Epic Games and Apple have been locked in a long-running dispute over the removal of Fortnite from the App Store. The two companies have failed to gain any ground in their legal battle, but the latest statement from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has sparked hopes that the game may make a return to iOS devices. On New Year's Eve, the CEO made a one-sentence reference to Apple's store, hinting that something could be on the horizon for iOS users.

The next day, Sweeney took to Twitter to confirm his comments by pinning a screenshot of Fortnite in a response to the thread. This sparked a flurry of speculation among internet users, with many speculating that the two companies had come to an agreement to restore the game to the App Store. Apple removed the game from their store in August 2020, citing a violation of their App Store guidelines. Epic Games responded by filing an antitrust lawsuit, claiming that Apple's policies had stifled competition.

The dispute has been ongoing since then, with no resolution in sight. However, this latest announcement from Epic Games is the first sign of progress in the conflict. The news has been welcomed by Fortnite fans all over the world, who have been eagerly awaiting the game's return on iOS devices. It is hoped that the two companies will be able to come to an agreement in the near future that will be beneficial for both sides.

The potential return of Fortnite to the App Store has been met with some skepticism, however. Apple's strict policies on digital distribution have been a source of controversy in the past and it is possible that the company may not be willing to make any concessions. If the two companies fail to reach an agreement, it is likely that the game will remain unavailable on iOS devices.

It remains to be seen whether Epic Games and Apple will be able to come to an agreement that will allow Fortnite to return to the App Store. While the news has been met with enthusiasm by fans, it is important to note that there has been no official confirmation yet and the future of the game on iOS remains uncertain.