Apple and Epic Games’ relationship has been stormy. Just when you think there is ease, new problems spring up. Earlier today, the Fortnite maker announced that Apple has blocked their submission, which ultimately prevents them from releasing the game in the US App Store.
“Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union,” read the message shared on social media today. “Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it”.
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For context, the Apple vs Epic Games saga goes back to 2020 when the Fortnite publisher dragged Apple to court for taking 30% of all in-app purchases and clamping down on alternative payment processors outside the Apple ecosystem.
Epic tried to bypass the 30% fee back in 2020 by adding a new direct payment option in Fortnite. Apple responded by removing the game from the App Store and terminating Epic’s developer account.
Following the ensuing legal battle, Apple was ordered in 2021 to allow developers who want to publish on iOS to include external payment options in their apps. While Apple obeyed the court order, it added a 27% commission on purchases made through in-app web links. Furthermore, they added a security risk warning, which may serve as a deterrent to those who may want to use the option.
This May, Apple was asked by a US judge to stop forcing the 27% commission and remove the prompt, adding that it violated the 2021 injunction. VP Alex Roman was also said to have outrightly “lied under oath”. That means the company may be facing criminal contempt charges.
Epic Games will likely take Apple to court again
The US judge’s ruling earlier this month was the motivation behind Epic Games’ announcement that it was bringing Fortnite to the iOS App Store. With the announcement came the reveal that the Epic Rewards plan will now offer players 20% rewards if they make purchases in Fortnite, Fall Guys, or Rocket League directly through Epic instead of through a platform’s payment system.
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The first sign of trouble happened on Wednesday this week, when Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney mentioned to a concerned fan that Apple was taking too long to approve the game’s release. “No news from Apple yet. They’ve had it since last Friday,” Sweeney replied the fan.
Epic’s CEO provided more context on social media, saying, “Our release planning relies on platforms supporting app developers like us releasing apps. There is no way a rapidly evolving multi-platform game like Fortnite can operate if platforms use their power or processes to obstruct.”
Apple operates a closed ecosystem, which gives it total control over revenue, a business model they are fighting hard to protect. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Epic Games returns to court on this matter, further extending the tense relationship between both companies.
