# Epic Games vs. Apple: The Ongoing Fortnite Saga
The confrontation between Epic Games and Apple persists, with fresh developments shedding light on the intricacies of app store regulations and corporate governance. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has vocally conveyed his dissatisfaction regarding Apple’s approach to Fortnite’s re-entry into the App Store. As per Sweeney, Apple has left the latest Fortnite submission in a state of uncertainty, neither accepting nor rejecting it, which endangers the game’s significant upcoming update set for this Friday.
## Background: A Legal Tug-of-War
The enduring struggle between Epic Games and Apple traces back to 2020, when Epic sought to bypass Apple’s in-app purchase system by introducing its own payment option within Fortnite. This action resulted in Apple pulling Fortnite from the App Store, igniting a prominent legal clash that culminated in a ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in 2021. While the judge mandated Apple to amend its App Store policies, she also clarified that Apple was not obliged to reinstatement Fortnite, as Epic had breached the terms of its developer agreement.
Following the ruling, Epic Games promptly submitted a revised version of Fortnite for Apple’s approval on May 9, 2025. However, after a five-day wait for a response, Epic rescinded that submission and filed an updated version to correspond with the impending update. Sweeney’s tweets have emphasized the critical nature of the situation, as he mentioned the importance of simultaneous updates across all platforms to ensure a seamless gaming experience for users.
## The Silence from Apple
Apple’s guidelines indicate that 90% of app submissions are generally reviewed within 24 hours, rendering the current silence regarding Fortnite’s submission particularly striking. This absence of communication has sparked speculation that the scenario may not be merely a delay, but rather a strategic impasse between the two companies. Sweeney has highlighted that the lack of a clear response from Apple raises doubts about the company’s intentions concerning Fortnite’s reinstatement.
## A Double Standard?
Adding to the intricacies of the situation, Sweeney has pointed out cases where imitation versions of Fortnite have surfaced on the App Store, only to be deleted after he drew attention to them. This brings to light concerns about the standards Apple employs for app approval and whether those policies are consistently enforced. Sweeney’s tweets have spotlighted the irony of Apple permitting subpar imitations of Fortnite while excluding the original game from the platform.
## The Future of Fortnite on iOS
As the deadline for the forthcoming update looms, Fortnite enthusiasts on iOS find themselves in a predicament. Sweeney has not revealed what actions Epic Games may pursue if Apple continues to be unresponsive. The situation has emerged as a key topic in discussions surrounding app store monopolies, developer rights, and consumer access to major games.
In conclusion, the saga between Epic Games and Apple is far from resolved. With high stakes for both companies and their respective user bases, the outcome of this ongoing conflict is likely to have enduring effects on the gaming industry and app store policies overall. As the time ticks down to the scheduled update, all attention is on Apple to determine whether it will finally permit Fortnite to make its long-anticipated return to the App Store.
