The highly anticipated return of Fortnite to mobile devices in Europe has finally graced us with its presence, thanks to the grand arrival of the Epic Games Store app. This momentous occasion not only brings back the beloved game, but also serves as a monumental shift in the ongoing battle between Epic Games and tech titans Apple and Google.
For our friends across the pond in the UK who are iPhone users, the wait for Fortnite’s return will unfortunately continue until next year. But fear not, for the arrival of the Epic Games Store means that European gamers now have access to one of the premier third-party app stores on the iPhone. Alongside Fortnite, the store will also feature a lineup of other fan favorites such as Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, providing a plethora of gaming options for mobile users.
The grand unveiling of the Epic Games Store comes in the wake of a series of legal and regulatory disputes between Epic and the tech giants over app store control and commission fees. The implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the European Union has played a pivotal role in shaking up the mobile app market, compelling Apple to allow European iPhone users to download apps from stores not operated by the company. As a result, Epic Games can now offer its store and Fortnite on Apple devices in the EU, with plans to expand to Android worldwide, with the exception of the UK, where iPhone users will have to wait until 2025 for the launch.
In a bold and daring move, Epic Games seized the opportunity to call out Apple and Google for their alleged “anti-competitive” practices, criticizing the companies for posing obstacles to users’ access to alternative app store platforms. The company highlighted the arduous process of installing the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android, placing the blame squarely on the intentional barriers created by Apple and Google. Despite the challenges, Epic Games remains steadfast in its mission to fight against the monopolistic terms imposed by the tech giants and is dedicated to creating a superior app store experience for developers and consumers alike.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressed his profound gratitude to the European Commission for making it possible to launch the Epic Games Store and offer their games to iOS users in the European Union. Sweeney emphasized that this move signifies a monumental shift in the mobile ecosystem, opening up new opportunities for competition and choice. With the launch of the Epic Games Store, European iOS users and all Android users can now revel in a wide array of games, a semblance of the experience on open platforms like PC and Mac.
As part of the launch, Epic Games also revealed that its games will be available on other third-party app stores accessible on iOS in the EU, further solidifying their presence in the mobile gaming market. While Google has opted to remain silent on the launch, the response from Apple is still yet to be seen.
This exhilarating development in the mobile gaming industry represents a seismic shift in the power dynamics between tech giants and developers. With the Epic Games Store’s entry into the market, mobile gamers in Europe can anticipate a new era of competition and innovation, paving the way for a more diverse and dynamic app store landscape.
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