Apple backed down from its conflict with Epic Games in response to pressure from European regulators, allowing Epic to launch its game shop on iPhones and iPads in the region.
This was contained in a statement from Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, saying its developer account has been reinstated following “a swift inquiry” from the European Commission.
Following an inquiry from the European Commission, Apple reportedly cancelled the game publisher’s developer license earlier this week.
However, Epic Games now claims that Apple has reinstated the account.
Following the European Union’s deadline of this Thursday for Big Tech companies to abide by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a set of regulations that prohibits Apple and Google from dictating which apps are distributed on devices running the iOS and Android operating systems, Apple has decided to welcome Epic in its fold.
According to EU industry chief Thierry Breton, authorities had alerted Apple that its action earlier this week was intended to prevent Epic from making a comeback.
“I take note with satisfaction that following our contacts Apple decided to backtrack its decision on Epic exclusion. From Day 2, #DMA is already showing very concrete results!” Breton said on the X social media platform.
Apple has “committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account,” according to a website update from Epic Games.
“Going forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe,” the company wrote.
Since 2020, Epic and Apple have been embroiled in a legal dispute stemming from Epic’s allegation that Apple’s practice of collecting up to 30% commissions on in-app purchases made on its iOS devices violated antitrust laws in the United States.
Epic and Apple lost their legal battle, and as a result of the game maker’s deliberate rule-breaking as a form of protest, Epic was removed from Apple products.
The latest dispute between Apple and Epic was over Apple’s developer accounts, which are typically a small but essential administrative procedure that developers must complete before releasing programmes on Apple hardware.
