The video game Fortnite from Epic Games was not available on Apple platforms for iPhone devices in the European Union and the United States on Friday.
Epic Games stated that access to Fortnite through the iOS operating system and the App Store will be blocked worldwide until Apple unblocks the game.
Epic Games did not explain the reason for the blocking, but Apple said it asked Epic to resubmit the app update without including the store in the US, so as not to affect Fortnite in other regions.
“We have not taken any action to remove the active version of Fortnite from alternative marketplaces,” said an Apple spokesperson.
Epic Games, an American studio supported by the Chinese company Tencent, is one of the largest game studios in the world. Fortnite was launched in 2017, and its "battle royale" format instantly became popular, attracting millions of players.
Since 2020, Epic Games has been in a legal dispute with Apple because the company believes Apple’s practice of charging up to a 30% commission on in-app payments violates US antitrust law.
Apple banned Fortnite from its store in 2020 but allowed the game to return last year after pressure from the European Union on big tech companies to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
Also last year, Apple approved the Epic Games Marketplace app on iPhone and iPad in Europe.
Earlier this month, Epic Games also won a court case against Apple.