Last week, Epic filed a new lawsuit against Google and Samsung in the Northern District of California for gatekeeping access to third-party app stores on Android devices. In a pretty swift decision, the court ruled in Epic’s favor and mandated that Google restructure its Play Store to allow third-party app stores access to the entire app catalog. This development comes nearly ten months after the same court ruled that Google holds a monopoly in the Android app distribution market and in-app billing services. Google will now be forced to allow third-party app stores to be publicly...
Over a month after Fortnite made its triumphant return to Android (worldwide) and iOS (in Europe) via the Epic Games Store, Epic is filing a new lawsuit against Google and Samsung in the Northern District of California. The new antitrust lawsuit alleges a coordinated effort between Google and Samsung to undermine third-party app stores like the Epic Games Store via Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” setting. That feature was the main reason why Epic removed its entire game library from the Galaxy Store back in July. Auto Blocker restricts devices running One UI 6.1.1 and up from sideloading...
Nearly four months after its initial launch, AltStore PAL is dropping its €1.50 subscription fee thanks to a “MegaGrant” from Epic Games. This means that users based in the European Union can now install the third-party app store on their iOS and iPadOS devices free of charge. GOOD NEWS EU 🇪🇺 For innovation in app distribution, Epic Games has granted us a MegaGrant grant that we plan to use to cover Apple’s Core Technology Fee going forward — and we won’t take it for granted!What does this mean? AltStore PAL is now FREE — no subscription necessary 🎉 pic.twitter.com/JSJo3FdhBx— AltStore.io...
Epic Games announced its new strategy for mobile app stores. The video game publisher is ending its distribution partnerships with mobile stores which it calls “rent collectors” and is instead opting to offer its games via the upcoming Epic Games Store to Android users worldwide and iOS users in the EU. Epic also announced it will bring its mobile game portfolio (including Fortnite) to the AltStore for iOS users in the EU. Epic also plans to expand to two more third-party stores soon. On the opposite side, Epic is removing its game library from the Samsung Galaxy Store due to...
Epic Games was stripped from its Apple developer account just as Apple opened up iOS to alternative app stores in the European Union as mandated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The news caught the attention of EU regulators which are now probing Apple over the exact causes for terminating Epic’s developer account. A European Commission spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that there is an ongoing investigation under the DMA where Apple will have to detail its actions and reasons for terminating Epic Games’ developer account. Apple and Epic Games have a long and complex history which...
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) will allow iOS app developers to finally distribute their apps via alternative app stores across the 27 member states. Epic Games announced its plans to bring its Epic Games Store to European shores but it seems those plans will not pan out for now as Apple has terminated Epic’s developer account. Epic Games was deemed “verifiably untrustworthy” by Apple in a letter sent to the gaming developer by Cupertino's lawyers. Epic's press release even shows direct e-mail correspondences between Tim Sweeny and Apple executives Phil Schiller and...
Epic Games captured a notable win in the District Court of Northern California against Google. The jury determined that Google does indeed have monopoly power in the Android app distribution markets and in-app billing services. The court decision comes three years since Epic Games filed its initial complaint after its hit game Fortnite was removed from the Play Store due to Epic’s bypassing of Google app store fees on in-app purchases aka the “Google tax”. Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are...
Epic Games captured a notable win in the District Court of Northern California against Google. The jury determined that Google does indeed have monopoly power in the Android app distribution markets and in-app billing services. The court decision comes three years since Epic Games filed its initial complaint after its hit game Fortnite was removed from the Play Store due to Epic’s bypassing of Google app store fees on in-app purchases aka the “Google tax”. Today’s verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are...