Jan 24, 2025

Epic Games to expand mobile game marketplace by adding third-party games 24/01/2025 Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, announced plans to expand its mobile game marketplace by adding 19 third-party games on Android devices globally and 16 games on iOS devices within the European Union. This move marks a significant step for Epic’s push to challenge the dominance of Google and Apple’s app stores. Epic video game Fortnite A New Era for Mobile Gaming Epic launched its mobile game store in 2024, aiming to bypass the hefty fees — up to 30 percent — charged by Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store on in-app purchases. This approach allows Epic to create an alternative marketplace that promotes competition and provides developers with greater control over revenue, Reuters news report said. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, emphasized the company’s vision: “We are opening up the Epic Games Store to mobile games from third parties, starting with a small catalog and expanding over time to a very big catalog. Our aim isn’t just to launch a bunch of different stores but to build a single cross-platform store.” Free Games Program and Developer Support As part of its expansion strategy, Epic plans to launch a free-games program on its mobile store. This initiative will start with popular titles like Bloons TD 6 and Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee. To support developers participating in the program within Europe, Epic will temporarily cover Apple’s core technology fee of €0.50 ($0.52) per app after surpassing 1 million installs. This move underscores Epic’s commitment to providing developers with a more equitable platform. Reentry into Major App Stores Epic’s marketplace app gained approval in the European Union last year, marking a turning point after years of legal disputes with Apple and Google over app store policies. Epic previously criticized the limited choices available for downloading gaming apps, claiming this stifled competition. Following nearly four years of being banned, Fortnite has also returned to iPhones in the EU and Android devices globally, further boosting Epic’s presence on mobile platforms. Growth and Challenges Despite its ambitious goals, Epic Games reported 29 million users for its mobile store by the end of 2024, falling short of its initial target of 100 million users. The company continues to focus on growth and innovation, leveraging its widely-used computer graphics software, Unreal Engine, to attract developers and expand its game offerings. Epic’s long-term goal is clear: to create a unified, cross-platform marketplace that disrupts the existing app store ecosystem while offering developers and players a more competitive and accessible gaming experience. Tags