🎉 Fortnite is back on U.S. iPhones after a nearly five-year exile!
Epic Games’ battle royale sensation returned to Apple’s App Store Tuesday, ending a bitter legal feud that began in 2020 over Apple’s 30% in-app purchase fees. The comeback follows a federal judge’s April ruling that Apple violated antitrust rules by restricting payment alternatives. ⚖️
"We back fam," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, celebrating the victory that cost the studio millions in lost revenue. But analysts warn Fortnite’s glory days might be behind it – the game had 116 million iOS users when banned in 2020. 📉
The decision cracks Apple’s tight control over app payments, potentially helping rivals like Spotify and Netflix save millions. 💸 "This reshapes iOS economics," said Running Point Capital’s Michael Ashley Schulman.
While Fortnite returned to Android and EU iPhones earlier, this U.S. comeback marks a symbolic win for developers fighting "walled garden" app stores. 🌱
Tencent-backed Epic’s fight isn’t over – Apple still faces a criminal contempt investigation. 🔍 But for now, players can drop back into the island via iOS… no VPN required. 🪂
