Fortnite back for iPhones: Epic Games brings store to iOS and Android

The Epic Games Store is now available as an app for Android and iOS. This was announced by the games company on Friday. The launch on Android is global, on iOS only within the EU, as it is currently only possible to install other marketplaces on the iPhone here. Epic is also bringing Fortnite back to iOS. However, the provider also plans to offer the game for download via other app stores, including AltStore PAL and Aptoide.

In addition to Fortnite, only the two other game titles Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe are currently available in the Epic Games Store, in which Epic is involved as a publisher. There is also the Postparty tool in the Android store.

Epic wants an open platform - like on the PC

In a statement, Epic expressed its satisfaction at now also being present on mobile devices, "as has always been possible on open platforms such as PC and Mac". At the same time, the company criticized both Apple and Google for unnecessarily complicating the installation of other marketplaces with "an inferior multistep installation experience, confusing device settings and off-putting screens". They continue to fight against such developer restrictions by the platform operators.

Epic Games has been fighting with Apple and Google for years. While the gaming giant lost its major US antitrust lawsuit against Apple on almost all points, Epic subsequently won against Google. What specifically needs to change here in Android and the Google Play Store is currently being negotiated before a US court. The judge responsible has already threatened Google with "tearing down the barriers".

Expensive disputes with Apple and Google

The legal dispute with Apple is also still ongoing. Negotiations are currently underway in the USA regarding the form in which Apple must allow links to the providers' websites in apps.

The legal disputes have now cost Epic around 1 billion US dollars, Epic founder Tim Sweeney emphasized to US journalist Stephen Totilo – but it was worth it. Speaking to the US press, Sweeney also praised the Digital Markets Act in the EU, which stipulates the opening up of alternative app marketplaces. Apple could have turned iOS into a "fantastic open platform", Sweeney is quoted as saying by Wired – instead, the iPhone manufacturer made it "terrible". Apple's specifications for developers regarding alternative app distribution are currently also preventing other partners from offering their games in the mobile Epic Games Store.

(lbe)