Epic Games Brings Fortnite Back to iOS with New App Store

Tencent-Backed Epic Games Brings Fortnite Back On The iPhone, This Time With An Entire App Store After Its 4-Year-Long Battle With Apple - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Tencent-backed Epic Games has brought back the popular game Fortnite on the iPhone, along with an entire app store, which is now available for download in the European Union and Android devices globally. This comes after a four-year-long legal battle with Apple Inc. AAPL, marking a win for the game studio, with EU's Digital Markets Act forcing Apple's hand. What Happened: Epic Games announced on Friday the plans to allow all developers to launch their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future. The games will also be available on independent mobile stores, including AltStore PAL. Amid the launch, Epic Games criticized Apple Inc. AAPL and Google by Alphabet Inc. GOOGL GOOG for the "lengthy" installation process on iOS and Android, which includes multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens. Epic Games also noted that Apple is still blocking iOS users outside of Europe from accessing Fortnite and the Epic Games Store for iOS. "We are continuing to fight in courts and work with regulators around the globe to eliminate the anticompetitive terms that Apple and Google impose on developers and consumers, so we can build a better store for everyone," the note read. Apart from Fortnite, the Epic Games Store also has popular games like Rocket League Sideswipe, and the new "Fall Guys" for mobile. Epic Games is partnering with third-party mobile app stores to bring their games to any marketplace. They have started by launching their games on AltStore PAL for iOS users in the European Union and have plans to bring their games to Aptoide's iOS store in the EU and ONE Store on Android. See Also: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Highlights Nvidia As Major AI Player In Now Deleted Video: 'That's Not A Stock Recommendation' "The fight is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can begin to benefit from competition and choice," said Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder of Epic Games. Why It Matters: This development follows a series of disputes between Epic Games and Apple. In July, Epic Games accused Apple of obstructing its efforts to establish a games store on iPhones and iPads in Europe. Apple had twice denied Epic Games' submission to launch the Epic Games Store, citing similarities in the design of certain buttons and labels to those used by the App Store. However, Apple later approved the marketplace app of Epic Games for iPhones and iPads in Europe. This move came amid a continuing conflict between the two tech giants. Furthermore, Epic Games' move to Android devices also had its challenges. Google detailed the potential costs and implications of allowing third-party app stores such as the Epic Games Store to operate within the Google Play Store. The integration would require 12 to 18 months and between $60 million to $137 million for building and maintaining the necessary technical infrastructure. Read Next: Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt Blames Work From Home, Flexible Hours for Falling Behind OpenAI, Praises Elon Musk's Leadership: 'Look At What He Gets Out Of People' Photo courtesy: Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Fortnite is back on iPhones and Android through Epic Games Store: List of games coming to mobiles - Times of India

Fortnite-maker Epic Games has officially launched its Epic Games Store on iOS devices within the European Union (EU) and Android devices worldwide, marking a significant step forward for the company in its ongoing battle against Apple and Google's app store dominance. The game was kicked out by Apple and Google from their respective app stores after Epic attempted to circumvent the 30% fee with its own store in 2020. "Today the Epic Games Store is available for download on iPhones in the European Union and on Android devices worldwide. The store is launching with Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe and the all-new Fall Guys for mobile, and we are working to enable all developers to launch their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future. We are also bringing our games to independent mobile stores including AltStore PAL today," the video game maker announced. The company said that it is launching Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5, Season 4: Absolute Doom today (August 16). What Epic Games founder and CEO has to say Tim Sweeney, Epic Games founder and CEO, said that Fornite is now free from iOS. "#FreeFortnite status: Fortnite has been freed on iOS in Europe, thanks to the Digital Markets Act. Apple continues to block Fortnite from a billion players in the rest of the world, and the battle rages on to restore free market competition," he said. Epic Games has also partnered with alternative app stores like AltStore PAL to expand its reach and provide more options for gamers. This move is seen as a direct challenge to Apple and Google's app store monopolies. The video game company also noted that for now, the process of installing the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android is lengthy "due to Apple and Google introducing intentionally poor-quality install experiences laden by multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens." "We are continuing to fight in courts and work with regulators around the globe to eliminate the anticompetitive terms that Apple and Google impose on developers and consumers, so we can build a better store for everyone," it added. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.