Fortnite return uncertain as Epic Games criticises UK’s new digital regulation

Epic Games has deeply criticised the United Kingdom’s newly announced digital markets regulations, casting doubt on the potential return of Fortnite to iOS devices in the region.

In a blog post published by the company, Fortnite-parent company called the latest regulatory update from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) “bleak news,” and expressed disappointment over what it sees as vague and insufficient provisions in the newly implemented Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act.

Earlier, the CMA concluded a lengthy investigation and recommended that both Apple and Google be designated as companies with “strategic market status.”

This designation subjects them to a series of new regulatory obligations.

 These include allowing app developers to direct users to alternative payment options, increasing transparency in app store rankings, and submitting to CMA oversight for up to five years.

However, Epic Games has argued that these changes do not go far enough.

 Specifically, the company said that due to the current framework, it cannot bring the Epic Games Store to iOS in the UK this year. 

As a result, Fortnite’s return to the iOS platform in the UK remains uncertain.

The company contrasted the UK’s approach with recent policy shifts in Japan and Brazil, which Epic claims will soon allow it to reintroduce Fortnite and launch its games store in those markets.

It also expressed frustration over the CMA’s vague position on anti-steering rules, regulations that would prevent Apple and Google from restricting how apps direct users to external payment methods.