Apple blocks Epic request to restore Fortnite on iPhone in South Korea Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Apple blocks Epic request to restore Fortnite on iPhone in South Korea UPDATE: Sweeney blasts move as "vindictive and nonsensical". News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 10 Sep 2021 36 comments UPDATE 3.55pm UK: Epic boss Tim Sweeney has branded Apple's continued blocking of its developer tools as "petty and ridiculous". It comes after Epic asked for its developer access to be restored so it could relaunch Fortnite - including its direct-to-Epic payment method - in South Korea following a law change there. More on all that below. "Like Apple's attempt to retaliate against all Unreal Engine customers, their refusal to restore Epic's Fortnite developer account is vindictive and nonsensical," Sweeney wrote on Twitter. "We're fighting Apple over their iOS terms, but this ban blocks Fortnite from Mac too. Nobody's arguing about Mac. "Mac is a highly secure open platform, like iOS should be. Mac users are free to install software from third party sources like Steam and Epic Games Store, as iOS users should be. Apple holding Mac users hostage to an iOS dispute is petty and ridiculous." ORIGINAL STORY 11.20am UK: Last night, Fortnite maker Epic Games asked Apple to restore its iOS developer access in South Korea, following a key law change in the country. The new legislation, due to take effect in South Korea next week, will see app store providers forced to allow developers to take payment directly - the issue that got Fortnite kicked off the app store in the first place. Responding to Epic's latest request to return, Apple said... no. Watch on YouTube Last night, Epic publicised its request to Apple via a post to the Fortnite Twitter account, which has 13.3m followers. "Epic has asked Apple to restore our Fortnite developer account," the statement read. "Epic intends to re-release Fortnite on iOS in Korea offering both Epic payment and Apple payment side-by-side in compliance with the new Korean law." But Reuters subsequently reported Apple had simply declined. The new South Korean law states a developer should be able to take payment directly, without using Apple's payment systems which see it take a cut. But, of course, there's nothing in the law that says Apple as a platform holder is required to allow certain companies onto its app store in the first place. "We would welcome Epic's return to the App Store if they agree to play by the same rules as everyone else," Apple told Reuters in a brief statement. There's still no word on an outcome of the main Epic vs. Apple trial which took place earlier this year - or when one might be expected. Epic has not yet responded to Apple's new refusal, but Eurogamer has asked for comment. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store