Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store has finally launched in the European Union, giving gamers the ability to access games on their iPhone without using the App Store.
After a lengthy and costly legal battle over payments and competing app storefronts, as well as issues with notarization, Epic Games has managed to bring a digital storefront to the App Store. The Epic Games Store, a competitor to the App Store, went live on Friday.
The Epic Games Store launches with a selection of games, including Fortnite, Rocket League digAnd Fall Guys.
More games will follow as Epic works to allow all developers to publish games and apps through the store in the future. In addition, Epic is also bringing its games to other independent mobile stores such as AltStore PAL.
Only EU users can install the Epic Games Store and its content, which Epic points out in its announcement. Epic acknowledges that the Digital Markets Act has enabled its availability in Europe, but continues to state that Apple “will continue to restrict all other iOS users outside of Europe from accessing Fortnite and Epic Games Store for iOS.”
“The tide is turning and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO and founder of Epic Games. “We are grateful to the European Commission for allowing us to open the Epic Games Store and enable us to offer our games to iOS users in the European Union.”
While “the battle is far from over,” Sweeney adds that the store’s opening is “a tangible step forward for developers and consumers who can benefit from competition and choice.”
