Apple did not bring back Epic Games’ battle royale, meaning there is still no legal, easy way to play Fortnite’s most up-to-date version on iOS.

We’ve kept you updated regarding the case between Epic Games and Apple, including the ruling. Since then, Epic has appealed the decision, but at the moment, nine out of ten judgments are in Apple’s favour. However, Apple can no longer block developers to place buttons to inform customers about alternate payment methods. Still, Tim Sweeney, Epic Games’ boss, has provided another Twitter rant over multiple tweets:

“Apple lied. Apple spent a year telling the world, the court, and the press they’d “welcome Epic’s return to the App Store if they agree to play by the same rules as everyone else”. Epic agreed, and now Apple has reneged in another abuse of its monopoly power over a billion users. Late last night, Apple informed Epic that Fortnite will be blacklisted from the Apple ecosystem until the exhaustion of all court appeals, which could be as long as a 5-year process.

This is another extraordinary anti-competitive move by Apple, demonstrating its power to reshape markets and choose winners and losers. It’s also a loss for fair competition and consumer choice. The loss of Fortnite as an iOS metaverse competitor alongside Roblox and PUBG Mobile has significant implications for the evolution of the new medium of our era.

Why did Apple break its promise to allow Fortnite back under its rules? Apple cites three reasons: 1) they won, 2) Epic “statements since the court’s decision”, and 3) the way we launched direct payments in 2020. Apple always claimed they expected to win, and Apple has known about Epic’s payment system since 2020. Since September 10, when Apple last offered to welcome Fortnite back, the only change is that Epic appealed the decision and made “statements”.” Sweeney said.

This argument isn’t going to end soon…

Source: WCCFTech