Epic Games has made a significant move in its ongoing battle with Apple, launching its own app store for iPhones in the European Union. This development marks the return of Fortnite to iOS devices after a four-year absence, albeit with some important caveats.
A New Era for App Distribution on iOS
The Epic Games Store is now available for iPhone users in the EU, offering a alternative to Apple's official App Store. This launch is made possible by the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that Apple allow third-party app stores on its platform within the region.
Key points of the launch include:
- Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys are now available for download
- The store is only accessible to EU users running iOS 17.4 or later
- Epic Games aims to bring more third-party titles to the platform by December
- The company is targeting 100 million new mobile installations by year-end
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| Epic Games has launched its store for iPhones in the EU, bringing popular games like Fortnite back to iOS |
Challenges and Controversies
While this marks a victory for Epic Games, the path forward is not without obstacles:
- Apple's New Fees: Apple has introduced a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per year for each app install after the first million, applicable to both third-party stores and the App Store.
- Developer Hesitation: Many top mobile developers are reportedly reluctant to list their apps on third-party iOS stores due to these fees.
- Installation Hurdles: Users may face multiple warnings and a potentially complex process when attempting to install third-party app stores.
The Bigger Picture
This launch is part of Epic Games' broader strategy to challenge what it sees as anticompetitive practices in the mobile app ecosystem. CEO Tim Sweeney expressed gratitude for the EU's DMA, stating, We're really excited and grateful for the European DMA law.
The company is also expanding its efforts globally:
- The Epic Games Store is now available for Android users worldwide
- Epic plans to bring its games to other third-party stores in the future
- The company aims to offer its developer-friendly policies, including an 88% revenue share and free games for players, on mobile platforms
What This Means for Users and Developers
For EU iPhone users, this development offers more choice in how they access popular games like Fortnite. However, the limited regional availability and potential installation complexities may limit initial adoption.
Developers now have a new platform to consider for iOS distribution, but must weigh the benefits against Apple's new fee structure and the current limitations of third-party stores.
As this situation continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Apple responds and whether similar changes will be implemented in other regions. The mobile app landscape is undoubtedly entering a new, more competitive era, with significant implications for users, developers, and platform holders alike.