on sideloading. Epic had previously sued Google, accusing the Play Store of being anti-competitive. Epic claimed in a recent post that Google had proposed an alliance with Samsung "to suppress competition in the Android app distribution market." As of now, Fortnite remains absent from the Google Play Store.
As per the latest Android Authority report, new Samsung devices now block sideloading by default with One UI 6.1.1. While this restriction can be bypassed through settings, most users might find themselves at a loss as to when or where to make the required changes.
In a blog post this week, Epic hinted at its game marketplace making its entry on Android worldwide and iOS in the European Union, albeit no timeline was provided. The company confirmed that Fortnite and its other mobile games would appear on third-party iOS app stores, specifically AltoStore, making them available to iPhone users in the EU. Two more third-party app stores will host the games soon, Epic said.
Back in March, Apple suspended Epic's developer account, criticizing the company's lack of trustworthiness after breaching contractual agreements. Epic made the letter public, with CEO Tim Sweeney stating that they had lost their access due to his anti-Apple tweets. Apple later clarified the issue was rooted in Epic's "egregious violation of contractual obligations." Two days later, Apple reinstated Epic's developer account in the EU.
"We've been tirelessly advocating for the rights of stores to exist and compete without hindrance on iOS and Android. Progress is gaining ground worldwide, in the form of Europe's DMA, similar laws in the UK and Japan, regulatory probes everywhere, and victory in the Epic v Google lawsuit in the US.
Epic markets itself as a better option for developers, charging a mere 12% for all payments on the platform. The company argues that sideloaded game shops would be cost-free as they would avoid third-party app store fees. Impressively, the usual leader in PC gaming marketplaces, Valve's Steam platform, typically collects a steep 30% cut from game revenues.
With the EU set to be the first to welcome the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android later this year, the playground will grow increasingly crowded. The Epic Games Store's arrival on iOS in the UK is slated for the second half of 2025.
As a quick reminder, gamers can experience Fortnite on iPhone or Android without installing the app. If your internet speeds are up to the task, streaming the game via services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Amazon Luna may be a viable option for you.
So, is Epic and Boss Sweeney right to be upset? Absolutely, as they face the challenge of confronting the infamously high walls of both Android and iOS. However, this tempestuous tug-of-war leaves consumers most affected. Newcomers are left bewildered as they struggle to determine where to go to play Fortnite or any other Epic mobile game, until Epic finally establishes its app store on both eco-systems.
- The regulatory changes in the European Union's Digital Markets Act have paved the way for third-party app stores like AltStore to host games such as Fortnite on iOS devices.
- Epic Games has abandoned Samsung's Galaxy Store due to the default block on sideloading, which could potentially allow game shops to operate without third-party app store fees.
- In a confirmation, Epic Games has announced that Fortnite and its other mobile games will soon be available on third-party iOS app stores, specifically AltoStore, making them accessible to iPhone users in the EU.
- In a strategic move, Epic Games would be introducing its game marketplace on Android worldwide and iOS in the European Union, aiming to challenge the dominant position of app stores like Samsung Galaxy Store and Google Play Store, while offering developers a more favorable 12% fee compared to the usual 30% charged by Valve's Steam platform.
