Epic Games has announced its intention to launch the Epic Games Store and the popular battle royale title Fortnite on iOS devices within the European Union later this year. This follows Apple’s recent policy adjustments mandated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which compels the tech giant to open up its iOS ecosystem to third-party app stores.
The announcement marks a significant shift for both Epic and Apple. Fortnite was removed from the App Store in 2020 after Epic implemented an unauthorized in-app payment system, sparking a protracted legal battle that concluded last week with a mixed verdict.
Despite the ongoing legal tussle, Epic’s decision to return to the iOS market under the DMA’s new framework demonstrates the potential of the European market and the company’s commitment to its alternative app marketplace vision.
“We’ll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law,” Epic stated in a post on X, highlighting their ongoing legal pursuits while acknowledging the DMA’s immediate impact on their iOS strategy. The company remains tight-lipped on the specifics of the launch, emphasizing that “details will be shared as we figure out the regulatory timeline.”
This cautious approach is understandable considering Apple’s continued oversight of third-party app stores under the DMA. Potential regulatory hurdles could arise, but Epic’s lower revenue cut model compared to Apple’s App Store holds significant appeal for developers, potentially fueling traction within the European market.
Epic’s move is just the first domino to fall. Following their announcement, other alternative app store providers like AltStore have also expressed their plans to enter the European iOS market. This influx of competition promises a more diverse and potentially more developer-friendly app ecosystem for European users.
The implications of this shift are far-reaching. Developers may gain greater freedom and potentially fairer revenue-sharing models, while users could benefit from increased choice and potentially lower prices. The DMA’s impact is demonstrably reshaping the iOS landscape, opening doors for previously unthinkable possibilities.
