Epic offers to end Apple feud after major court ruling over App Store fees
by Danny Craig
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Epic Games
Epic Games says it will bring Fortnite back to iOS and drop all litigation if Apple applies a recent US court ruling worldwide.
The details:
- A US judge ruled Apple violated a 2021 injunction by introducing new fees and warnings to discourage developers from using alternative payment links. The court described Apple’s response as “anticompetitive,” saying it acted “in wilful violation” of the original order and accused VP Alex Roman of having “outright lied under oath.”
- “Apple’s goal,” the court wrote, “was to dissuade customer usage of alternative purchase opportunities and maintain its anticompetitive revenue stream.”
- Epic CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the verdict, declaring: “NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax.” He said Fortnite would return to the US App Store next week, and offered a global settlement: “If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.”
- In a press briefing transcribed by The Game Business, Sweeney added: “We were one of Apple’s best partners for more than a decade… I hold out hope that there’s a way for Apple to get back on the right side of history here.” Apple said it “strongly disagrees” with the ruling and will appeal.
Other gaming news:
- Microsoft has reported its financial results for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year, revealing continued growth in its gaming division despite another decline in Xbox hardware revenue.
- Electronic Arts has reportedly cut more than 300 jobs and shelved multiple projects, including an unannounced Titanfall title.
