When Epic Games released an updated version of Fortnite, one that circumvented the payment options in Apple’s App Store and Google Play, it created a battle between two huge companies. It didn’t take long for Apple to remove the game from its store, and Epic fired back immediately with an animated short that parodies Apple’s iconic “1984” commercial and a lawsuit soon after. The back-and-forth is reminiscent of when Epic essentially forced Sony into supporting crossplay in Fortnite, a feature that is increasingly becoming an industry standard. You can keep up with all of the latest developments in Epic’s conflict with mobile app stores right here.
Epic alleges Google paid $360 million to keep Activision from launching its own app store
New filings in Epic’s lawsuit against Google reveal that at least one point in time, Activision and Riot were considering making their own mobile app stores.
May 5, 2022Richard Lawler and Sean Hollister
Now you can play Fortnite on your iPhone or Android for free with Xbox Cloud Gaming
All the screens for free
Epic asks court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off Play Store
Epic opens a new line of assault against Google payments
Apple hasn’t decided whether to appeal the Epic v. Apple ruling
Epic said yesterday that it plans to appeal
Epic will appeal the Epic v. Apple decision
The game company doesn’t consider it a win
Will Fortnite return to iOS? Probably not any time soon
Epic isn’t happy with the ruling
Apple won’t let Epic bring Fortnite back to South Korea’s App Store
Unless Epic complies with App Store rules, that is
Epic tests Apple with new request: let us relaunch Fortnite in Korea
Following the passing of a bill allowing alternative payment systems on the App Store
Eight things Apple could do to prove it actually cares about App Store users
Like hire more than 500 people to police an entire platform
Aug 31, 2021Mitchell Clark and Jon Porter
Apple and Google must allow developers to use other payment systems, new Korean law declares
The two companies aren’t happy
Google considered buying ‘some or all’ of Epic during Fortnite clash, court documents say
It also apparently called sideloading ‘an awful experience’
Epic files new complaint in its antitrust suit against Google
It’s now linked to a lawsuit filed by 36 states
Apple wants you to know it chose not to take a cut of $400 billion in physical goods
And it spends $50 million on WWDC
Here’s who Apple and Epic are calling to testify in next week’s trial
Tim Cook, Tim Sweeney, and many more
Eddy Cue wanted to bring iMessage to Android in 2013
‘Do we want to lose one of the most important apps in a mobile environment to Google?’
Apr 13, 2021Jay Peters and Sean Hollister
Three reasons why Epic Games can give away $17.5 billion worth of games for free
To start with, Tim Sweeney has revealed it’s not paying per copy
Epic antitrust case versus Apple in Australia gets three-month stay
A judge temporarily suspended the case in Australia as the US trial is set to begin in May
Apple says iMessage on Android ‘will hurt us more than help us’
Epic argues it’s part of Apple’s lock-in strategy
Three questions that will decide Epic v. Apple
New filings show both sides’ legal strategies at work
Apple’s 20-year head of developer relations retires ahead of Epic App Store trial
Ron Okamoto helped build the App Store, and he may be deposed
Apple and Epic’s top execs plan to testify live and in person this May in the Fortnite app store trial
Tim Cook, Phil Schiller, Craig Federighi and more
Epic expands app store fight even further with new legal claim against Google in Australia
Epic is now fighting Apple and Google in the EU, US, UK, and Australia
Apple lawyers are fighting for Steam sales data on hundreds of games
Apple is asking for extensive data on about 436 games
Epic Games brings Apple fight to the EU with new antitrust complaint
Following action taken in the US, UK, and Australia
Apple won’t have to allow App Store alternatives on iOS after North Dakota bill fails
The bill failed in a 11-36 vote on Tuesday
New North Dakota bill would force Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems
The proposed bill might have far-reaching consequences for mobile app marketplaces
Epic Games Store now offers Spotify, signaling app store ambitions beyond just games
Epic is in prolonged battles with Apple and Google over their app store business models
Nov 10, 2020Ian Carlos Campbell
PSA: Epic will honor V-Bucks trapped on Apple platforms
If you’ve noticed extra V-Bucks in your account, this is why
Epic says Apple ‘has no rights to the fruits of Epic’s labor’ in latest filing
The game maker is locked in a battle with Apple over App Store fees
Oct 9, 2020Nick Statt and Jay Peters
Epic judge permanently restrains Apple from blocking Unreal Engine, but won’t force Fortnite
Apple won’t be forced to bring Fortnite back to the App Store
Epic’s decision to bypass Apple’s App Store policies were dishonest, says US judge
A court hearing suggests Epic’s arguments aren’t being well received
