Hey there, tech lovers! Nuked here, bringing you some juicy news from the gaming universe. Guess who’s making a flashy comeback on iOS? That’s right, Fortnite is gearing up to storm back onto Apple devices, and the court just dropped the hammer on Apple’s sneaky moves. Buckle up!

Epic Games, led by the ever-determined Tim Sweeney, has announced they’re ready to push Fortnite back into the iOS App Store soon. This comes after a judge slammed Apple for trying to dodge a 2021 court order that was supposed to allow apps to offer alternative payment options outside Apple’s pricey system.

The backstory is wild. Apple was found in “willful violation” of the injunction, trying to sneak around the rules by charging extra fees and putting up intimidating screens to scare users away from using other payment methods. The judge called out Apple’s cover-up, calling it obvious and clear as day.

To make matters spicier, Apple’s top figures didn’t come out smelling like roses. The judge accused Apple’s VP of Finance of lying under oath and criticized CEO Tim Cook for knowingly ignoring the court’s order. This mess was so serious it got referred to the District Attorney to possibly explore criminal contempt charges.

But here’s the silver lining for gamers and developers alike: Epic plans to offer Fortnite players a choice between Apple’s payment system and their own cheaper Epic Direct Payment method. Back in 2020, when this option briefly appeared, about half the players jumped at the chance to save some cash by paying through Epic directly—now that’s what I call a win for consumer freedom!

Tim Sweeney called this ruling a huge victory for developers wanting to break free from Apple’s strict grip on payments. While Apple might still throw curveballs by rejecting submissions, this court decision sets the stage for a more open iOS ecosystem. So, whether you’re team Apple or team Epic, the game is definitely changing!