Epic Games Wins Again Against Apple as Elon Musk’s xAI Joins App Store Antitrust Battle

Author: Zamal Uddin

Sydney, Australia – The high-stakes legal battle between Epic Games and Apple has taken another major turn. Epic has secured yet another courtroom victory — this time in Australia — and gained an unexpected ally: Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI, which is now preparing its own lawsuit against Apple over App Store monopoly allegations.

Epic Games vs Apple 2025: The Ongoing Antitrust War

The dispute began in 2020 when Epic bypassed Apple’s in-app payment system in Fortnite to avoid the 30% commission fee. Apple responded by removing the game from the App Store, triggering a global legal fight over app store competition and developer rights.

Epic’s latest win came from an Australian court ruling that found Apple and Google guilty of using their app store dominance to restrict competition by forcing developers to use their payment systems. The decision clears the way for Fortnite and the Epic Games Store to return to iOS in Australia, with other regions potentially following.

Why the Ruling Matters for Developers and Gamers

For developers: More freedom to choose payment systems and reduced reliance on platform-controlled revenue models.
For gamers: Greater choice, potentially lower prices, and improved features from developers who keep more of their earnings.

Epic had already scored a US court victory that allowed Fortnite back onto iOS in 2024, where it quickly reclaimed the #1 spot in the App Store’s action game category.

Elon Musk’s xAI Takes Aim at Apple

While Epic’s fight has centered on gaming and app store fees, Musk’s xAI is targeting Apple’s AI app rankings. Musk claims that since Apple partnered with OpenAI in 2024, it has been manipulating App Store algorithms to favor OpenAI’s ChatGPT over rival AI apps — making it “impossible” for competitors to reach the top position.

If proven in court, these allegations could expand the scope of global antitrust scrutiny on Apple, affecting AI startups and app visibility worldwide.

Industry Impact and Legal Outlook

Experts suggest these cases could be as transformative as the Microsoft antitrust battle of the early 2000s, potentially forcing Apple to open its ecosystem and create a fairer marketplace.
However, analysts warn that Apple can still adapt its policies to comply with rulings while protecting profits, meaning any changes may be gradual.

Epic has confirmed plans to relaunch Fortnite on iOS in Australia soon, with potential expansions into more countries if legal conditions allow. Musk’s xAI lawsuit is expected to be filed in the coming weeks, setting the stage for another tech industry legal showdown.

Quick Facts – Epic Games vs Apple 2025

Reason for lawsuit: Epic accuses Apple of monopolistic App Store policies and unfair 30% commission fees.
Australian court ruling: Found Apple and Google guilty of blocking competition, allowing Fortnite’s iOS return.
Elon Musk’s role: xAI plans to sue Apple over AI app ranking favoritism toward OpenAI.
Potential global impact: Could reshape app store policies, making them more competitive and transparent.
Fortnite iOS return: Coming to Australia first, other regions possible with similar legal wins.