Since 2020, when Epic Games sued Apple for alleged antitrust violations, both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite have been absent from iOS devices. While Epic Games did not emerge victorious in the overall antitrust case, they did win a small victory when the U.S. courts ruled that Apple could no longer prevent developers from promoting alternative web stores to users on iOS. This ruling opened up the possibility of lower prices for consumers outside of the app store.
In addition to their legal battle with Apple, Epic Games also sued Google and won an antitrust case in a lower court. However, this decision is currently going through the appeals process. Meanwhile, the European Union has passed the Digital Markets Act, which aims to hold “gatekeeper” platforms accountable to fairness rules when it comes to allowing third-party web stores or app stores for selling games that are also available on major platforms.
The UK has also implemented its own competition law, which is what has sparked Epic Games’ excitement. This law will ensure fair competition in the app store market and allow for the return of the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to iOS in the UK.
This announcement from Epic Games is not only great news for gamers in the UK but also reflects a broader shift in the app store landscape. With increased scrutiny on major platforms like Apple and Google, developers are gaining more opportunities to provide alternative options to consumers. The new competition laws in the UK and Europe are just the beginning, and we can expect further changes and developments in this space in the coming years.
Overall, this move by Epic Games highlights their commitment to providing players with choice and fair competition in the gaming industry. By bringing the Epic Games Store and Fortnite back to iOS in the UK, they are giving gamers the opportunity to engage with their favorite content in a way that suits them best. This is an exciting time for both Epic Games and gamers alike, and it will be interesting to see how the app store landscape continues to evolve in the future.
