In a dramatic turn of events, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite will return to the US App Store next week, following a landmark court ruling against Apple. The gaming giant has also extended an olive branch to Apple with a global peace proposal.
The announcement comes after a California District Court found Apple in willful violation of a 2021 anti-steering injunction. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ordered Apple to immediately revise its App Store rules, prohibiting the tech giant from preventing developers from directing customers to external payment options.
Under the new ruling, Apple can no longer control how developers communicate about non-App Store purchases or collect commissions on transactions made outside their ecosystem. The court's decision effectively dismantles Apple's previous policy of charging between 12-27% fees on external purchases.
"NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax," Sweeney declared on social media. He then presented a peace proposal: If Apple extends these new US court-mandated rules worldwide, Epic Games will not only return Fortnite to the global App Store but also drop all current and future litigation on the matter.
During a press briefing, Sweeney emphasized that this represents a major win for developers. "What this does is it forces Apple to compete with other payment services, rather than blocking them," he explained. "This is what we wanted all along."
The conflict between Epic Games and Apple began in August 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store after Epic implemented its own payment system. The move sparked a legal battle that has lasted nearly four years.
In a lighter note, Sweeney revealed plans for a new in-game outfit called "Pie Patron," designed specifically for a potential reconciliation with Apple, contrasting with the previous antagonistic "Tart Tycoon" outfit.
As of now, Apple has not publicly responded to Epic's proposal. Industry observers suggest the tech giant may be reluctant to accept these terms, given its historical stance on App Store policies and revenue model.