Online Gaming Returns for Mobile Users: Epic Games Store Now Accessible on iOS and Android Devices
Spicey Spill: The long-standing legal beef between Epic Games, Apple, and Google over app store restrictions is finally heating up. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is ready to serve his last Course A, as the Epic Games Store lands on Android and iOS — but American and international Fortnite fanatics will have to wait for their mobile gaming fix.
Epic Games announced their new mobile storefront with a sassy press release, available for download via their website. Expect a tutorial, too, for iOS and Android users seeking the extra app market. Installing the store on an iPhone means tweaking settings to allow downloads from the web, while Android phones throw a "File might be harmful" warning, — laughable considering the Floodgate of Play Store junk! You'll also need to adjust Android settings to accept downloads from the Epic Games Store.
Epic Games takes aim at both technology titans for the " intentionally dodgy-quality install experiences cluttered with extra steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens." Epic vows to continue battling Apple and Google's "anti-competitive terms" in court.
In 2018, Apple yanked Fortnite from the App Store, claiming Epic's in-game store breached policies. Google swiftly removed Fortnite from the Google Play Store, leaving players with limited options for mobile gameplay throughout early 2020s. flexibility to access other Epic exclusives like Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe.
Epic Games has also set up shop on the independent app marketplace AltStore PAL, granting developers funds to eliminate the €1.50 annual fee for users. AltStore developers revealed this week that Annual payments covered Cost Technology Fee costs.
Google faces domestic pushback for its Play Store practices, having lost a multi-year lawsuit to Epic. The jury labeled Google's App Store as an illegal monopoly, forcing Google to open doors to more third-party platforms on Android. We're eagerly awaiting a federal judge in California to roll out sweeping modifications to Google's app handling policies, which Google claims might usher in dangerous apps to users' phones.
In 2021, the European Commission prodded Apple to unlock a minuscule window in its notoriously restrictive walled garden, thanks to the Digital Markets Act. In June, the European Commission alleged Apple had already flouted the new act with its sticky app store policies. The EU could fine Apple up to €30 billion if found in violation. The U.S. has yet to pass a bill as stringent as the DMA, though federal officials sued Apple in June regarding its hefty 30% App Store fee.
While E.U. iPhone users can savor the warm breeze of freedom, U.S. users, unfortunately, must remain on lockdown—at least for now. Google's Search monopoly attracts scrutiny in the U.S., with the Department of Justice contemplating chopping Google into pieces. Before Teddy Roosevelt took a bite, the Feds might also force Google to surrender a bigger slice of its digital pie to rivals.
- Epic Games has made a drastic move in the tech industry by setting up shop on the AltStore PAL, a move that could potentially disrupt the app market.
- The legal beef between Epic Games, Apple, and Google over app store restrictions is expected to lead to epic court battles, with Epic vowing to continue battling the tech giants' anti-competitive terms.
- In a bid to improve user experience, Epic Games criticized Apple and Google for intentionally dodgy-quality install experiences and called for ref_src improvements in their app handling policies.
- The future looks promising for tech enthusiasts as Wednesday sees the introduction of Epic Games' new mobile storefront, offering apps like Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe, but with a twist of new challenges in adjusting device settings.
