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Fortnite Not Coming to iOS in Japan as Epic Games CEO Accuses Apple of 'Obstruction and Lawbreaking'

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Epic Games is not going to bring Fortnite to iOS in Japan as promised because of the fees imposed by Apple's new App Store rules, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said on social media. Sweeney complained that Apple did not comply with Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act "honestly" and instead "launched another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking in gross disrespect to the government and people of Japan."

fortnite-apple-logo-2.5.jpg

Back in 2024 when the MSCA passed, Sweeney said that Epic would launch Fortnite in Japan in late 2025. He made the announcement before he was aware of how Apple planned to comply with the MSCA.

Sweeney accused Apple of charging "competition-crushing" junk fees, including a five percent fee on revenue from apps distributed through alternate app marketplaces. Epic Games would need to pay Apple a five percent fee on all revenue generated via game purchases made through an Epic Games Store in Japan, or 15 percent on digital purchases through a web link if the Fortnite app were to be distributed through the App Store.
Obviously, real competition won't happen, and consumers won't benefit, when Apple abuses its position between users and competitors to obstruct honest dealing between them. This is another sad day in the history of relationships between platform makers, developers, and consumers, and we will be raising our complaints with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.
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Sweeney said that Epic Games plans to raise complaints with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.

Apple says that it worked with Japanese regulators when establishing its new rules to comply with the MSCA, so it is not clear if Epic Games will be able to persuade Japan to implement more stringent restrictions.

Japan's rules allow Apple to be compensated for its intellectual property, and Japan's interoperability rules allow Apple to refuse requests in situations where privacy and security would be compromised. Along with allowing for alternative app marketplaces, the MSCA adds support for alternate payment methods and allows Japanese users to set new functionality for the iPhone's Side Button.

Epic Games was able to bring the Epic Games Store to the European Union, but Apple does have a 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee for marketplaces there, too. The Core Technology Fee will transition to a five percent Core Technology Commission for all developers in the EU starting on January 1, 2026, so the fees will be very similar to the Japan fees.

Article Link: Fortnite Not Coming to iOS in Japan as Epic Games CEO Accuses Apple of 'Obstruction and Lawbreaking'
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/18/fortnite-japan-fee-complaints/
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I mean, i am tired of this stuff too, but, in fairness, this is in a different legislation and he has the right to complain/file lawsuit, and if Apple has worked out their compensation with the Japanese regulators, then nothing to worry, he's gonna get shut up.
Will be interesting to see what the US appeals court, or better the original court, comes up with for compensation for Apple, he might have a bitter pill to swallow (at least I hope so).

But at the end of it, if there ever is an end, Karma will bite him, one way or another
 
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MacRumors said:


Epic Games is not going to bring Fortnite to iOS in Japan as promised because of the fees imposed by Apple's new App Store rules, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said on social media. Sweeney complained that Apple did not comply with Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act "honestly" and instead "launched another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking in gross disrespect to the government and people of Japan."

fortnite-apple-logo-2.5.jpg

Back in 2024 when the MSCA passed, Sweeney said that Epic would launch Fortnite in Japan in late 2025. He made the announcement before he was aware of how Apple planned to comply with the MSCA.

Sweeney accused Apple of charging "competition-crushing" junk fees, including a five percent fee on revenue from apps distributed through alternate app marketplaces. Epic Games would need to pay Apple a five percent fee on all revenue generated via game purchases made through an Epic Games Store in Japan, or 15 percent on digital purchases through a web link if the Fortnite app were to be distributed through the App Store.

Sweeney said that Epic Games plans to raise complaints with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.

Apple says that it worked with Japanese regulators when establishing its new rules to comply with the MSCA, so it is not clear if Epic Games will be able to persuade Japan to implement more stringent restrictions.

Japan's rules allow Apple to be compensated for its intellectual property, and Japan's interoperability rules allow Apple to refuse requests in situations where privacy and security would be compromised. Along with allowing for alternative app marketplaces, the MSCA adds support for alternate payment methods and allows Japanese users to set new functionality for the iPhone's Side Button.

Epic Games was able to bring the Epic Games Store to the European Union, but Apple does have a 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee for marketplaces there, too. The Core Technology Fee will transition to a five percent Core Technology Commission for all developers in the EU starting on January 1, 2026, so the fees will be very similar to the Japan fees.

Article Link: Fortnite Not Coming to iOS in Japan as Epic Games CEO Accuses Apple of 'Obstruction and Lawbreaking'
Click to expand...
Maybe instead of saying that Apple and Google are “anti-competitive” because they make phones and don’t let people build apps for them without getting a percentage.. epic could just make their own phone, os and App Store and choose to actually be “competitive” instead of using everyone else’s platform then saying it isn’t good enough?
 
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jarman92 said:
So Apple gets $99/year from Epic while Sweeny makes billions off Apple's platform using Apple's IP? Be serious.
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Hi! Looks like you didn't read my message or are unfamiliar with Apple products. Apple makes computers and they call them Mac. On the Mac, developers can distribute certified apps from their website or the Mac App Store. This is happening right now with over 200 millions devices and Apple currently agrees with this. Apple also makes money selling Mac hardware. Unfortunately there is no data to show but according to the top websites in the world, it appears the vast majority of users interact with Apple devices through 3rd party apps and services like YouTube, Google Docs, chatGPT, etc. In addition, users go to websites like macrumors. Yes, these are being viewed through an Apple devices, but in my opinion, Apple does not deserver 30% of macrumors revenue just because I am viewing it through their device. Very similar to a TV manufacturer saying 'you're watching the movie on our TV, give us 30%.' Of course, they can do what they want, but I don't think it's right. You disagree, no problem. I hope they bring the Mac choice to iOS
 
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zahuh said:
Hi! Looks like you didn't read my message or are unfamiliar with Apple products. Apple makes computers and they call them Mac. On the Mac, developers can distribute certified apps from their website or the Mac App Store. This is happening right now with over 200 millions devices and Apple currently agrees with this. Apple also makes money selling Mac hardware. Unfortunately there is no data to show but according to the top websites in the world, it appears the vast majority of users interact with Apple devices through 3rd party apps and services like YouTube, Google Docs, chatGPT, etc. In addition, users go to websites like macrumors. Yes, these are being viewed through an Apple devices, but in my opinion, Apple does not deserver 30% of macrumors revenue just because I am viewing it through their device. Very similar to a TV manufacturer saying 'you're watching the movie on our TV, give us 30%.' Of course, they can do what they want, but I don't think it's right. You disagree, no problem. I hope they bring the Mac choice to iOS
Click to expand...

I don't think there's any defending the 30% Apple tax. It is too much for even me, an Apple fanboy/apologist, and I really think Apple needs to look at that. It's juicy, juicy profit, but it really taints their image because it's effectively passed through to us as consumers. Let's remember that developers don't pay this fee. We do!

That said your analogy isn't quite right either. A more accurate analogy might be the console ecosystems. I don't think anyone argues that Nintendo, Sony or Xbox should distribute games for free.

With iOS, Apple provides the OS, dev tools, SDKs, distribution, delivery, credit card fees, secure payment handling, and the audience of millions of users. So - Apple does deserve some revenue to cover this along with a reasonable profit.

I really like buying from the AppStore because I don't have to put my CC into some sketchy website, returns/cancelations are easy and it is SUPER convenient. I wouldn't buy nearly as much if I had to go off to some 3rd-party to buy or subscribe to an app.
 
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