Fortnite has returned to Apple’s US app store after a nearly five-year absence, marking a significant victory for Epic Games in its long-running legal battle with the technology giant.
The wait is over for Fortnite fans in the United States. The popular video game has returned to Apple’s app store after being taken off nearly five years ago due to a dispute over fees and commission.
Fortnite is a battle royale game developed by Epic Games.
Released in 2017, it has become one of the most popular games globally, with over 250 million players across the globe.
The game's unique blend of exploration, scavenging, and combat mechanics set it apart from other battle royale games.
Fortnite's success can be attributed to its accessible gameplay, colorful visuals, and frequent updates with new content.
The game has also become a cultural phenomenon, with its dances, emotes, and outfits becoming a staple in popular culture.
In August 2020, Epic Games had its title removed from the US app store for violating Apple’s policies by launching its own in-app payment system. This move bypassed Apple’s 30% commission on all in-app purchases, sparking a legal battle between the two parties.
Epic Games claimed that Apple’s rules were unfair and accused the technology giant of running the app store as a monopoly. The company has been locked in a years-long legal tussle with Apple, but it appears to have finally emerged victorious.
A Shift in Platform Gatekeeping
The return of Fortnite to the US app store is being seen as a significant victory for Epic Games and a major shift in the balance of power between creators, publishers, and platform holders. According to Joost van Dreunen, a games business professor at NYU Stern, ‘This is a clear win for Epic Games. Epic has effectively forced open a door that Apple and others worked very hard to keep shut.‘
The move signals a change in the way platforms approach distribution models, with creators and publishers now having more leverage to challenge entrenched systems. This shift could have far-reaching implications for the gaming industry as a whole.
The gaming industry has undergone significant transformations since its inception in the 1970s.
From simple text-based games to complex, immersive virtual worlds, advancements in technology have driven innovation and growth.
“The gaming industry is a rapidly evolving field that requires constant innovation.”
The rise of console gaming in the 1980s and 1990s was followed by the emergence of PC gaming and mobile gaming.
Today, the industry is valued at over $190 billion, with esports and online gaming becoming increasingly popular.
Key statistics include a global player base of 2.7 billion and an average gamer age of 35-44 years old.
A Brief History of Fortnite’s App Store Battles
Last January, Fortnite returned to the EU app store after a four-year absence, thanks in part to a law designed to increase competition. Google also lifted its ban on Fortnite downloads last year, following a similar path.
Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world, with around 400 million registered players. Its online battle royale mode is particularly beloved, where up to 100 players compete to be the last one standing. With its return to the US app store, Fortnite fans can once again download and play the game on their devices.
