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Fortnite''s return to iOS in the UK "uncertain", as Epic accuses UK regulator of deprioritising store competition

Epic Games Accuses UK Regulator of Hindering App Store Competition, Casting Doubt on Fortnite's iOS Return

In a escalating dispute that highlights the ongoing tensions between tech giants and regulators, Epic Games has publicly accused the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of effectively deprioritizing efforts to foster greater competition in the mobile app store ecosystem. This accusation comes amid Epic's long-standing battle with Apple over app distribution policies, which has already seen significant developments in other regions like the European Union. The core issue revolves around the potential return of Epic's blockbuster game Fortnite to iOS devices in the UK, a move that now appears uncertain due to what Epic describes as regulatory backtracking. This situation underscores broader debates about monopoly power in digital markets, consumer choice, and the role of government oversight in shaping the tech landscape.

To understand the context, it's essential to revisit the origins of this conflict. Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite—a cultural phenomenon that has amassed billions in revenue and a massive global player base—first clashed with Apple in 2020. At that time, Epic introduced a direct payment system within Fortnite on iOS, bypassing Apple's App Store fees, which typically take a 30% cut of in-app purchases. Apple responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store, citing violations of its guidelines. This sparked a high-profile lawsuit in the United States, where Epic challenged Apple's alleged anticompetitive practices. While the U.S. courts largely sided with Apple, the case drew international attention to the dominance of app stores operated by Apple and Google, prompting regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

In the European Union, progress has been more favorable for Epic. The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect earlier this year, mandates that "gatekeeper" companies like Apple must allow alternative app stores and sideloading—installing apps from sources outside the official store. This has paved the way for Epic to announce plans to relaunch its Epic Games Store on iOS in the EU, complete with Fortnite's triumphant return. Epic has hailed this as a victory for developers and consumers, arguing that it breaks down barriers to entry and reduces the stranglehold of proprietary app ecosystems. The company has been vocal about how such changes could lower costs for users and spur innovation by enabling more diverse distribution channels.

However, the situation in the UK, post-Brexit and outside the EU's direct regulatory framework, tells a different story. The UK is in the process of implementing its own legislation, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (DMCC Bill), aimed at addressing similar concerns about digital market power. This bill empowers the CMA to designate companies with "strategic market status" and impose remedies to promote competition. Initially, there was optimism that this could mirror the EU's approach, potentially forcing Apple to open up iOS in the UK as well. Epic had expressed hope that the DMCC would facilitate the return of Fortnite to British iPhones and iPads, allowing UK players to access the game without relying on workarounds like cloud streaming services.

But recent developments have thrown a wrench into these plans. Epic's latest statement accuses the CMA of a sudden shift in priorities, claiming that the regulator has decided to "deprioritize" investigations into mobile ecosystems, including app stores. Specifically, Epic points to the CMA's announcement that it will not pursue certain probes into Apple's and Google's practices as vigorously as before, citing resource constraints and a need to focus on other areas. This, Epic argues, effectively delays or derails the implementation of pro-competition measures that could have enabled alternative app stores in the UK. In a strongly worded blog post, Epic described this as a "betrayal" of the principles underlying the DMCC Bill, suggesting that it hands a win to Apple and Google by maintaining the status quo.

Epic's frustration is palpable in their communications. They argue that the CMA's decision undermines the UK's ambition to be a leader in digital innovation and competition policy. By deprioritizing app store competition, Epic claims, the regulator is allowing entrenched players to continue extracting high fees from developers, which ultimately gets passed on to consumers through higher prices or reduced choices. Fortnite, as a flagship title, serves as a litmus test for these issues: its absence from iOS has meant that millions of players in the UK and elsewhere have been unable to access the game natively on their devices, forcing them to turn to alternatives like PC, consoles, or Android versions. Epic estimates that this has cost them significant revenue and user engagement, while also limiting the game's cultural impact.

The implications of this regulatory stance extend beyond just one game. Critics, including Epic, warn that if the UK lags behind the EU in opening up app markets, it could create a fragmented digital landscape where developers face varying rules across borders. This might discourage investment in the UK tech sector and put British consumers at a disadvantage compared to their European counterparts. For instance, while EU users might soon enjoy Fortnite via the Epic Games Store on iOS, UK users could remain stuck with Apple's walled garden, where all apps must go through the App Store's approval process and fee structure.

Epic isn't alone in its concerns. Other developers and industry groups have echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that app store monopolies stifle innovation. Indie developers, in particular, struggle with the high commissions and restrictive policies, which can make it hard to compete with larger titles. The UK's decision to deprioritize these issues, according to Epic, sends a signal that the government is not fully committed to tackling Big Tech's dominance, despite public rhetoric to the contrary.

In response, the CMA has defended its position, stating that its resources are finite and that it must allocate them to areas with the greatest potential impact on competition and consumers. The regulator has emphasized that the DMCC Bill is still progressing through Parliament and that once enacted, it will provide a robust framework for addressing digital market issues. However, the CMA has indicated that immediate investigations into mobile browsers and cloud gaming—areas where Apple and Google also hold significant sway—will take precedence over broader app store probes. This prioritization, while pragmatic, has fueled Epic's narrative that app store competition is being sidelined.

Looking ahead, the uncertainty surrounding Fortnite's iOS return in the UK could persist for months or even years. Epic has vowed to continue advocating for change, potentially through legal challenges or lobbying efforts. They have called on UK lawmakers to intervene and ensure that the DMCC Bill delivers on its promises of fairer digital markets. In the meantime, Fortnite fans in the UK may have to content themselves with other platforms or hope for a policy reversal.

This saga is emblematic of the global pushback against tech monopolies. From the EU's DMA to antitrust cases in the US and now the UK's evolving stance, the battle over app stores is far from over. Epic's accusations against the CMA highlight the challenges regulators face in balancing enforcement priorities amid complex, fast-moving tech landscapes. For consumers, the outcome could mean more choices and lower costs—or a continuation of the current system where a few companies control the gates to digital content. As Epic presses its case, the world watches to see if the UK will align with progressive reforms or chart a more cautious path, potentially at the expense of competition and innovation in one of the most lucrative sectors of the economy. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full Eurogamer Article at:
[ https://www.eurogamer.net/fortnites-return-to-ios-in-the-uk-uncertain-as-epic-accuses-uk-regulator-of-deprioritising-store-competition ]