Epic has announced that the Epic Games Store is now available for download on Android devices worldwide and iPhones within the European Union. This new store offers first-party games from Epic such as FortniteFall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe.
This will be the first time Fortnite will be available natively on mobile since 2020, after Apple and Google pulled one of the best battle royale games from their stores. While users could technically access the game through cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, Epic’s return to mobile will make things a lot easier.
Fortnite isn’t the only exciting game on the Epic Games Store. Fall Guys will make its native mobile debut after its initial release in 2020 for PS4 and Windows, followed by ports for PS5, Switch, and Xbox in 2022. Rocket League Sideswipe will also be available to download. While there are no official hints from Epic about future mobile releases, we wouldn’t be surprised if other iconic games like Madden NFL or Need for Speed also appear on the store.
Unfortunately, there is a small complication for iOS users. The European Union’s Digital Markets Act ensures that third parties can operate on a “gatekeeper platform” such as the App Store in certain situations. This has paved the way for Epic to release its store to EU users, although Apple continues to block the release of the Epic Games Store (EGS) in all other regions.
While the EGS will be available to all compatible Android devices worldwide, Epic has provided instructions on how users can install the store on their mobile phone. Epic states that this is because the process is “lengthy as Apple and Google intentionally introduce inferior installation experiences riddled with multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens.” Epic further states that it continues to “fight in court” and work with regulators worldwide to remove Apple and Google’s “anti-competitive terms.”
Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic Games, said of the launch of EGS on mobile: “The tide is turning and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition. We are grateful to the European Commission for allowing us to launch the Epic Games Store and enable us to offer our games to iOS users in the European Union. Now European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games as they have always been able to on open platforms like PC and Mac.”
Epic has also announced that it will work with third-party mobile app stores to bring its games to any marketplace “that offers great terms to developers.” This means that Epic Games will launch on AltStore PAL for iOS users in the EU. Meanwhile, Epic has confirmed that it plans to bring its games to Aptoide’s iOS store in the EU and the ONE Store on Android.
Epic says it will also try to bring its games to other stores around the world. Sweeney says, “The battle is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers, who can start to benefit from competition and choice.”
Are you excited for Fortnite’s return to mobile? Then you’ll definitely want to know more about the leaked Fortnite Kingdom Hearts crossover. And don’t forget to equip yourself with these fun new Fortnite Star Wars skins, too.
