During the highly anticipated State of Unreal 2024 event, Epic Games Store made a groundbreaking announcement that sent ripples through the gaming community. The digital game distribution platform revealed its upcoming availability on iOS and Android devices, marking a significant expansion of its reach and influence in the mobile gaming sphere.
Steve Allison, General Manager of Epic Games Store, unveiled the plan to launch the mobile app store by the end of the year on both Android and iOS platforms, alongside the highly popular game Fortnite for iPhone. In his address, Allison did not shy away from criticizing Apple and Google, emphasizing Epic's ongoing battle on behalf of all app developers.
Epic Games Store's contentious history with both platforms, particularly with legal battles over antitrust issues, has been well-documented. While Epic emerged victorious in its dispute with Google, its battle against Apple ended in defeat. However, recent developments in the European Union, particularly the Digital Markets Act (DMA), have provided some relief for users, compelling Apple to open up its ecosystem to allow sideloading of apps and the use of third-party app stores.
Despite facing obstacles, Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, remained vocal in his criticism of Apple's alleged non-compliance with the DMA. This led to temporary bans on Epic's account by Apple, which were swiftly reversed to avoid potential backlash from antitrust regulators in the EU. This pivotal moment allowed Epic to push forward with its plans to launch its mobile app store for iOS and Android.
Epic Games' vision for its mobile app store is ambitious, aiming to create a true multi-platform gaming store accessible on PC, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. The screenshots shared by Epic showcase an impressive artistic concept, promising users an intuitive browsing experience and seamless purchasing capabilities directly from their phones.
As Epic Games Store prepares to venture into the mobile gaming landscape dominated by Apple and Google, its expansion represents a game-changing move that could potentially disrupt the status quo. With its steadfast commitment to challenging industry norms and advocating for developer rights, Epic Games Store's foray into mobile platforms signals a new era of innovation and competition in the mobile gaming industry.