Apple has given the go-ahead for Fortnite developer Epic Games’ third-party app marketplace to open in the EU, following several denials. Epic Games said earlier this year that it intended to bring its main game, Fortnite, back to iOS in Europe, as permitted under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
But, Epic Games said on X (previously Twitter) on Friday that Apple had twice rejected their request because of worries that their Games Store bore too much resemblance to Apple’s App Store. After then, Epic declared it would refer the issue to European regulators for assessment.
Apple approved the third-party marketplace app later that day, provided that Epic Games released an update with the appropriate fixes.
Posts on X claim that Epic Games first claimed Apple had rejected their proposal due to specifics like where its “Install” button for games was placed, which Apple claimed was too similar to its own “Get” button. Additionally, it said that because of how similar their “in-app purchase” name was to Apple’s, it was rejected.
According to Epic, it is employing naming patterns that are common to well-known app shops on several platforms.
The company added that it has communicated its concerns to the European Commission and described the denial as “arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA.”
On Friday afternoon, Apple announced that the Epic Sweden AB Marketplace app had been approved, but the developer would still need to make the necessary adjustments. According to Apple, Epic Games had committed to refraining from creating a confusing resemblance between its Games Store and the App Store, as per the terms of Section 2.3(G) of the developer agreement. Apple observed that, with the exception of the download button’s appearance and wording, Epic had largely adhered to this rule.
Apple added that the Fortnite app from Epic Games has already received approval.
Epic’s case serves as a prominent illustration of just how strict Apple will be regarding the new regulations, which for the first time allow third-party software shops on iOS. Rejections that are too frequent may also put off other developers who might be keen to try their own distribution routes.
Since Apple was designated a “gatekeeper” by EU law, the tech giant must now let third-party app shops on the iPhone in accordance with the DMA’s new regulations. Instead of paying Apple for the use of its technology, developers can choose to adopt a new set of DMA rules that will lower their commissions on in-app purchases made on the App Store. However, this procedure still requires costs under a convoluted new framework.
For years, Epic and Apple have been at odds about how to reach Apple’s iPhone users without having to pay commissions for in-app purchases. The corporation brought the matter to American courts, where it was eventually unable to establish Apple’s monopoly status and lost on most fronts.
However, in response to Epic’s persistent complaints, Apple temporarily canceled the game developer’s EU developer account until EU regulators intervened once more. Since then, Epic Games has promised to introduce its Games Store and release Fortnite on iOS and iPad in the European Union.
