Epic Games Expands Mobile Presence with New Store Launch
Six years ago, Epic Games made waves by launching mobile versions of its popular game Fortnite for Android and iOS. However, the company soon found itself embroiled in a legal battle after intentionally violating Apple and Google’s app store rules by offering an alternate payment method. Both tech giants promptly removed Fortnite from their respective stores, igniting a long-running dispute.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has shifted significantly. Apple has implemented major changes to iOS in the European Union in response to the Digital Markets Act, while Google faces increased regulatory scrutiny. Seizing this moment, Epic Games has launched a mobile version of the Epic Games Store for both Android and iOS. This new store features Epic titles like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe, with plans to add third-party titles soon.
Challenges and Opportunities
In a blog post announcing the new Epic Games Store mobile apps, Epic expressed its dissatisfaction with the current process for installing third-party app stores on mobile devices. The company criticized Apple and Google for creating “intentionally poor-quality experiences” filled with multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens. Epic remains committed to fighting these “anticompetitive terms” in courts and working with regulators worldwide.
For now, only users in the European Union can install the Epic Games Store or other third-party app stores on iPhones. This limitation does not apply to Android users, as Google has always allowed third-party app stores and installations from sources other than the Play Store. Even after Fortnite was removed from the Play Store, Android users could still download it via an Epic Games app from the Epic website.
Global Reach and Future Plans
Despite these challenges, Epic is pushing forward with its mobile ambitions. The Epic Games Store for Android is available worldwide from the Epic Games website, while the iOS version is currently limited to the EU. Additionally, Epic is making its own mobile games available on other third-party mobile app stores. For example, Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys are already accessible on AltStore PAL for European iOS devices. Plans are also in place to bring these games to Aptioide for iOS in the EU and ONE Store for Android soon.
This expansion marks a significant step for Epic Games as it seeks to replicate the success of its Windows-based Epic Games Store on mobile platforms. By offering a broader range of games and challenging the status quo set by Apple and Google, Epic aims to create a more competitive and diverse gaming ecosystem for mobile users worldwide.