The war of access to Epic Games titles -- including Fortnite, Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe -- on mobile devices has escalated, with new options for gamers. The company on Friday said it's launching its Epic Games Store on Android devices worldwide and is giving users instructions on how to install it on iOS devices in Europe, where Apple can't block its installation.
The game publisher, which has been at war with Apple for years over App Store fees and restrictions, is making good on its promise from earlier this year to bring its Epic Game Store to iPhones in Europe, after Apple backed down on blocking it in that region. Europe has more stringent anticompetition and privacy laws for tech companies than the US does, and that's opened the door for Epic to offer its Game Store there.
But the process isn't as easy as finding the Epic Game Store in Apple's App Store. You'll have to go through a multistep process to get it onto your iOS devices. Epic Games posted a YouTube video showing how to do that.
Epic is also making its Game Store available worldwide on Android devices, but the company complained in its announcement that both iOS and Android platforms are cumbersome for users. (The company has done legal battle with Google as well over its handling of the Play Store.)
"For now, the process of installing the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android is lengthy due to Apple and Google introducing intentionally poor-quality install experiences laden by multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens," Epic said. "We are continuing to fight in courts and work with regulators around the globe to eliminate the anticompetitive terms that Apple and Google impose on developers and consumers, so we can build a better store for everyone."
In addition to these launches, Epic Games is offering its mobile games on the AltStore PAL platform, a game storefront available in European countries for iOS devices, and has plans to launch on Aptoide's iOS app in Europe and One Store for Android as well as other third-party stores.
Neither Apple nor Google immediately responded to requests for comment.