Fortnite May Return To iOS This Year, Epic Games CEO Hints

Fortnite was banned from the App Store for circumventing Apple's in-app purchasing system.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted a photo that hints at Fortnite's return.

Source : Twitter/@TimSweeneyEpic

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has hinted at a return of the Fortnite game to iOS in 2023, almost three years after the best-selling game was taken down from the App Store for breaking platform guidelines. In a tweet to celebrate the new year, Sweeney wrote, "Next year on iOS!", which was then followed by a picture of a Fortnite character looking up at fireworks that spell out 2023.

After Epic Games included a direct payment option in Fortnite that circumvented Apple's in-app purchasing system and broke App Store guidelines, the game was removed from the App Store in August 2020.

Next year on iOS!

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 31, 2022

The iPhone maker ultimately banned Fortnite from the App Store, placing the blame directly on Epic for violating its rules.

"Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result, their Fortnite app has been removed from the store," Apple said in a statement.

"Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple," it added.

Fortnite removal from the App Store led Epic Games to file a lawsuit against the tech giant.

"Three years later, both Epic Games and Apple are now appealing a court decision made in September 2021 that would have required Apple to allow developers to add in-app links to outside websites," the report said.

Meanwhile, Apple is likely to join the likes of Samsung and Oppo and launch a foldable iPhone soon. 

The first foldable iPhone could purportedly be called the “iPhone Fold” and it may be launched in 2025, as per media reports. The iPhone Fold is likely to come with OLED display.

(With inputs from IANS)