Fortnite Makes a Thrilling Comeback to the US App Store After 5-Year Hiatus!

Fortnite is back on the U.S. App Store after a long legal battle between Epic Games and Apple. It’s also available on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in Europe. Epic announced that it will be easy to find in App Store searches soon.

Apple removed Fortnite in 2020 when Epic introduced an option for players to buy in-game items at a 20% discount using its own payment system. This move led to a lawsuit from Epic, claiming Apple’s policies were unfair.

A judge ruled in favor of Epic, stating that Apple violated antitrust rules by enforcing its payment system. Recently, the same judge mandated that Apple must allow developers to collect payments outside the App Store without imposing fees. This was a game changer for many developers.

After the ruling, Epic tried to resubmit Fortnite to the App Store but faced delays. Epic accused Apple of intentionally stalling the approval process. A recent filing by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers hinted that Apple had to either approve Fortnite or justify blocking it, which put more pressure on the tech giant.

The newly released version of Fortnite on the App Store gives players 20% cashback on purchases made directly with Epic, instead of going through Apple’s payment system. This is a significant change that may attract more players and shift buying habits.

This battle between Epic and Apple highlights a larger issue in the tech industry about payment systems and app store policies. As many companies push for fewer restrictions, this case serves as an important example for future regulatory discussions. In fact, a recent survey found that 62% of app developers feel that app store fees are too high and stifle innovation.

As Fortnite resumes its place on the App Store, players can look forward to a more flexible purchasing experience. This situation not only impacts Fortnite but could reshape how games and apps operate in the future.

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