Gather ’round, everyone, because it’s time to bust out the floss dance! Prepare to be amazed as Fortnite stages a triumphant return to mobile devices across Europe, thanks to Epic Games unveiling its very own app store for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. However, there’s a small hitch – for all you UK folks, the wait for this epic rollout will extend into next year.
This thrilling development means that Fortnite and other beloved games like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys will now be at your fingertips through the Epic Games Store, one of the very first third-party app stores accessible on the iPhone. It’s a bold and daring move that has pitted Epic Games directly against the tech titans of Apple and Google, sending ripples through the digital marketplace.
The history behind Fortnite’s grand return is nothing short of a wild rollercoaster ride. Back in 2020, Fortnite was yanked from both the Apple and Google app stores due to a spat over developer commission fees, leading to a series of fierce legal battles for Epic Games. However, thanks to new competition laws in the EU, such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple has been obliged to allow folks in Europe to download iPhone apps from alternative, non-Apple operated stores. It’s nothing short of a game-changer – pun very much intended.
Epic Games has been no shrinking violet when it comes to challenging the monopolistic control of the app marketplace. They haven’t minced words in criticizing Apple and Google for their “anti-competitive” tactics and the barriers they’ve erected against alternative app store platforms. Epic CEO, Tim Sweeney, has been leading the charge, asserting that the winds of change are finally blowing in favor of healthy competition. He hails this move by the European Commission as a resounding victory for developers and consumers alike.
Yet, the struggle is far from over. Epic Games continues to slug it out in a bid to abolish the “anti-competitive terms” imposed by Apple and Google, all in the pursuit of building a more equitable store for all. In a fiery blog post, Epic Games has made it clear that they are resolute in their determination to pursue litigation and collaborate with regulators to level the playing field in the app marketplace.
As part of this staggering launch, Epic Games has also declared that their games will be accessible through other third-party app stores on iOS in the EU, including AltStore. As of yet, Google has refrained from comment, and Apple has been reached out to for a response.
So, all you fervent European Fortnite fans – and Android users the world over – get yourselves geared up to dive back into the captivating world of Fortnite right on your cell phones! The battle royale is back, and it’s all systems go in the app store arena! Keep your eyes peeled for further developments, and let’s all hope that this heralds the dawn of a thrilling new era for app marketplace competition.
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