After rumours circulating around the internet regarding Fortnite not being on the Google Play Store, Epic, today, confirmed that the game will instead be available through their official Fortnite website.
Although a release date has yet to be announced for Fortnite’s launch on Android devices, it is interesting to see to Epic opting out of the Google Play Store, a decision that most likely stems from Epic taking advantage of the nature of Android. Unlike Apple devices, Google allow’s Android users to download content even if it’s not certified or available on the Google Play Store. Furthermore, Epic choosing to distribute Fortnite from their own platform allows the company to circumvent the 30% cut that developers normally have to pay up to Google, for apps available on the Play Store.
Another reason Epic may have chosen to not launch Fornite through Google’s storefront is due to rumours that suggest Fortnite may launch as a 1-month long exclusive on Samsung’s latest flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
The Verge reached out for comment from Epic, in which CEO Tim Sweeney, stated, “Epic wants to have a direct relationship with our customers on all platforms where that’s possible, further adding, “The great thing about the Internet and the digital revolution is that this is possible, now that physical storefronts and middlemen distributors are no longer required.”
Sweeny went on to talk about Android in China, specifically the way in which apps are distributed through third-party vendors, such as Tencent’s Wechat and Xiaomi and how Epic is currently looking into how they will tackle launching Fortnite in that part of the world. Currently, Fortnite has a player base of over 125 million players, and that number is sure to expand with the imminent release of the Android version.
It will be interesting to see how successful launching outside of the Google Play Store will be for Epic, perhaps even starting another trend for future mobile game releases from bigger developers.
