Fortnite Returns to Google Play Store After Legal Battle
After five years away, Fortnite is now available for download on Android devices through the Google Play Store. The popular game was removed from the store in 2020 due to a dispute between Epic Games and Google over in-app purchases.
Epic Games had introduced a way for players to make purchases within the game without going through Google, in an effort to reduce costs for players. This move led to legal battles between the two companies, resulting in Fortnite being removed from the Play Store.
While Android players were able to sideload the game onto their devices, downloading it directly from the Play Store is now an option for users in the US. Players outside the US are still unable to access the game through the official storefront.
The settlement between Epic Games and Google was reached in early November, with court approval still pending. Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, confirmed the game’s return to the Play Store in July.
The reintroduction of Fortnite to the Play Store coincided with the release of the season seven update, allowing players to enjoy the latest features and content. Meanwhile, Apple’s appeal in its own case against Epic Games was denied by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The court ruled that Apple should be able to charge a fee on purchases made outside of its App Store, but also suggested implementing a commission or fee limitation. Sweeney celebrated the ruling, stating that it marks the end of the “Apple Tax” in the USA and paves the way for fair competition in payments on iOS.