Fortnite: Save the World for Mac is shutting down because of Epic’s battle with Apple
But Fortnite Battle Royale is still playable on Mac
Apple accuses Epic of ‘starting a fire and pouring gasoline on it’ in new Fortnite filing
Apple lays out its case for keeping Fortnite off the App Store
Epic says ‘Sign In with Apple’ will keep working for Fortnite after all
Yesterday, Epic said Apple was removing the ability to use ‘Sign In with Apple’ for Epic accounts
Epic Games accounts won’t be able to use Apple’s sign-in system as soon as September 11th
You’ll need to change your login credentials if you use ‘Sign In with Apple’
Apple will seek damages from Epic Games for breach of App Store contract
A new front in the ongoing Fortnite fight
Read Epic’s new, full argument why a court should force Apple to reinstate Fortnite
Epic is formally asking for a preliminary injunction
Hope you didn’t delete Fortnite or Infinity Blade because Apple just terminated Epic’s dev account
You can’t re-download Epic games anymore
Fortnite’s new season pits Marvel’s biggest heroes against Galactus
Welcome to the Nexus War
Fortnite is splitting into two different games because of Epic and Apple’s fight
Apple players are losing cross-play
Epic confirms Fortnite’s new season won’t be on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
The feud with Apple has put Fortnite development on iOS on an indefinite pause
Why Epic can’t afford to lose the Unreal Engine in its legal fight with Apple
Apple and Epic’s Fortnite fight has spiraled into something much more
Apple and Epic have to win over more than just a judge
The most important juries in the court of public opinion
Aug 25, 2020Russell Brandom, Sean Hollister and 1 more
Epic judge will protect Unreal Engine — but not Fortnite
Epic Games won a temporary restraining order against Apple, at least in part
‘Developers are fleeing the Unreal Engine,’ Epic tells court
Judge Rogers said she was inclined to protect the Unreal Engine
Aug 23, 2020Kim Lyons and Russell Brandom
Microsoft says Forza is at risk from Apple’s Unreal Engine cutoff
‘An unlawful effort to... chill any action by others who might dare oppose Apple,’ new motion reads
Read the emails between Epic and Apple that led to Fortnite’s App Store ban
A behind-the-scenes look at how the Fortnite legal battle took shape
Apple says Epic is ‘putting the entire App Store model at risk’
“The ‘emergency’ is entirely of Epic’s own making.”
Fortnite teases Marvel-themed season, but iPhone and iPad players could miss out
Epic can’t update Fortnite on iOS right now
Epic to host a #FreeFortnite tournament with anti-Apple prizes
It takes place August 23rd
How Fortnite’s epic battle with Apple could reshape the antitrust fight
In Epic vs. Apple, Congress may be on Epic’s side
Epic used its playbook for Fortnite events against Apple and Google
Epic knows how to make a spectacle
Apple tells Epic ‘we won’t make an exception’ for Fortnite
“The problem Epic has created for itself is one that can easily be remedied.”
Epic says Apple threatens ‘catastrophic’ response in two weeks if Fortnite doesn’t comply with rules
Apple now threatens to cut off developer agreement, Epic says
Epic’s Fortnite standoff is putting Apple’s cash cow at risk
Apple isn’t in the services business; it’s in the App Store business
Apple stumbled into a war with the gaming industry, and the future of iOS is at stake
Apple’s cloud ban and Fortnite feud have made it gaming’s latest villain
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says Apple fight is about ‘basic freedoms of all consumers and developers’
Sweeney says the explosive feud with Apple is not solely about money
Apple has finally met its Fortnite match
Apple’s walled garden gets an epic test
Fortnite vs Apple vs Google: a brief and very incomplete timeline
‘Our enemies shall talk themselves to death and we will bury them with their own confusion.’
OnePlus forced by Google to decimate a Fortnite launcher deal, claims Epic Games
Epic sued Google after the search company kicked Fortnite from the Play Store
Fortnite for Android has also been kicked off the Google Play Store
You can still install it directly from Epic, however
Epic rallies Fortnite players against Apple with a warning that they’ll miss the next season
Epic says Apple is blocking Fortnite updates
Watch Epic’s Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite short mocking Apple right here
The short premiered after Apple banned Fortnite from the App Store
Epic Games is suing Apple
Epic has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit following Apple’s removal of Fortnite from the App Store
Epic will mock Apple’s most iconic ad as possible revenge for Fortnite’s App Store ban
Epic escalates its fight with Apple
Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store
Apple says Epic is violating its App Store guidelines by using its own payment system
Epic offers new direct payment in Fortnite on iOS and Android to get around app store fees
Plus, V-bucks get permanently discounted
