Last week, Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite to the App Store in the United States. This followed a court ruling that stated Apple wasn’t allowed to charge a 27% commission on payments conducted through external payment services on the U.S. App Store. However, when it submitted the new version of Fortnite for app review, Epic Games didn’t hear back for quite some time. Tonight, Epic Games shared a letter that it says it received yesterday from Apple. This follows this mornings announcement that Apple had ‘blocked’ the launch of the new Fortnite update globally, which wasn’t necessarily the case. Instead, Apple simply didn’t want to touch the US version of Fortnite. Epic Games had bundled the two versions together, and Apple had then suggested that Epic Games submit the US and EU versions separately. In the letter shared, Apple stated the following: As you are well aware, Apple has previously denied requests to reinstate the Epic Games developer account, and we have informed you that Apple will not revisit that decision until after the U.S. litigation between the parties concludes. In our view, the same reasoning extends to returning Fortnite to the U.S. storefront of the App Store regardless of which Epic-related entity submits the app. If Epic believes that there is some factual or legal development that warrants further consideration of this position, please let us know in writing. In the meantime, Apple has determined not to take action on the Fortnite app submission until after the Ninth Circuit rules on our pending request for a partial stay of the new injunction. You can read the letter in full here. In short, Apple doesn’t want to take action until everything is fully settled involving the dispute. As a result of this, Epic Games has asked the courts to force Apple to allow Fortnite to relaunch on the U.S. App Store under the new rules. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.Epic Games CEO resubmits Fortnite to Apple App Review... againEpic Games CEO resubmits Fortnite to Apple App Review... again'There is no way a rapidly evolving multi-platform game like Fortnite can operate if platforms use their power or processes to obstruct.'May 15, 20252 Min ReadImage via Epic GamesEpic Games has resubmitted Fortnite to Apple App Review in the US after suggesting there was no reply to a previously submitted version.According to CEO Tim Sweeney, Fortnite was submitted to Apple for review on May 9. Yesterday, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Apple hadn't approved the game's release (thanks, VGC)."We need to release a weekly Fortnite update with new content this Friday, and all platforms must update simultaneously. So we have pulled the previous Fortnite version submitted to Apple App Review last Friday, and we have submitted a new version for review," the post read.Since May 10, Sweeney has been sharing daily updates on X, saying that there was "no news" from Apple, in response to people asking about the review status.Yesterday, an X user asked Sweeney how he "did not plan for this." The CEO response was as follows: "Our release planning relies on platforms supporting app developers like us releasing apps. There is no way a rapidly evolving multi-platform game like Fortnite can operate if platforms use their power or processes to obstruct."As spotted by VGC, according to the App Review guidelines, on average, 90 percent of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours by Apple.Epic and Apple are still battling over the app storeRelated:This week's news is the latest in a series of developments around a years-long legal battle between the two companies to reinstate Fortnite on iOS. In January 2024, the game became available in the European App Store again. Two months later, Epic claimed that its European account had been "terminated," which was a "serious violation" of Europe's Digital Markets Act. The account was reinstated the next day."This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the DMA and hold gatekeepers accountable," the company wrote in a statement at the time.Then, in June of the same year, a new law passed by Japanese parliament opened the door for Epic to submit Fortnite to Apple Japan's App Store. The bill is set to take effect in late 2025. Back in December, the developer also secured a deal to preinstall the game onto Android phones in UK and Spain."Fortnite will now return to iOS in Japan and UK next year, and EU this year! This is the new free world, from the point of view of app developers and users. It’s a big club and we ain't in it: The United States of America is still locked behind Apple's Iron Curtain," Sweeney said on X in June 2024.Disclosure: The author of this piece has previously contributed editorial work to the Epic Games Store News section.Related:Read more about:Top StoriesAppleEpic GamesDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

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Epic Games has withdrawn its initial submission for Fortnite to return to the iPhone App Store in the US, after Apple failed to approve the game for launch this week. Read more

Epic Games has once again submitted "Fortnite" to the U.S. App Store for review, after Apple seemingly ignored its previous submission for five days.Epic Games has resubmitted 'Fortnite' to the U.S. App Store for review.On May 9, after announcing its intentions a few days prior, Epic Games tried to get Fortnite back on the App Store by submitting the game for review. While most applications typically get reviewed within 24 hours, this was not the case with Fortnite. Instead, there were no developments in regards to the game's review process for more than 120 hours, or five days.Given that its request went unanswered for such a long time, Epic Games understandably decided to cancel its initial request for a review. Fortnite leaker Shiima revealed that Epic has submitted a second review request, with the company's CEO Tim Sweeney later confirming the details himself, MacRumors notes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The up-and-coming studio has lodged plans with Westminster City Council – also the scheme’s backer – for permission to demolish two single-storey adult care buildings on the site in Maida Vale and replace them with three new blocks. Bungalows at 291 Harrow Road and the neighbouring 1-2 Elmfield Way are currently used to house 13 people with varying needs. Associated communal and support spaces would also go under the plans, as would a temporary multi-use games area for which planning consent has lapsed. In their place, the practice would build three adjoining blocks to deliver new residential, commercial, cultural and sports space. A communal lounge and co-working facility would be provided for privately-owned homes, while a 230m² all-weather sports space would be created.Advertisement The scheme, which has been designed with landscape specialist Farrer Huxley would also include 272 cycle spaces and a roof garden for social care residents, families and staff. Carter Gregson Gray said its scheme ‘gathers people together and celebrates community … At its heart lies a garden designed for rest, play and conversation: a place of connection.’ Floor plan 291 Harrow Road (fourth plan) It said the central block in the V-shaped development would ‘provide generous light-filled homes for 24 residents with additional needs’. The multi-purpose, all-weather play space would ‘provide residents and the wider community with a high-quality accessible sports and leisure venue which takes pride of place’, added the practice. ‘It is imagined as a beacon for the people of the area.’ Meanwhile, wide pavements, rain gardens, trees and social spaces would be used with the ambition of ‘establishing a new urban character’.Advertisement The practice added: ‘As a backdrop to this, the architecture seeks to establish a quiet order to the site, driven by environmental ambitions and the experience of residents and passers-by. The buildings are robust, precise and delicate, reflecting the predominant materiality of the area while introducing a new tradition in Westminster.’