In a bold move to challenge the dominance of Apple and Google in the mobile app store market, Fortnite-creator Epic Games has launched its own app store. The Epic Games Store aims to provide users with an alternative to the established app stores run by tech giants, allowing them to directly access Epic’s games on their smartphones. This move comes after Epic’s years-long battle against Apple and Google’s strict control over app distribution on their platforms.
Epic Games has been at the forefront of legal battles and regulatory challenges to loosen the grip of Apple and Google on the sale of apps for smartphones. The company’s chief executive, Tim Sweeney, expressed excitement about the launch of the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android, enabled by Europe’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) law. This law has forced Apple to open up to app developers in Europe, but the US firm has not extended the same privileges elsewhere.
Fortnite, which was banned from iPhones and iPads in 2020 for attempting to circumvent Apple’s payment systems, is now making a return to these devices through the Epic Games Store. Despite losing its legal challenge to Apple’s app store fees in a US federal court, Epic remains determined to provide app developers with better revenue-sharing terms than Apple or Google.
Epic Games faces challenges in attracting app developers to its store, with Apple imposing obstacles such as a lengthy installation process and unfavorable conditions for cooperation. However, Epic has set a goal of reaching 100 million installs of its app store on Android and iOS devices by the end of the year. Steve Allison, head of the Epic Games Store, acknowledges the significant friction posed by Apple and Google but remains optimistic about the store’s potential.
Apart from Fortnite, the Epic Games Store also features popular titles like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, marking the beginning of Epic’s effort to bring its games back to various platforms worldwide. Sweeney emphasized that the fight for mobile app store freedom is ongoing, with the ultimate goal of having Fortnite available on iOS without Apple’s taxes. The launch of the Epic Games Store signifies a new chapter in the battle for greater freedom and choice in the mobile app store market.
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