Epic Games Launches Rival App Store in Europe

Epic Games has just launched a new app store for iOS in the European Union, making it the first serious competitor to Apple’s App Store. This new venture will initially allow users to download Epic’s games, including the popular Fortnite, with plans to include other developers’ games starting in December.

This launch is a significant move stemming from new tech rules in the EU called the Digital Markets Act, or DMA. This regulation requires major tech companies to provide more access for competitors, allowing alternative app stores to operate in Europe.

Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, praised this launch as a chance to improve the mobile gaming space. He highlighted that more competition would lead to better prices and features for users. The Epic Games Store plans to take only a 12 percent cut from game sales, which is lower than the 30 percent that Apple typically charges.

In light of the new EU regulations, Apple has had to adjust its policies several times this year to avoid hefty fines, which could reach up to 10 percent of its overall revenue. Sweeney believes this change will pave the way for other countries to adopt similar regulations.

Andreas Schwab, a member of the European Parliament involved in drafting the DMA, sees this move as a clear indication that Europe can encourage competition among tech giants.

Apple has long dominated the iOS app market since launching its App Store 16 years ago, but developers have been increasingly frustrated with the fees and restrictions that Apple imposes.

Epic Games has committed substantial resources to challenge Apple legally over these practices. In 2020, Fortnite was removed from the App Store, leading to a legal battle that’s still ongoing. Epic believes these efforts are crucial for the future of all developers in the gaming industry.

While the Epic Games Store is officially available on iOS in Europe, installing it is said to be a complicated process, with users needing to navigate multiple steps. Epic claims this is a tactic by Apple to dissuade the use of alternative app stores.

As part of this launch, Epic is also partnering with several other app stores, including AltStore, which recently made moves to become an official alternative app store in the EU.

In a statement, Apple emphasizes its compliance with the DMA, asserting that they have made efforts to ensure new capabilities for users while safeguarding their privacy and security.