Epic Games CEO vows to ‘battle’ Apple over ‘outrageous’ changes

The ongoing dispute between Apple and Epic Games continues to unfold, highlighting the complexities of app store policies and antitrust issues.

Epic Games has long challenged Apple’s App Store revenue-sharing model, culminating in an antitrust lawsuit that, despite being largely unsuccessful, brought attention to industry practices. This scrutiny intensified with separate legal actions from the Department of Justice and state attorneys general, echoing similar concerns over Apple’s market dominance.

In Europe, Epic appeared to gain ground under the Digital Markets Act, enabling it to launch its Epic Games Store on iOS and reintroduce Fortnite with reduced commissions. However, Apple reportedly rejected Epic’s store twice, citing similarities to its own App Store features.

The situation escalated when Epic publicly criticized Apple for what it called arbitrary and obstructive rejections, prompting regulatory involvement. Eventually, Apple approved the games store but insisted on future modifications.

Despite these developments, tensions remain high. Epic’s founder, Tim Sweeney, expressed disbelief at the unfolding events, indicating ongoing contention between the two tech giants. The saga underscores broader debates about competition, app store policies, and the regulatory landscape shaping the future of digital markets.