In a surprising twist, Epic Games has pulled back its request for Fortnite’s return to the iPhone App Store in the United States after Apple declined to approve the game this week. This decision marks yet another chapter in an ongoing saga between one of the biggest names in gaming and the tech giant behind the iPhone.
Last Friday, May 9th, Epic announced it had submitted Fortnite for Apple’s review, a process usually wraps up within a couple of days. However, it appears Apple is taking its time on this one, showing no immediate intention to reinstate the beloved game.
As Fortnite continues to evolve, Epic has decided to retract its initial submission and has instead opted to present a fresh version of the game. This update was initially intended to launch across all platforms this morning but has now been postponed until tomorrow, adding a layer of uncertainty for fans eager for new content.
This latest development comes on the heels of a notable ruling earlier this month by a US judge, who took Apple to task for stifling developers’ opportunity to implement their own in-app payment solutions. This issue, which is at the heart of the longstanding clash between Epic and Apple, led to Fortnite’s removal from the App Store worldwide. While the judge ruled that Apple must allow U.S. developers to explore alternative payment avenues, the approval for specific applications still resides firmly with Apple.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney voiced his concerns on social media, noting, “I haven’t received any response from Apple yet. They’ve had our submission since last Friday.” He elaborated, “We reached out yesterday but still have not heard back.” Highlighting the urgency of the matter, he stated, “We need to deliver our weekly Fortnite update brimming with new content this Friday, and it’s essential that all platforms receive the update simultaneously.” As a result, the game’s earlier version submitted to Apple has been withdrawn, and a new version has been sent for review.
While Fortnite has made its comeback in the European Union after prolonged legal wrangling, it remains barred from reentering the App Store in other regions. Meanwhile, Apple is pursuing an appeal regarding the recent decision about its practices in the U.S. App Store, indicating that the battle is far from over.
