Epic Games Expands Gaming Ecosystem with Epic Games Store for Android
Epic Games is making waves with strategic initiatives aimed at diversifying its gaming ecosystem and engaging more deeply with both developers and education. Notably, the launch of the Epic Games Store for Android marks the company’s commitment to providing users with new avenues for gaming, particularly outside of traditional platforms like the Google Play Store.
Initially opened for third-party games only last month, the Epic Games Store for Android has quickly expanded its catalog. Launched with around 20 games, the platform now boasts over 30 titles as of mid-February. Among the newly added games are popular options like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Warface: GO. According to the latest updates, Android users can redeem key titles for free until March 20, showcasing Epic’s strategy to attract gamers and developers alike.
Epic Games’ Developer-Friendly Approach
What sets Epic Games apart is its philosophy of offering developers improved terms compared to other platforms. This approach aims to reshape the gaming marketplace, making it more favorable for creators who aspire to engage with audiences through innovative titles.
Simultaneously, Epic Games is deepening its ties with academia, evidenced by its recent Unreal Academic Partnership with the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). This partnership, one of just 36 across the U.S., reflects Epic’s intent to integrate its technology within higher education, particularly through the acclaimed Unreal Engine.
UNCG and Epic Games Forge Unreal Academic Partnership
Dr. John Borchert, director of the Network for the Cultural Study of Videogaming at UNCG, explains this initiative, stating, “The Unreal Academic Partnership…recognition by Epic Games…that we are leading the way with this kind of technology and…a strong partner with Epic Games.” This relationship is perceived as significant not just for educational institutions but for the broader gaming industry as well, with Dr. Borchert noting the dual benefit of enhancing student education and fostering innovation.
The Unreal Academic Partnership enables UNCG to offer its students cutting-edge curriculum grounded in real-world applications of Unreal Engine technology. The program, known as the Unreal Fellows, has prompted faculty to explore the use of this technology across various fields, showing how video gaming concepts can be applied to different industries such as architecture, advertising, and entertainment.
Preparing Students for Future Innovation
UNCG is committed to making these educational programs accessible, hoping to announce new majors dedicated to gaming studies and expanded minors, which include game design, esports, and detailed game studies. Borchert divulges, “These are both interdisciplinary programs built around three areas of study: game studies, game design… and esports studies.”
The implementation of these programs and partnerships underpins Epic Games’ broader aim to integrate its ecosystem not just within the confines of gaming, but throughout educational realms to prepare students for future innovation within the industry. This dual focus highlights Epic’s strategy—a commitment to cultivating both gaming talent and providing platforms for developers to flourish.