The popular game was no longer available on Apple’s devices since August 2020, when Apple entered into a legal dispute with Epic Games
Apple users can play Fortnite again
iPhone users and fans of the famous game Fortnite can finally rejoice. They will be able to play it on their smartphones from May 5th. The globally popular game, was no longer available on the California-based brand’s devices since August 2020, when Apple had entered into a legal dispute with Epic Games, Fortnite’s parent company.
But now, players can find the battle royale game directly on a mobile web browser, without downloading it from the App Store. “In the 26 countries where it is possible to play via the cloud (streaming, remotely), you just need a Microsoft account – and a smartphone or tablet running iOS (Apple) or Android (Google), or a computer with Windows“, explains the apple firm in a statement. This is the first “free” game (but with paid options) that Microsoft has added to its Xbox Cloud Gaming platform, but it won’t be the last.
” It’s an important step to add a Free-to-Play game to our cloud gaming catalog as we continue to move forward in the cloud,” said Catherine Gluckstein, vice president and product manager of Xbox Cloud Gaming. ” We are starting with Fortnite and plan to offer more Free-to-Play games in the future that people enjoy. “
“No subscription required, no 30% Apple tax”
“Huge news!” exclaimed Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney on Twitter. “Fortnite is now available for FREE streaming on browsers on iPhone, iPad and Android via Xbox Cloud. No subscription required, no Apple tax at 30%”. In fact, Apple had removed Fortnite from the App Store when Epic sought to circumvent its rules and payment system, which allowed it to take 30% of the revenue made by the game on sales of bonuses, costumes and other virtual items.
Monumental news everyone! Fortnite is now available to play FOR FREE streaming to web browsers on iPhone, iPad, and Android via Xbox Cloud. No subscription required, no 30% Apple tax.https://t.co/eHs1Xvh6D2
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) May 5, 2022
The video game publisher filed a complaint against the Californian electronics giant for abuse of dominant position, accusing it of exercising a monopoly on the purchase of goods and services in its online store. But after many months of battling, specifically in November 2021, a U.S. federal judge ordered Apple to allow an alternative payment system within the App Store. However, it also found that Epic had failed to prove that Apple had violated competition law.
The Apple brand is currently fighting with several European regulators on this issue. He believes that the App Store is the best possible guarantee of payment security and data privacy.
Today, nearly one billion people in the world use an iPhone, according to Backlinko. On the other hand, Fortnite represents one of the most popular video games in the world with nearly 200 million players claimed.
