In the wake of Epic Games Store and Fortnite’s launch on mobile, the company’s CEO Tim Sweeney has revealed the cost of their legal struggle against Apple and Google. According to Sweeney, Epic Games has lost over a billion dollars in revenue since 2020 due to the ongoing legal battles with the tech giants. Despite the high legal fees, Epic Games Store and Fortnite are now available on iOS and Android devices with some restrictions.
Epic Games has also spent hundreds of millions on legal fees as a result of the prolonged legal dispute with Apple and Google. However, after more than three years of legal battles, Epic Games Store and Fortnite are now accessible on iOS and Android devices, albeit with some limitations. While the store and the popular games are available on iOS devices within the European Union, users in the US and UK will have to wait a bit longer to access them. Nevertheless, Epic Games and its titles are available worldwide for Android users.
Sweeney sees the availability of Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys on iOS devices in Europe as a significant milestone. However, he believes that the fight is far from over, as the games are still not available on iOS devices in the US and the UK. Despite the challenges, Sweeney remains optimistic about the situation and believes that the billion dollars spent so far is a small price to pay for the future freedom of the company and others who want to participate in the market.
The legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple began in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from iOS devices due to Epic Games‘ attempt to circumvent Apple’s 30% tax on all apps. This led to a series of lawsuits and countersuits between the two companies. Epic Games also filed a lawsuit against Google in August 2020 to challenge its 30% revenue cut. After a series of legal battles, Epic Games Store and its games have now made a comeback on iOS devices in the European Union, while Android users can enjoy Fortnite and use the store without any regional restrictions.
Despite the challenges posed by Apple and Google, Sweeney believes that the fight for the company’s freedom and market participation is worth the cost. While Apple and Google have implemented obstacles such as poor-quality install processes and scare-screens, users can still access and play Fortnite and other Epic Games titles on their mobile devices once they navigate through these hurdles. The future of Epic Games Store and its games on iOS devices in the US and the UK remains uncertain, but Sweeney’s determination to continue the fight for market access and fair competition is unwavering.
