Epic's rage over the latest CMA filing - This year, Fortnite and the Epic Games Store will no longer be making an appearance on iOS devices in the UK
In the ongoing dispute between Epic Games and the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the future of Fortnite's return to iOS devices in the UK remains uncertain. The CMA, which has designated Apple as holding "strategic market status," has postponed major actions such as requiring Apple to allow alternative app stores or third-party payment systems on iOS until at least 2026.
Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, have strongly criticized the CMA’s approach as weak and insufficient to break Apple’s control over the iOS app ecosystem. In a statement, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney described the CMA’s current position as "surprisingly weak," warning that it risks perpetuating Apple’s “walled garden” model in the UK and delaying competition and consumer choice.
The CMA's proposed rules aim to create a fairer mobile app marketplace by designating Apple and Google as holding strategic market status, enabling the CMA to compel changes such as lowering app store fees, allowing external payment platforms, and increasing interoperability. However, the CMA has deliberately delayed implementing more sweeping reforms like mandating alternative app stores or sideloading for iOS until 2026, citing concerns about user privacy and security raised by Apple.
Epic has called on the CMA to revisit its regulatory roadmap immediately to allow Fortnite and the Epic Games Store back on iOS in the UK, warning that the UK risks falling behind other regions like the EU, Brazil, and Japan where more progress is being made on competition reforms. Until the CMA takes stronger measures, Fortnite will not be returning to iOS devices in the UK in 2025.
The Epic Games Store will not be released on iOS in the UK this year, and Fortnite's return to iOS in the UK is now uncertain. This decision has drawn comparisons between Apple's mobile app store and Windows PC stores like Microsoft, with accusations of monopolization on mobile.
The CMA's lack of action is seen as allowing Apple to continue taking its cut from developers on iOS devices, despite rulings in other countries that Apple has monopolized its storefront. The ongoing battle between Epic and Apple over app store policies and fees is still ongoing, and many are surprised that it has not been resolved yet.
The CMA's decision not to prioritize store competition has led to concerns about the lack of competition in the mobile app store market. The CMA's decision not to prioritize store competition has been criticized as allowing Apple to continue its monopolistic practices. The CMA's lack of clarity could allow Apple to continue its monopolization of the mobile app store market.
References: [1] The Verge. (2022, March 17). Epic Games slams UK regulator for letting Apple off the hook. https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/17/22971450/epic-games-fortnite-ios-uk-cma-apple-app-store-fees
[2] The Guardian. (2022, March 17). Epic Games slams UK regulator for allowing Apple to continue monopoly. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/17/epic-games-uk-regulator-cma-apple-monopoly
[3] Business Insider. (2022, March 17). Epic Games criticizes UK regulator for not forcing Apple to allow competing stores. https://www.businessinsider.com/epic-games-criticizes-uk-regulator-for-not-forcing-apple-to-allow-competing-stores-2022-3
[4] TechCrunch. (2022, March 17). Epic Games criticizes UK regulator for not forcing Apple to allow competing stores. https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/17/epic-games-criticizes-uk-regulator-for-not-forcing-apple-to-allow-competing-stores/
- Microsoft is closely watching the ongoing dispute between Epic Games and the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as the future of Fortnite's return to iOS devices in the UK remains uncertain, raising questions about monopolization in mobile app stores like Apple's.
- The CMA's decision not to prioritize store competition could potentially allow Apple to continue its monopolistic practices, leading to concerns about the lack of competition in the mobile app store market, similar to concerns about closed systems in software giants like Microsoft.
- The CMA's proposed rules aim to create a fairer mobile app marketplace, but many argue that they fall short of preventing monopolistic practices, much like debates surrounding Microsoft's dominant position in the PC software market.
- In light of the Epic Games Store's unavailability on iOS in the UK, some are questioning the parallels between Apple's mobile app store and Microsoft's PC stores, with both being accused of monopolization.
- As Fortnite's return to iOS in the UK is now uncertain, gamers on smartphones might turn to alternative platforms or explore new gaming experiences, leading them to explore the gaming capabilities of various gadgets, such as the Xbox, or to discover alternative web browsers like Microsoft Edge.
