Fortnite Returns to App Store After 5-Year Absence

Fortnite Back on the App Store After Five Years

The popular battle royale game, Fortnite, has returned to the U.S. App Store. This marks the end of a five-year absence following a protracted legal dispute between game developer Epic Games and Apple.

Fortnite is also available on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU. The game will soon appear in App Store searches, according to an Epic Games post on X (formerly Twitter).

Background of the Dispute

Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store in 2020. This occurred after Epic Games implemented a direct payment option for in-app purchases, bypassing Apple's system and offering a 20% discount. Epic Games then sued Apple, alleging anticompetitive practices.

A judge ruled in favor of Epic Games, stating that Apple was in "willful violation" of rules prohibiting anticompetitive pricing. Last month, the judge ordered Apple to allow developers to collect payments outside the App Store without incurring Apple's fees.

Fortnite's Return

Following the ruling, Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite to the App Store. However, the game faced an approval delay. Epic Games accused Apple of blocking the game's release in the U.S. and EU.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers pressured Apple to approve Fortnite's resubmission or provide a legal justification for blocking it. This likely influenced Apple's decision to reinstate the game.

Fortnite's return to the App Store signifies a major development in the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple. It also has significant implications for other app developers and the future of in-app purchases.