US video game and software developer Epic Games launched a new mobile app store today (August 16) to compete with Apple’s hegemonic App Store.
The Epic Games Store is available for download on iPhones in the EU and on Android devices worldwide. Its launch followed a lengthy legal battle between Epic and Apple, which ultimately forced Apple to allow the use of app stores other than its own on its devices.
Epic will initially distribute its own games through its store, but says it is “working to enable all developers to publish their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future.”
The return of Fortnite
The launch also means that iOS users can now access the hugely popular video game Fortnite for the first time in four years.
Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store in 2020 following a dispute with Epic. Epic objected to having to give such a large portion of its revenue generated through the store to Apple and had attempted to circumvent App Store rules by offering paid in-game content outside of the Apple ecosystem.
The developer had a similar complaint against Google regarding the Play Store and subsequently sued both companies, which ultimately forced Apple to decide to allow the use of other app stores.
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By GlobalData
Other games initially available on the Epic Games Store include Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe.
Challenging Apple’s market dominance
Thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Epic has been able to begin challenging Apple’s market dominance, meaning that for the first time, EU users will have an alternative to Apple’s App Store.
“We are grateful to the European Commission for enabling the launch of the Epic Games Store and allowing us to offer our games to iOS users in the European Union,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO and founder of Epic.
Laura Petrone, Chief Analyst at GlobalData, commented Verdict: “It seems that the tide is turning against Apple and Google’s monopoly in the app stores in Europe and the USA.”
“Epic Games is not only returning to iOS in Europe and Android worldwide, but is also available in alternative app stores due to the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act.”
Focusing on the regulatory landscape, Petrone added: “Epic Games was also able to convince judges in the US that Google was engaging in anti-competitive practices. Google’s defeat in last year’s legal battle against Epic Games was a major blow to Google and its business model in apps. Apple has been sued by the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act for the same practices and is currently negotiating with Brussels to correct these practices.”
While there is progress within the EU, the regulatory landscape in the rest of the world still allows Apple to block iOS users from accessing Fortnite and the Epic Games Store.
Nevertheless, Petrone claimed: “The legitimacy of the app store rules for Android and iOS has been significantly weakened.”
