Nvidia & Epic Games Revive Fortnite on iPhones – Get Ready for the Cloud Gaming Fix
In a move that’s sure to make both gamers and Apple executives sweat, Nvidia Corp and Epic Games announced on Thursday that Fortnite will be back on iPhones in the “near future.” The comeback is baked into Nvidia’s GeForce NOW streaming service, sidestepping Apple’s no‑go zone on in‑app purchases.
What Went Wrong Before?
- August 2023: Epic drops its own billing system to try a new payment route.
- Apple calls it a breach of its App Store rules and pulls Fortnite from the store.
- Epic files a lawsuit, accusing Apple of bullying its own competitors.
The drama was pure public relations firefight. But now the power players have found a loophole: deliver the game through Safari, Apple’s web browser – which ignores the App Store’s cash‑collection demands.
GeForce NOW: The Cloud‑Powered Path Forward
Nvidia’s GeForce NOW is the king of cloud gaming. It runs games from massive data centres and streams them to your device. On iPhones and iPads, the service is now in a “test version” that requires a special Apple‑approved game pad. This pad attaches to the phone, giving you physical buttons and a joystick that feels like a console controller.
For the 5 million subscribers already on board, this means you can portend titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider straight onto iPhones.
Fortnite Makes the Cut (Without a Controller)
Phil Eisler, Nvidia’s cloud gaming mastermind, guarantees a touch‑friendly version of Fortnite. The can’t-be‑missed game will launch on Safari, letting you dive into the battle royale WITHOUT the need for that clunky game pad. “We’re working to enable a touch‑friendly version of ‘Fortnite,’ which will delay availability of the game,” he wrote in a blog post.
Price Tag? It’s a Steal
The subscription costs $4.99 per month (incl. $7). You can also grab a six‑month deal for $24.95. A tiny price for a liberation from Apple’s thumbing grip.
In short, you’re about to see a Fortnite that’s been freed from the App Store cage and is ready to stream straight onto your iPhone. Stay tuned and grab that game pad (or your finger) – the battle is about to resume!
