Epic Games revealed unpleasant news for Fortnite users on iOS devices in Japan, as it confirmed that the game will not return to the iPhone or to the App Store there, despite the entry into force of a new law.
The Mobile Software Competition Act imposed on Apple to allow third-party application stores on the iPhone in order to enhance competition.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic, commented on the
The tension between Apple and Epic has continued for years, after Epic objected to Apple’s cut of 30% of in-app purchases, which led to the removal of Fortnite from the App Store in 2020.
However, the game later returned to iOS in the European Union via third-party stores, as well as to the App Store in the United States after legal victories, which raised expectations of its return in Japan before these hopes were dashed.
Apple explained that, in theory, it opens iOS to competing app stores on the iPhone, without applying this to the iPad.
However, Sweeney criticized the fees imposed, stressing that Apple imposes what he described as an “arbitrary fee” of 21% on in-app payments via third parties, and 15% on purchases via the web. He added that these practices had previously been considered illegal in contempt of court cases that Apple lost and the ruling in which was upheld.
Epic increased its criticism with Apple imposing a 5% cut on applications sold through competing stores, in addition to requiring developers to use a programming interface to monitor all transactions and report them to Apple. Sweeney also pointed out that warnings are displayed to users when trying to install alternative stores, with the aim of raising security and privacy concerns.
On the other hand, Apple justified these policies by saying that they aim to protect users’ privacy and the safety of children, stressing that the fees cover the costs of payment processing technologies.
However, Epic pledged to escalate the issue before the Fair Trade Commission in Japan, considering that true competition will not be achieved as long as Apple continues to exploit its position among users and developers.
