Apple said on Friday that it has approved Epic Games’ games marketplace app on iPhones and iPads in Europe, after the “Fortnite” maker escalated its feud with the technology giant, accusing it of hindering its efforts to set up a games store on the devices, Reuters reported.
Apple said the latest spat concerned the Epic Sweden AB Marketplace has nothing to do with the video games maker’s Fortnite app which has already been given the green light.
Apps developers and antitrust regulators have criticized Apple’s tight control of the iOS app ecosystem.
Before Apple’s announcement, Epic said the iPhone maker had twice rejected documents the video-game publisher submitted to launch the Epic Games Store because of the design of certain buttons and labels was similar to those used by its App Store.
The European Commission, which opened an investigation into the checks and reviews put in place to validate apps and alternative app stores to be sideloaded last month, declined to comment.
TechCrunch reported: After multiple rejections, Apple has approved Fortnite maker Epic Games’ third-party app marketplace for launch in the EU. As now permitted by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Epic announced earlier this year it planned to bring both the digital storefront and its flagship game, Fortnite, back to iOS in Europe
However, Friday, Epic Games took to X (formerly Twitter) to complain that Apple had rejected its submission twice over concerns that it’s Games Store looked too much like Apple’s App Store. Epic then said it would take the matter to European regulators for review.
Later in the day, Apple approved the third-party marketplace app on the condition that Epic Games would make the necessary corrections in a subsequent update.
NBC News reported reported Apple has signed off on the Epic Games Store in the European Union after the gaming company publicly complained that the tech giant had repeatedly rejected their application, which Epic Games said was a violation of the E.U. law.
On Friday morning, the Epic Games Newsroom account posted on X, accusing Apple of rejecting the Epic Games Store notarization submission twice because of similarities to Apple’s own App Store. A few hours later, the account shared that the Epic Games Store submission had been accepted.
The Epic Games Store is a virtual storefront for consumers to purchase various games, including Fortnite.
A representative of Apple confirmed in a statement to NBC News that the Epic Sweden AB Marketplace app has now been approved but that they have asked Epic Games to make its Marketplace less similar to the Apple App Store in the future.
In my opinion, this situation isn’t new. Apple and Epic Games have been fighting with each other, over and over again, for years. I highly doubt either of these two companies will give up the fight.