Epic Games has today launched its own app store on iOS and Android.
The store is live now and features flagship game Fortnite, plus Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe.
But there’s a catch, particularly for iOS users. The Epic Games Store is only available in the EU for iPhone owners, and as Epic Games states in its announcement blog:
“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 has released two videos for iOS and Android users to explain how to install the Epic Games Store depending on your device. It also said that it is “working to enable all developers to launch their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future.”
Fortnite, Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe have also been released today on indie alternative app store AltStore PAL, but again that store is only available to players in the EU on iOS.
Epic boss Tim Sweeney said as part of the announcement: “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,” he continued.
“Now European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games, as they’ve always been able to do on open platforms like PC and Mac. The fight is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can begin to benefit from competition and choice.”
Over on LinkedIn, Epic Games GM Steve Allison said that Epic plans to welcome third party games to the store in Q4, and voiced his own disappointment at the user flow required for players to download the store, calling it an “awful 12-15 step install process”.
“The process is designed to make users quit before getting to the end and it sucks. That said it’s not going to stop us moving forward,” he continued. “We’re leading with our games now to pull through as many Epic Games Store mobile installs as possible prior to welcoming third party games to EGS in Q4.”
“After players are pulled through the install friction getting additional apps is familiar 1-2 step install process for players and we want to set up our third party partners for success.”
“Developers: let’s work together to bring financial health back to our projects with expanded margins.”
