Apple believes that developers “owe” them for their apps being on the App Store. This is why the company has taken a massive cut from app sales or in-app purchases made through the App Store. But is Apple’s App Store all it’s cracked up to be? This is not the case, according to Tim Sweeney, who recently called Apple about the Fortnite fakes listed in the App Store.
Fake Fortnite games on the App Store
In a series of posts on X, Sweeney poked fun at Apple for listing Fortnite fakes on the App Store. In one of the posts, the Epic Games CEO points at a game called “Fort Battle Royale Epic Shoot.” The game was later taken down, but Sweeney spotted another fake. This one had the name “Epic Survival Battle Royale 3D Clash Squad Battle Royale 3D.”
According to Sweeney’s brutal post, “Apple has taken down Fort Battle Royale Epic Shoot. Players looking for a fake adware version of Fortnite on the App Store should instead try Epic Survival Battle Royale 3D Clash Squad Battle Royale 3D, approved by Apple.”
That being said, Apple isn’t alone in dealing with fakes on the App Store. Companies like Google have also been accused of allowing developers to submit apps that are clear ripoffs. Sometimes, these apps are legit but use a questionable name to get attention. However, more often than not, many of these apps are fakes or are stuffed with so many ads that they are unusable or unplayable. In even worse cases, some are malware in disguise.
It’s not surprising that there are many Fortnite fakes listed on the App Store. Ever since Fortnite was removed from the App Store, many iOS users have been seeking alternatives. Unscrupulous developers have seized the opportunity with their own copycats. Considering how much Fortnite made during its peak, many are clamoring for a slice of that pie.
Fortnite will return—eventually?
That being said, following a lengthy lawsuit that cost Epic $1 billion, Fortnite is set to return to the App Store in an official capacity. However, its return appears to have been delayed. According to Epic, it submitted Fortnite to Apple on the 9th of May, but it hasn’t been approved. The company later submitted a newer version with new content based on Fortnite’s weekly updates, but that hasn’t been approved either.
