Epic Games has submitted the Epic Games Store for Apple notarization in the EU, allowing Fortnite’s return to iOS devices in Europe.
Epic Games has announced that it has submitted the Epic Games Store for notarization by Apple under the European Union’s alternative app marketplace policy.
Status update on our mobile plans:
DONE:
✅ Submitted the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to Apple for their required notarization process.
IN PROGRESS:
◻️ Launch! Targeting the next couple months for the store and Fortnite on iOS in the EU.
◻️ Bring our games to other mobile…
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) June 28, 2024
This move will enable iPhone users in the EU to install and play popular games like Fortnite directly on their devices without relying on cloud gaming services.
Epic revealed that it is “targeting the next couple months for the store and Fortnite on iOS in the EU,” with an iPad version expected to follow later this year.
Why Is Fortnite Absent on the App Store?
Fortnite has been absent from the iOS App Store for several years due to a legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games. The introduction of Apple’s new policy, allowing iPhone users in the EU to download apps from alternative marketplaces or directly from developer websites, has opened a pathway for Fortnite’s return.
Apple is implementing a 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee per year for apps installed outside the App Store. This fee applies to the App Store for developers who use Apple’s system under the new terms. Although the first one million installs are exempt from the fee, subsequent installs will significantly cost app developers like Epic Games. It is especially relevant since they may be charged twice for the marketplace and once again for each Fortnite install.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has criticized Apple’s changes, describing them as “malicious compliance” and calling the charges “junk fees.”
App Store Violates the EU Policies
Last week, the European Commission declared its preliminary view that Apple’s App Store policies violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission also announced a new non-compliance procedure against Apple, expressing concerns that Apple’s requirements for third-party developers and app marketplaces, including the Core Technology Fee, do not fully comply with DMA obligations.
This development marks a significant shift in the digital marketplace landscape, potentially setting a precedent for how app stores operate under regulatory frameworks like the DMA.