Epic Games Store Makes Its Way to the iPhone in the EU: A New Era for App Store Competition
3 min read
The tech world was abuzz with excitement as Epic Games, the renowned video game developer and publisher, announced its plans to launch the Epic Games Store on the iPhone in the European Union (EU). This groundbreaking move comes after Apple, in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), opened up iOS to third-party app stores. Fortnite, Epic’s popular battle royale game, will also make a comeback on the platform alongside the store.
Epic’s announcement was met with anticipation, as the company has long expressed its desire to bring its game store to the iPhone. The store, which is currently available for Windows and macOS, offers developers a smaller cut of fees compared to Apple’s App Store. This could potentially make it an attractive option for developers seeking to bypass Apple’s strict app store policies.
The EU’s DMA, which aims to promote fair competition in the digital market, has been a topic of controversy for tech giants like Apple. Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, famously referred to Apple’s rules as “hot garbage,” but the company’s stance seems to have softened now that it has an opportunity to enter the iOS market.
Epic’s plans for the store’s launch are still in the works. The company has stated that it will become available “later this year,” and Fortnite will be accessible through it. However, both the store and the game will only be available in parts of Europe that fall under the DMA’s jurisdiction. Epic encourages its followers to “stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline.”
Fortnite, which was banned from the App Store in 2020 for implementing third-party in-app payments, has been absent from the iPhone for over three years. Epic subsequently sued Apple over the matter in a high-profile case that recently concluded, with Apple emerging as the victor. Despite this setback, Epic remains determined to bring its game back to the platform.
Apple’s oversight of third-party app stores means that Epic could potentially face challenges during the launch. However, the company’s persistence and the growing demand for alternative app stores could pave the way for a more competitive app market.
The EU’s DMA is expected to lead to a wave of third-party app store announcements for iOS. Epic is one of the first to make its intentions known, but AltStore, another alternative app store, has also announced plans to launch. This could mark the beginning of a new era for app store competition on iOS.
The tech community is eagerly awaiting the arrival of these alternative app stores. Developers, in particular, are hopeful that they will have more freedom to distribute their apps and set their own pricing structures. Consumers, on the other hand, could benefit from a wider selection of apps and potentially lower prices.
In conclusion, Epic Games’ announcement of its plans to launch the Epic Games Store on the iPhone in the EU is a significant development in the tech industry. This move comes as a result of the EU’s DMA, which aims to promote fair competition in the digital market. The launch of the store and the return of Fortnite to the platform could mark the beginning of a more competitive app market on iOS. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
