However, the situation remains markedly different in the United States. Epic Games reported that access to Fortnite via Apple's iPhone Operating System and through its App Store will remain unavailable worldwide until Apple lifts the block.
While Epic Games did not initially specify the reason for the continued blockage, Apple clarified that it had requested Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update without including the U.S. storefront. According to Apple, this request was made to prevent any unintended impact on Fortnite's availability in other regions. "We did not take any action to remove the live version of Fortnite from alternative distribution marketplaces," an Apple spokesperson stated.
Epic Games, the U.S.-based gaming giant backed by China's Tencent and renowned as the world's largest game studio, saw its "battle royale" format of Fortnite become a global phenomenon after its launch in 2017, attracting a massive player base.
The current situation is deeply rooted in a long-standing legal battle that commenced in 2020. Epic Games initiated the legal action, alleging that Apple's practice of charging a commission of up to 30% on in-app payments constituted a violation of U.S. antitrust regulations.
Adding another layer to the ongoing dispute, Epic Games late on Friday filed a motion in a U.S. court in California, urging a judge to hold Apple in contempt. Epic contends that Apple's continued blocking of Fortnite's return to the U.S. App Store is in direct defiance of a prior court ruling that should have mandated its re-distribution. In its court filing, Epic Games asserted that Apple's actions represent "blatant retaliation" for Epic's challenge to Apple's alleged anticompetitive behavior and for "exposing its lies to the court."
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this latest legal filing outside of its regular business hours.
It's worth noting that Apple initially banned Fortnite from its App Store in 2020. However, the game was permitted to return in the European Union last year. This reversal followed pressure from EU authorities pushing for Big Tech companies to adhere to the bloc's Digital Markets Act. In the same year, Apple also approved Epic Games' marketplace app for iPhones and iPads within Europe.
Furthermore, Epic Games recently secured a legal victory against Apple earlier this month, adding further complexity to this ongoing saga between two industry titans. The contrasting availability of Fortnite in the EU and the continued blockage in the US underscore the differing regulatory landscapes and the persistent tension between Epic Games and Apple.