Despite Tim Sweeney's strong disagreement with Apple's new rules for the third-party app market in Europe Union, Epic Games plans to launch its own store for iPhone later this year. The company announced its plans last month and shared more details on its blog today.
Apple developer Epic Games' account was suspended in 2020 after the company violated App Store rules by adding a direct payment option to the Fortnite app. That led to a years-long legal battle between Apple and Epic Games that came to a head last month after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals in the case.
As reported by The Verge, Epic says Apple has reinstated its Apple Developer account and is now working on its “Epic Games Store.” Third Party App Marketplace:
We have received an Apple developer account and will soon begin developing the Epic Games Store for iOS thanks to the new Digital Markets Act. We plan to launch it in 2024. Epic Games Scotland AB will operate the Epic Games Store and Fortnite mobile store in Europe, with the Store development team leading development. Epic Games has 3 studios and more than 60 employees in Sweden.
Epic Games has not shared any additional information about its plans for a third-party iPhone app marketplace. According to Apple's rules, Epic Games cannot operate an app marketplace that exclusively offers its own content. Apple says marketplaces must be fair to all developers, so Epic Games will have to accept bids from other developers as well.
