'Fortnite' unavailable on Apple devices worldwide

Core Viewpoint - The popular game "Fortnite" is currently unavailable on Apple's App Store globally, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Epic Games and Apple over app distribution and commission fees [1][2]. Company Actions - Epic Games has stated that "Fortnite" will remain offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it, following a submission for an app update that was blocked by Apple [2][3]. - Apple requested Epic to resubmit the app update without including the US storefront to avoid impacting Fortnite's availability in other regions [3]. Legal Context - Epic Games has been engaged in legal battles with Apple since 2021, primarily over the latter's commission fees, which can reach up to 30% [8][9]. - A US federal judge recently indicated that Apple is not complying with a previous court order requiring it to allow alternative payment methods outside the App Store [10]. Market Impact - "Fortnite" has approximately 500 million users as of 2023, making it a significant player in the gaming industry [8]. - The ongoing dispute has implications for Apple's services revenue, which constitutes over 25% of its total revenue, as the company seeks to reduce reliance on iPhone sales [12]. Regulatory Environment - The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandates that Apple and other tech giants open their platforms to competition, allowing alternative app distribution methods [5][9]. - Following the court ruling, other companies like Spotify have begun to leverage the new regulations to offer alternative payment options [13].