Fans of Fortnite in the European Union have exciting news! After a long wait, players who missed out on the action since Fortnite was removed from the App Store in 2020 will be happy to hear that Epic Games has brought the game back to Apple devices, including iPads.
What’s the Story?
The experience of playing Fortnite on Apple devices has been somewhat unpredictable. When it was first made available on mobile devices in 2017, it became quite popular, to the point where partnerships with Samsung were formed in 2018 to support the mobile version. However, disagreements over rules regarding in-game currency led to its sudden removal from the App Store in 2020.
Despite the setback, players in the EU can still have hope because Epic Games has announced that Fortnite will be coming back to iPhones in the EU in the upcoming months, and then to iPads later in the year. The reason for this is that the Digital Markets Act legislation has now allowed Epic to promote Fortnite on Apple devices via the Epic Games Store.
Digital Markets Act law
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a law passed by the European Union (EU) to regulate digital platforms and ensure fair competition in the digital market. It aims to address issues related to the dominance of big tech companies by setting rules that promote fairness, transparency, and innovation.
Large online platforms are classified as “gatekeepers” under the DMA if they satisfy specific requirements, namely being well-established in the EU market and possessing a strong position that enables them to regulate user and data access. These gatekeepers have certain responsibilities, such as giving equal and nondiscriminatory access to their data and services and not abusing their market dominance to unfairly disadvantage rivals.
The DMA also includes provisions to address specific practices that may harm competition, such as self-preferencing (favoring their own products or services over competitors’) and unfair practices related to data access.
In general, the DMA aims to safeguard consumer interests, encourage competition and innovation, and create more level playing fields in the digital market.
What to Expect
With Fortnite’s imminent return, players can anticipate exploring a revamped map and diving into Chapter 5 content (end of 2024). Exciting new developments are hinted at by leaks, offering both new and returning players fresh gaming experiences.
Regions that Will Support Fortnite on Apple Devices
European Union Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
It’s a huge moment for players in the EU who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Fortnite on Apple devices. As they are ready to play the game again, gamers may anticipate a fun time with new features and captivating gameplay elements because the game has improved since its withdrawal.
Wait for announcements regarding the official release date of Fortnite and get ready to explore the ever changing Fortnite universe!
