Apple and Epic may be fighting it out in court, but it appears a path has been cleared for Fortnite to return to iOS devices.
The BBC has discovered the popular game will make its way back to iOS devices via a version of Nvidia’s GeForce, a cloud gaming service that will run in the iOS version of Safari. Because the service will be browser-based, and not installed via the App Store, Apple will not be able to charge its usual fee.
Finding a way to get Fortnite back on iOS devices is likely a big priority for Epic. As the BBC points out, 116 million Fortnite players played on iOS. Even worse for the company, 76 million of those players only played on iOS.
The company had previously tried to get the court to grant an injunction preventing Apple from removing Fortnite from the App Store. A judge sided with Apple however, and pointed out the hypocrisy of Epic’s argument.
The judge made the point that Epic cannot claim Apple is hurting its business by removing Fortnite from the App Store, when it was Epic’s decision to break the App Store rules that caused harm to itself. Had Epic continued paying the App Store fees while challenging Apple in court, the company would have been reimbursed those fees if it won its case, essentially costing it nothing to continue with the status quo while the courts decided. Instead, Epic chose the more drastic route of breaking the App Store’s rules and forcing Apple’s response.
The end result has been up to 76 million users potentially cut off from their favorite game, and Epic cut off from a substantial source of income. As a result, Nvidia’s solution will likely be a welcome option for company and customers alike.
