Popular video game Fortnite is now available on Apple’s app store in the US after being taken off the platform nearly five years ago.
The move triggered a legal battle brought by Fortnite developer Epic Games, which called the fee unfair and accused Apple of running the app store as a monopoly.
In a post on X, Fortnite said it was now available on the US app store, as well as the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the European Union.
Last January, the game returned to the EU app store after a four year absence, spurred by a law designed to increase competition.
Google, which also removed Fortnite from its app store in 2020 over its payment rules, lifted its ban on downloads last year.
After being removed from the Apple app store almost five years ago, the well-known video game Fortnite is now accessible in the US.
In August 2020, the title was taken down for introducing its own in-app payment system in violation of Apple’s rules.
The tech behemoth charges a 30 percent commission on all in-app purchases, which this would have avoided.
Due to the action, Fortnite developer Epic Games filed a lawsuit, claiming that Apple was operating the app store like a monopoly and that the fee was unjust.
Fortnite announced in a post on X that it was now accessible on the US app store, the Epic Games Store, and AltStore in the EU.
“It will show up on Search soon!” the post added.
An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Apple. The company claims that its policies safeguard users’ security.
Epic Games, which has been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Apple, is viewing Wednesday’s development as a victory.
“This is an obvious victory for Epic Games. Joost van Dreunen, a professor of games business at NYU Stern, stated that Epic has successfully opened a door that Apple and others have been working very hard to keep closed.
Although platform gatekeeping has long been avoided by the industry, this moment marks a change in the balance. “Now, publishers and creators will have greater power to question long-standing distribution models,” he continued.
After an update was reportedly blocked by Apple, Fortnite was taken down from app stores worldwide last week.
A law intended to boost competition prompted the game to return to the EU app store in January of last year after a four-year hiatus.
Google, which banned Fortnite from its app store in 2020 due to its payment policies, allowed downloads again last year.
There are about 400 million registered users on Fortnite, demonstrating its immense popularity.
There are several different game modes in the shooting and building game. Its online battle royale, where up to 100 players compete to be the last person standing, is by far its most popular feature.
