It's the end of a long battle between Epic Games and Apple: Fortnite will finally be available on iPhone. After being banned from the Apple App Store, Epic Games will be able to launch its own App Store on iPhone thanks to the new European DMA regulations.
This is an unexpected turnaround in the bubbling relationship between Apple and Epic Games (the publisher of Fortnite): the apple brand has finally decided to reintegrate Epic Games into its developer program, thus allowing it to launch its own App Store on iPhone in Europe.
As a reminder, Epic Games had planned to take advantage of the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe, which aims to regulate the practices of large online platforms, to launch its own App Store on iPhone.
But, Apple had deleted Epic Games' developer account, arguing that the company was not a reliable working partner. This decision sparked strong criticism, notably from the European Commission, which announced that it would closely monitor the actions of Apple and other tech giants regarding their integration of the new European regulations.
Apple backtracks
Faced with increasing pressure, Apple finally backed down, the American company authorizes Epic Games to re-sign the developer agreement and join the Apple Developer Program. This decision follows conversations between the two companies, during which Epic Games reportedly committed to respecting Apple's rules, including those related to the DMA.
NEW: Apple reverses course, unbanning Epic: “Following conversations with Epic, they have committed to follow the rules, including our DMA policies. As a result, Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program.” https://t.co/9Yr0G07vWt
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) March 8, 2024
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Mark Gurman, one of the best-known Apple analysts, confirmed the news, stating: “Apple is reversing its ban on Epic: Following conversations with Epic, they are committed to following the rules, including our DMA policies. As a result, Epic Sweden AB was allowed to re-sign the Developer Agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program. “.
Apple had until now maintained a hard line against Epic Games. The decision to allow Epic Games to join the Developer Program paves the way for the launch of the Epic Games App Store on iPhone in Europe. And so… to the return of Fortnite on iPhone.
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