Apple Reinstates ‘Fortnite’ Maker Epic Games’ Developer Account in Europe After Dispute

Epic Games said Apple (AAPL) reinstated the “Fortnite” game maker’s developer account in Sweden after terminating it amid a dispute, allowing Epic Games to proceed with plans to launch a competing app store in Europe.

Earlier in the week, Epic said Apple had terminated its Epic Games Sweden AB developer account in retaliation for Epic’s plan to launch its Epic Game Store on Apple’s iOS in Europe.

Epic said that the move by Apple violated Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney posted on social media platform X that following “a swift inquiry” by the European Commission, Apple told the Commission and Epic “that it would relent and restore our access to bring back Fortnite and launch Epic Games Store in Europe under the DMA law.” Sweeney called it the “first major victory” for the DMA.

The company added that what happened “sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable.”

Epic said that it will be moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Game Store and “bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe. Onward!”

Apple said in a statement that “following conversations with Epic, they have committed to follow the rules, including our DMA policies. As a result, Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program.” 

Shares of Apple finished 1% higher at $170.73 Friday. They’ve lost about 8% of their value so far this year.