Apple Won't Let 'Fortnite' Back on the App Store Until Epic 'Plays by the Rules'

Apple has stated that it won’t let Epic Games bring the megapopular Fortnite video game back to the App Store until the company agrees to “play by the same rules as everyone else.”

The Verge reports that tech giant Apple has stated that Epic Games is not allowed back in the App Store until the company agrees to “play by the same rules as everyone else.” The comment comes after Epic asked Apple this week to reinstate its developer account so that it could release the iOS version of its video game Fortnite in South Korea.

Fortnite police car (Epic Games/Screenshot)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 26: Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium on July 26, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Breitbart News recently reported that South Korea passed a bill designed to stop tech giants such as Google and Apple from preventing developers from using third-party payment systems. The bill will likely be signed into law by President Moon Jae-in, whose political party proposed the bill.

Under the new law, if tech companies fail to allow developers to use alternate payment processors, they could face fines of up to 3 percent of their revenue in South Korea. The law makes amendments to South Korea’s Telecommunications Business Act and could impact how Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store operate worldwide.

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks with attendees during an Apple product launch event at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California on September 10, 2019. – Apple unveiled its iPhone 11 models Tuesday, touting upgraded, ultra-wide cameras as it updated its popular smartphone lineup and cut its entry price to $699. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP)

However, Apple maintains that it’s under no obligation to allow Epic to operate in the App Store whatsoever. An Apple spokesperson told the Verge:

As we’ve said all along, we would welcome Epic’s return to the App Store if they agree to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Epic has admitted to breach of contract and as of now, there’s no legitimate basis for the reinstatement of their developer account.

South Korea’s new legislation has yet to go into effect, but Apple claims that even if the law was to pass it would not change the company’s process for approving developer accounts or its current relationship with Epic. Apple has stated that until Epic agrees to comply with the App Store’s app review guidelines, it will not consider the company’s request.