Epic Games: own app marketplace submitted to Apple ... and "Fortnite"
After worldwide legal disputes and EU regulation, the gaming giant wants to show off with its iOS app marketplace. "Fortnite" was also submitted again.
Fortnite von Epic Games.
(Image: Ascannio/Shutterstock.com)
It took a little longer: the games company Epic Games has now officially announced that it will be opening its own "Alternative App Marketplace" (AAM) for the iPhone - after several announcements. The company submitted a corresponding application to Apple over the weekend on the short message service X. Under the heading "Status update for our mobile plans", it says: "DONE: Epic Games Store and 'Fortnite' submitted to Apple to go through the required notarization process."
A first step
The next step is now to launch the offer. "We are targeting the next few months for the store and 'Fortnite' on iOS in the EU," Epic Games continued. There are also plans to "bring our games to other mobile app stores". Epic Games did not disclose which of these would be specifically - the selection on iOS is still very limited. However, they want to "talk to all stores that have great conditions for all developers". This explicitly does not mean Apple, with whom the company has been fighting in court for years.
It was not initially clear from Epic's announcement whether "Fortnite" will also be distributed as a single download via sideloading. However, as both the Epic Games Store and "Fortnite" itself will be submitted to Apple, this is quite possible. Apple has set very high hurdles for sideloading, which should actually be overcome by a large app like the one from Epic Games. However, the problem remains that "Fortnite" has not been available on the iPhone for years and the corresponding sales that Apple actually requires have not been made directly. Apparently, Epic is also hoping for the EU, which has already announced that it will take action against Apple's implementation of the requirements of the Digital Market Act (DMA).
Dispute over developer account
It is unclear why Epic Games took a comparatively long time to submit its AAM and "Fortnite" to Apple. However, there had been trouble over the company's Apple developer license meanwhile. In spring, Apple briefly revoked the company's access in Sweden, the branch that Epic Games wants to use for its EU offering on the iPhone. The reason was that Epic Games was not trusted to adhere to the guidelines. However, Apple later relented – even after negative reporting - and returned the developer account to the company.
The dispute between Epic and Apple has been dragging on since 2020, when Epic Games stopped distributing its apps on Apple platforms and lawsuits were filed against Apple, including counterclaims. While Epic Games tried to enforce its own in-app payment methods, Apple saw violations of its developer guidelines. EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who is known as a critic of Apple, emphasized when the DMA was introduced that "Fortnite" could now return to the iPhone.
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(bsc)