Apple Approves Epic Games Store in EU After Public Complaints

After facing rejection from Apple for its Epic Games Store in the European Union, the gaming company has finally received approval in a turn of events.

On Friday morning, the Epic Games Newsroom took to social media to express their frustration over Apple's repeated rejection of their notarization submission for the Epic Games Store. The company accused Apple of violating E.U. law by claiming that the design and position of Epic’s ‘Install’ button was too similar to Apple’s ‘Get’ button, and that their ‘In-app purchases’ label resembled the App Store’s ‘In-App Purchases’ label.

The posts quickly gained traction on social media, garnering over 811,400 views and 5,000 likes, as the gaming community rallied behind Epic Games in support.

Resolution and Official Announcement

Following the uproar on social media, Epic Games shared an update that their previously rejected notarization submission for the Epic Games Store had been accepted by Apple. The news was confirmed through a statement from the Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, who expressed relief that the development was back on track.

Apple’s Response and Regulatory Compliance

While Apple has approved the Epic Games Store, the tech giant has requested Epic Games to ensure that their Marketplace app is less similar to the Apple App Store in the future. This move comes in the backdrop of a yearslong battle between Epic Games and app store companies like Apple and Google, over revenue sharing and market dominance.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Investigation

The approval of the Epic Games Store comes amidst an investigation by the European Union into Apple's compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The E.U. commission had raised concerns over the Apple App Store's policies, alleging that it restricts app developers from being fully independent.

With the Epic Games Store now approved in the E.U., it marks a significant development in the ongoing saga between Epic Games and tech giants, setting the stage for potential changes in the app store landscape.