The saga of the legal battle between Epic Games and Apple is continuing, but this time, there is a development outside of the courts.
Today, Epic Games announced that Apple has blocked the return of Fortnite to iOS in the United States, and that’s not all, as apparently the block also involves a due update to the application in Europe.
This has caused Fortnite to go offline on iOS, even where it was already available, and Epic mentions that it’ll be the case until Apple unblocks it.
“Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.”
Further explanations were not provided, but Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hinted yesterday that the approval of the Fortnite appm by Apple’s Review Team was taking longer than normal, and senior management might have been “weaponizing” it as “a tool to delay or obstruct competition, due process, or free speech.”
“Apple’s App Review team should be free to review all submitted apps promptly and accept or reject according to the plain language of their guidelines. App Review shouldn’t be weaponized by senior management as a tool to delay or obstruct competition, due process, or free speech.”
This is happening despite a humiliating defeat for Apple in a Californian court that had prompted Epic to announce the return of Fortnite to the iOS App Store within the week.
The developer promptly submitted the app for review, but apparently, Apple is continuing to find excuses not to comply with the wishes of regulators and to try to hinder the return of the ultra-popular battle royale game to iOS, in what feels like corporate desperation not to let developers pry open its profitable walled garden.
The battle between the two companies has been going on since 2020, and apparently we haven’t seen the last skirmish just yet. We’ll keep an eye on how the situation develops and keep you apprised.
In the meantime, Fortnite recently received a new season, fully themed after the popular Star Wars franchise, with new gameplay and plenty of skins inspired by the saga. The developers went as far as turning a meme into reality by creating a Darth Jar Jar skin.
