Apple and Epic resolve gaming app row under EU pressure

Apple and games developer Epic resolved a row over a planned gaming app store that pulled in the European Commission and its new Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules.

European Union officials quizzed Apple after Epic complained this week that the iPhone maker had terminated its developer account, risking its plans to build a rival app store for Apple devices, a possibility available since Thursday under new requirements for Apple to open up its systems.

Internal market chief Thierry Breton posted on X that "Apple decided to backtrack its decision on Epic's exclusion" and that the digital rules were "already showing very concrete results!" He had tweeted on Thursday that he'd asked officials to look into the issue.

Epic Chief Executive Officer Tim Sweeney said on X that "following a swift inquiry by the European Commission, Apple notified the Commission and Epic that it would relent and restore our access to bring back Fortnite and launch Epic Games Store in Europe under the DMA law."

Sweeney greeted it as "a big win for European rule of law, for the European Commission, and for the freedom of developers worldwide to speak up."

Apple spokesperson Julien Trosdorf said that after conversations with Epic, "they have committed to follow the rules, including our DMA policies. As a result, Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program."

Epic has been battling Apple for years, kicking off in 2020 when it bucked Apple’s rules by including a nonsanctioned payment option in its Fortnite app. Apple then booted Fortnite from the App Store, and Epic responded with a U.S. antitrust lawsuit.