- Epic Games, along with other companies like Spotify, have publicly criticized Apple’s fees and policies.
- Despite the challenges, Epic is forging ahead with their plans to launch their store on Apple’s platform.
Fortnite and the Epic Games Store have been submitted to Apple for notarization, with a scheduled launch in the EU in the coming months.
Back in March, Epic announced their intention to bring the Epic Games Store to mobile, resulting in a dispute with Apple that led to the revocation of their iOS developer account. The two companies are at odds over Apple’s new regulations and Epic’s adherence to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Despite the setbacks, Epic is now navigating Apple’s requirements to bring their App Store to iOS, demonstrating their commitment to achieving their goal without further complaints.
Status update on our mobile plans:
DONE:
✅ Submitted the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to Apple for their required notarization process.
IN PROGRESS:
◻️ Launch! Targeting the next couple months for the store and Fortnite on iOS in the EU.
◻️ Bring our games to other mobile…
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) June 28, 2024
Overcoming the Challenges
In response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple has adjusted its App Store rules to permit alternative stores on iPhones, resulting in the emergence of third-party iOS app stores like Mobivention and AltStore PAL.
While Epic’s tweet suggests they may not fully agree with Apple’s requirements, the decision to move forward with their store ultimately benefits their player base.
Apple’s policies include notarization and human review for apps, with an annual Core Technology Fee of 50 euro cents per install after surpassing one million downloads. This fee applies to individual apps and app marketplaces such as the Epic Games Store.
Epic and other companies, like Spotify, have raised concerns about Apple’s fees and policies, arguing that they violate the DMA. The European Commission’s preliminary ruling found that Apple’s anti-steering policies breach the DMA, prompting an investigation into the Core Technology Fee and other rules related to alternative app marketplaces.
