Apple has just announced that the new obligations that fell on the iPhone App Store will also apply to iPads. And it’s Fortnite that will take advantage of this to make its comeback.
The ultra-popular video game Fortnite has not been available on the Apple environment for several years, and the then attempt by the Epic Games studio to offer payment methods beyond the App Store. At the time, Apple had all the power to reject an application that did not wish to pay the 30% commission on payments made in apps. This is no longer the case since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) became effective in Europe.
Apple has thus begun to comply with European laws since iOS 17.4, which it will also do for iPadOS. And Epic Games hasn’t missed any of these fundamental changes!
iOS and iPadOS will have to leave room for alternatives
Fortnite lovers will soon be able to have fun again on their iPhone or iPad. Because with the DMA, which forces Apple to open its devices to alternative application stores, certain apps that were rejected then can return. And first and foremost, Fortnite!
Epic Games had in fact explained in recent months that it was going to make its return to iPhones this year on the Epic Games Store (its own application store), iOS being considered a “digital gatekeeper” by the European Union, the equivalent of a monopoly preventing the development of alternatives. And iPadOS has just acquired the same status with the European Commission, which will require it to change its model in the next six months and open up to other application stores.
An opportunity for Europeans, and Europeans only
Fortnite indicated on X (formerly Twitter) that in both cases it would create its own interface, on which iPhone and iPad users will be able to download their favorite video game again. It should obviously be noted that, as Apple complies with the new European rules, only European citizens will be able to benefit from this opportunity.
It remains to be seen whether Apple will not put obstacles in the way of the video game studio, with which it has had trouble for a long time in court. Spotify, to name just another of Apple’s harsh critics, last week publicly denounced the Cupertino company, which would still do everything possible to continue to levy a tithe on payments, even when they are made outside from the App Store.
Source : Wccftech
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