On Friday, the Epic Games Store launched on iOS in the EU and the Google Play Store worldwide, allowing players to easily play Fortnite on the phone for the first time in years. Autumn Boys And Rocket League Swipe Also take part in the Epic Games Store mobile offerings for iPhones, Android and AltStore PAL.
Epic announced the launch of the Epic Games Store app this morning, confirming: “We’re working to give all developers the ability to publish their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future. We’re also bringing our games to independent mobile stores today, including AltStore PAL.”
After four years, this is fantastic news for Epic and Fortnite Fans, but the story is far from over.
How does the new Epic Games Store work in the EU?
This solution for the EU was made possible by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which requires Apple to offer alternative app stores on iOS devices. However, due to some issues, this is not a perfect solution for companies or users.
The main problem for companies is Apple’s annual “core technology fee” of €0.50 per installation after the first million downloads. For Epic and other companies that operate a store, this means the fee applies to both the store app and any apps installed through that store. This dramatically shifts the cost of doing business for those who have to operate outside of Apple’s App Store. Unsurprisingly, the EU Commission is already investigating Apple’s solution to determine whether it complies with the Digital Markets Act.
From a user perspective, this likely means that companies will raise their prices to cover their increased costs, and it makes installing these apps even more complex. Currently, when you try to install the Epic Games Store, a pop-up window states that “to install the Epic Games Store on your iPhone, you must update to iOS 17.6 or later.” Epic’s FAQ, on the other hand, states that “iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later” are supported.
That last part is a bit of an obstacle. It’s better to have to update your iPhone to play Fortnite than not be able to play Fortnite at all.
What does this mean for iOS users in the US?
Officially, this resolution doesn’t mean much in terms of the dispute between Epic Games and Apple and the filing of the amicus brief with the FTC. However, the EU resolution means there could soon be a solution for US gamers. Even though European law doesn’t always hold water when brought across the Atlantic, it sets a precedent for Epic Games to use in its ongoing battle with Apple.
CEO and Founder of Epic Games Tim Sweeney The Epic Games Store app announcement states: “The tide is turning and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition. We are grateful to the European Commission for making it possible to launch the Epic Games Store and offer our games to iOS users in the European Union. Now European iOS users and Android users worldwide can access our store and games as they have always been able to on open platforms like PC and Mac. The battle is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can start to benefit from competition and choice.”
There is some hope that the Epic Games Store app will become available for iOS users in the US. After all, Epic won its antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2023, which is why the Epic Games Store app is available for Android users in the States.
We have to wait and see how the matter turns out in court.
Will other game stores also switch to mobile apps?
Some game stores already have mobile apps, but their functionality varies widely. Gamers have been able to use Steam on iOS and Android for years, but Steam games don’t work on your phone, so the app is mostly for messaging and browsing the Steam store on the go.
The Xbox and PlayStation apps are also available on mobile platforms, but suffer from similar issues. The iOS and Android versions of Xbox offer Xbox Remote Play over the internet, but you’ll need to connect a gaming controller like the Backbone to your phone to play games. You’ll also need to be on the same network as your console. The iOS and Android versions of PlayStation let you control your console from your smartphone, but Remote Play isn’t very convenient. Instead, to play your PlayStation games on the go, you’ll need the PS Remote Play app for iOS or Android, which suffers from the same controller and connection issues as the Xbox app, with the added annoyance of needing a separate application.
It would be nice if Epic Games would join other game stores that offer a fully functional library of mobile games specifically for mobile gaming, but for now, Epic is still a lone leader.
