Fortnite's CEO, Tim Sweeney, celebrates the game's return to the app store following a 5-year hiatus: "'Thank you to those who initially supported Apple but eventually shifted allegiances to join the successful camp.'"
In a landmark resolution, tech giants Apple and Epic Games have reached an agreement following a lengthy legal battle over in-app payment systems in mobile gaming. The dispute, which began in August 2020, centered on Fortnite's attempt to bypass Apple's in-app payment system and the subsequent removal of the game from the App Store.
Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, accused Apple of maintaining a monopoly within the app store. Tim Sweeney, Epic's CEO, expressed his gratitude to those who supported the company's stance in the dispute, framing it as a fight for developer rights.
Apple has thus far remained silent on the matter. However, their silence is an acknowledgment of the court order issued by Judge Yvonne Rogers Gonzalez, which found Apple guilty of an "obvious cover-up." The judge's ruling left no room for ambiguity, ordering Apple to lift the ban on Fortnite and refrain from impeding competition.
As a result of the settlement, Fortnite will soon be reintroduced to iOS devices in the EU, marking a significant shift in the mobile app ecosystem. The agreement allows Epic Games to include links to alternative payment methods and maintain some level of commission for Apple on purchases. Both parties have agreed to operational guidelines moving forward, although the financial details of the settlement remain confidential.
A federal judge had previously pressured Apple to reconsider Fortnite's submission to the App Store or risk returning to court. However, the settlement now removes the need for further legal action on this matter.
This resolution marks a potential turning point in the world of mobile gaming, potentially paving the way for more payment options in apps and influencing regulatory approaches globally.
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Rich Stanton, a games journalist with 15 years' experience, provides insights on this development. His work has appeared in Edge magazine, Ars Technica, Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, Gamespot, the Guardian, IGN, the New Statesman, Polygon, and Vice, among others. He is the author of "A Brief History of Video Games" and currently serves as a writer for PC Gamer.
- Despite a lengthy legal battle over in-app payment systems, tech giants Apple and Epic Games have reached an agreement, allowing Fortnite to be reintroduced to iOS devices in the EU.
- Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, will now be able to include links to alternative payment methods, enabling users to avoid Apple's in-app payment system.
- The settlement between Apple and Epic Games has the potential to influence regulatory approaches globally, paving the way for more payment options in mobile games and the app industry.
- The agreement allowed Epic Games to maintain some level of commission for Apple on purchases, reflecting a compromise between the two companies in their fight for developer rights.
- Tim Sweeney, Epic's CEO, expressed gratitude to those who supported the company's stance, framing the dispute as a significant win for the mobile gaming industry and the finance sector, as well as a triumph for business competition and technological innovations.
