Epic Video games has introduced numerous new updates to how Fortnite will likely be distributed on cellular gadgets, together with its deliberate elimination from the Samsung Galaxy Retailer and its addition to numerous different cellular storefronts in the close to future.
In a weblog submit at this time, Epic revealed that it could be bringing its cellular video games, together with Fortnite, to “different cellular shops that give all builders an awesome deal” and that it could be “ending distribution partnerships with cellular shops that function hire collectors with out competing robustly and serving all builders pretty, even when these shops supply us a particular deal for our personal video games.”
Sadly, Fortnite and our different video games will likely be leaving the Samsung Galaxy Retailer in protest of their new coverage of blocking side-loading. This variation obstructs customers from putting in competing shops and is a matter we fought and received in the US Epic v Google US antitrust trial.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 25, 2024
The submit particularly calls out EU and iOS-only storefront AltStore as considered one of the locations Epic Video games will quickly seem, including that it expects to announce assist for “no less than two different third-party shops quickly.” Moreover, Epic is making ready to convey its personal Epic Video games Retailer app to Android globally and iOS in the EU quickly.
Conversely, Fortnite will likely be eradicating Fortnite and its different video games from the Samsung Galaxy Retailer “in protest of Samsung’s anticompetitive resolution to block side-loading by default on Samsung Android gadgets.” That is associated to a current change to new Samsung telephones which can block sideloading apps by default – although customers can flip this perform off.
That is particularly notable on condition that means again in 2019, Epic and Samsung had been working collectively, with an exclusive themed skin being offered in Fortnite to Samsung Galaxy owners. That mentioned, relations do not appear to have absolutely soured between the two firms. In a tweet, CEO Tim Sweeney reassured that Epic will “proceed to assist Samsung gadgets absolutely and wholeheartedly now and in the future.”
Epic has lengthy used Fortnite as a key piece of leverage in ongoing authorized disputes over app retailer charges and laws. CEO Tim Sweeney is a vocal critic of storefronts similar to the App Retailer and Google Play taking 30% income cuts from builders, and has undergone a number of authorized challenges in efforts to bypass that lower through sideloading and bespoke retailer apps.
Epic’s battles in opposition to the main cellular storefronts have led to combined outcomes in opposition to Apple and Google respectively, and additional hurdles with Apple have arisen as Epic takes steps to convey its recreation retailer to iOS in the EU. Nonetheless, Epic seems to stay steadfast in retaining as a lot management as attainable over the distribution of its video games.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.