Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney revealed that his company has spent more than $100 million in legal fees during its ongoing battle against Apple's App Store policies. The fight, which began in 2020, has cost Epic Games substantially more when considering lost revenue opportunities.
According to Sweeney, during Fortnite's two-year presence on iOS before being removed, the game generated approximately $300 million in revenue. The CEO estimates the total financial impact on Epic Games could reach $1 billion when accounting for lost potential players and network effects.
Despite these substantial costs, the legal battle has yielded some victories. A recent court ruling found Apple in contempt for inadequately complying with an anti-steering injunction. The tech giant must now allow developers to include links to external payment options without collecting commissions or controlling the appearance of these links.
In response to this development, Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite back to the iOS App Store in the United States through its Swedish subsidiary's developer account. Sweeney expressed confidence in the game's return, stating he would be "very surprised if Apple decided to brave the geopolitical storm of blocking a major app from iOS."
Looking ahead, Epic Games plans to launch Epic Games Store Webshops later this year. This feature will enable developers to create digital storefronts hosted by the Epic Games Store. The service will be free for developers earning under $1 million annually per app, with larger developers paying a 12 percent fee.
The ongoing dispute highlights broader questions about digital marketplace control and developer freedom in the mobile ecosystem. While Apple plans to appeal the recent ruling, the case represents a potential shift in how app stores operate and how developers can interact with their customers.