Fortnite: Epic Games Scores a Major Win Against Apple and Google in Australia!

General news News Tech Tech News 08/13/2025

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TECH NEWS – A federal court ruling could reshape app store rules and give players more freedom, paving the way for Fortnite’s return to iPhones in Australia.

Epic Games has notched a significant legal victory over Apple and Google, clearing a path for Fortnite to return to Australian iOS devices. In a decision handed down by Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach, the court found that the tech giants breached Australian competition law by restricting how developers distribute apps and by limiting in-app payment options. Long criticized for monopolistic behavior that stifles rivals and distorts the mobile ecosystem, the companies now face a precedent that benefits both consumers and developers—Australians are poised to download Fortnite again without resorting to workarounds.

The ruling mirrors momentum elsewhere. Earlier this year, U.S. litigation enabled Fortnite to reappear on the App Store with links to alternative payment methods, while in the EU, the Digital Markets Act has already opened the door for distribution via the Epic Games Store. With Australia now joining the chorus, regulators worldwide are under growing pressure to soften app-store restrictions and curb practices that hinder healthy competition.

The Epic Games Store and Fortnite will come to iOS in Australia! An Australian court just found that Apple and Google abuse their control over app distribution and in-app payments to limit competition. There are 2,000+ pages of findings that we’ll need to dig into to fully…

— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) August 12, 2025

Apple, following a familiar pattern, disagrees with the court’s findings and could appeal—arguing that the App Store’s design is essential for safety and privacy, and that third-party stores would undermine user security. Still, the decision signals a broader power shift in digital markets. After years of tight control over distribution and monetization, Apple and Google now face a ruling that encourages more open ecosystems and trims platform gatekeeping. If this trajectory holds, the dominance of single-store app distribution may be on borrowed time.

Source: WCCFTech, Reuters

Angyal Anikó

Anikó, our news editor and communication manager, is more interested in the business side of the gaming industry. She worked at banks, and she has a vast knowledge of business life. Still, she likes puzzle and story-oriented games, like Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments, which is her favourite title. She also played The Sims 3, but after accidentally killing a whole sim family, swore not to play it again. (For our office address, email and phone number check out our IMPRESSUM)