After a hiatus of four years, Fortnite’s iOS version is set to make a comeback on iPhones in the European Union, thanks to the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Despite being seven years since its initial release, Fortnite has maintained its immense popularity, boasting a player base of 500-650 million individuals globally, with nearly one-eighth of Earth’s population having experienced the game at least once.
Originally launched for PC, Fortnite quickly expanded its reach to consoles and mobile devices, ensuring accessibility for players across various platforms.
However, a legal dispute erupted in 2020 between Apple and Epic Games regarding the game’s microtransactions. This conflict resulted in Apple removing Fortnite from the App Store, limiting iOS users to access the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Remember Fortnite on iOS?
How bout we bring that back.
Later this year Fortnite will return in Europe on iOS through the @EpicGames Store.
(shoutout DMA – an important new law in the EU making this possible). @Apple, the world is watching. pic.twitter.com/VdHWTe8i1c— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) January 25, 2024
The turning point appears to be the intervention of the European Union with the passage of Regulation (EU) 2022/1925, commonly known as the Digital Markets Act, on September 14, 2022. The regulation, effective from November 1, 2022, aims to mitigate the influence of “gatekeepers” – major tech companies like Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple – in the EU’s digital market.
The DMA mandates these companies to refrain from merging data from different services, avoid self-preferential promotion, and ensure portability and interoperability.
For Fortnite enthusiasts eagerly awaiting its return on iOS, the DMA plays a crucial role. Apple is unable to block Fortnite from iOS as it falls under the operating systems category of the DMA’s Core Platform Services.
The official Fortnite Twitter account announced this development, confirming the game’s impending availability on iPhones in Europe.
Although the exact release date is yet to be confirmed, the deadline for compliance with the DMA for the mentioned companies is March 6, 2024. Given Apple’s historical resistance to the regulation, it is likely they will delay implementation until the last moment.
Fortnite could potentially become accessible on iOS devices from March 6 onwards or possibly at a later date. Stay tuned to ESTNN for further updates on the anticipated return of Fortnite to iOS.
