Fortnite could very well return to iOS in 2023, at least that’s what Tim Sweeney is implying. In a Happy New Years tweet, Epic’s boss announced that the battle royale will be making its way back to iPhone and iPad this year – technically it’s been since last May, via Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming. But we imagine Sweeney is talking about the native version being distributed on the App Store…unless?
Next year on iOS!
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 31, 2022
iOS 17 should actually allow (initially European) users to install applications outside of the App Store under the implementation of the DMA (Digital Markets Act). Apple has until March 2024 to comply with these new rules, which would allow Epic or any publisher to freely distribute their applications.
According to Bloomberg, Apple allows apps to be installed outside of the App Store
But since we don’t know how Apple intends to respect the DMA, and given the geographic limitations of that opening (unless Apple approves that opening anywhere in the world), it’s not certain that Tim Sweeney is pointing it out. He may be hoping to find common ground with Apple in the ongoing court case with Epic. Or maybe it’s just a joke!